topic Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE in Home

ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Oznell — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:57:50 GMT

Most of us (especially us design nerds) know English cottage style when we see it; it's pretty unmistakable. But One King's Lane did a fun little mini-tutorial illustrated with pictures that I find irresistable.

This little den above hits many of the familiar markers-- relaxed upholstery, a bountifully skirted round table; sprightly classic patterns like paisleys, florals, vines; books and the de rigeur porcelains; botanical prints; a touch of the exotic in accessories; blankets and pillows for comfort. Adds up to that almost tangible quality of coziness.

Toile de jouy might be the rage in France, but that doesn't stop the Brits from loving it! Talk about a cozy English bedroom.

Plaids, mixed patterns, geographic art, and sweet, lounging pups, check! (I always hope that a zebra floor rug is one of the many convincing "faux" zebra rugs, and not the real thing).

More 'Old Blighty' hallmarks-- color, whether strong or pastel; horse and equestrian themes, humorous, often "editorial-style" art prints, spindle legs, brass lamps, and of course glorious antique rugs. A slightly more 'citified' English country look.

A close-up showing more Brit preoccupations-- dogs, of course; chunky, earthy lamps; printed lampshades; whimsical touches, like a tiny brass peacock...

They even link to a slightly more modern version of English cottage. Still unmistakable:

Here's their little summary to recognition of the style:

Hallmarks of English Cottage Style

• Patterned wallpaper, ideally a floral or a toile.
• English arm sofas or armchairs.
• Staffordshire dogs.
• Spindle-leg furniture.
• Pillows and throws with plaid, floral, paisley, or other classic prints.
• Wedgwood, Cornishware, and Willow china.
• Pleated lampshades; extra points if they’re patterned.
• Prints of dogs, horses, or dogs and horses.
• Skirted tables.
• A patina of age and wear—nothing should look freshly purchased, even if it was.

All that is well and good, but one of my favorite, authentic distillations of the style is found in the famous Welsh country house of Jane Ormsby-Gore. You history buffs will remember her. An "it" girl of the go-go Sixties:

And even more famously, the daughter of Lord Harlech, David Ormsby-Gore:

He was Britain's ambassador to the U.S., and a close friend of John and Jacqueline Kennedy. After his wife and JFK had both died, he became even closer to Jackie and was at one point her suitor, just before Onassis:

History digression over. Back to Jane Ormsby-Gore's celebrated English style. Her cottage-y rooms have been photographed over and over, partly because they so perfectly epitomize this warm English look:

This vignette could not be anywhere but in Britain! Note the antique fireplace bellows. Love that sweet baby cuddling up in the chair.

The green wall color has a very evocative name-- it's "Arsenic" by Farrow and Ball! Ormsby-Gore's sitting room wall color has been very influential in Britain, and copied by others for their rooms. Bold Brits!

And, a breath of fresh air, she gets to dine in cheerful, conservatory-like surroundings.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

PamfromCT — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:12:51 GMT

@Oznell, Thank you for the beautiful pics and for defining exactly how English style is determined. Helps for those of us who would like a touch of it to our homes.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Sooner — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:38:27 GMT

Laura Ashley. The 1980's. I remember it well. It was the "clutter" decade! LOL!!! I had a big chintz chair and a set of English hunting prints from the 1880's.

I used to love it. Now I associate it with dust, but perhaps that is just my 1980's English Cottage on the Prairie. There were lots of ducks around also. Even large concrete geese that had various clothing items that were changed seasonally as they presided over porches and walkways everywhere.

Thanks for all the pretty pictures. It was fun to look. For more, see any Southern Living Christmas Book from the 80's--this look and farmhouse/homespun variations!

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

DREAMON — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:42:02 GMT

Lovely and I would change very little if I were the owner.

The green toile wallpaper is not appealing to me and the red paint color is not for me...easy changes.

I really like the aqua bedroom and the conservatory dining room but the room with the zebra rug is my favorite.

This surprises me....maybe the black and white dog completes the look.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

spiderw — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:13:08 GMT

I find so much appeal in every picture. The rooms are filled with beautiful furnishings, warmth, so much lovely decor and all so inviting. I love the bedroom with the couch and chairs placed in it, I have always wanted a bedroom that size to accommodate seating. The room with the blue chair in the corner and stunning red colored rug looks so comfy and I would find that my place to relax and read. I also like the dining room setting full of light and so attractive.

All in all I love the design and style of the rooms, thanks for the enjoyable pictures!!!!!!

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

on the bay — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:06:08 GMT

I like so much of this. Not so much the olive greens but most of everything else. And those 2 dogs!

These to me look like what I imagine an English cottage to be-not too much, so classic, elegant and comfort everywhere.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Patriot3 — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 00:57:03 GMT

Nice pics. Really like the den and bedrooms.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Oznell — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 11:32:19 GMT

@Sooner, agreed, Laura Ashley was fiendishly clever in sort of pointing people in a direction and mass-marketing a sweetly gauzey, "coordinated" version of the look. I tend to prefer the older, more faded and 'schlumpey' English cottage feeling, of centuries past, ha. That's what I like about old-school Ormsby-Gore and Ana Astor, and others. But even some of them gave in to some extent, and happily used some of the Ashley fabrics, at least...

Ha, ha, @DREAMON , that black and white doggie does give the finishing touch!

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Sooner — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:17:45 GMT

OH good! Now I have a style! 'schlumpey'!

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Oznell — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:28:20 GMT

Ha, ha, not you, cosmopolitan @Sooner -- I'd never believe that!

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

stevieb — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 16:14:44 GMT

Though I do like the space, some of the pillows and the stools, the English Country vibe is sort of lacking for me in that first picture, thanks to the too modern looking chair and coffee table. Otherwise, there are some lovely rooms and elements here. I enjoy aspects of English Country and seem always to incorprate a few in most of my rooms, without adopting the overall look. Among other things, I very much like the toile bedroom and the 'poison' green paint color. The choice is very similar to the color in some of my major rooms.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

AuntG — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 16:20:58 GMT

Always enjoy reading all of your thoughts on decorating.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Katcat1 — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:15:05 GMT

I love it all except for the large print wallpaper in the 2nd picture. Delicate pattern would be more pleasing to me. This would be my summer cottage. I would like sitting in the morning drinking my coffee looking out at the lake. Tea would be in the afternoon.

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Oznell — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:38:33 GMT

@stevieb, how neat that you have a similar green in some of your rooms. I love that green-- it's rich without being too much, (to my eye), it's fresh but enveloping, and it seems that most objects look great with that color as a backdrop....

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

Sooner — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 18:09:31 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Ha, ha, not you, cosmopolitan @Sooner -- I'd never believe that!

@Oznell Now THAT gets a big laugh from me!

Re: ENGLISH COTTAGE STYLE

wilma — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 18:32:17 GMT

I'm not really a fan of printed wallpaper or some of the prints and items used in English cottage style, but I do like a few rooms. As always, thanks @Oznell for always posting such interesting threads in the Home Forum.

My favorite rooms:

Looks very cozy and comfy

Very soothing and relaxing

I love the windows, greenery, & flowers! I don't mind the red paint and print tablecloth, but I'd prefer solid chair cushions.