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[Oznell]

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.

[PamfromCT]

@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.  

[Sooner]

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!  

[DREAMON]

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.

[spiderw]

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!!!!!!

[on the bay]

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.

[Patriot3]

Nice pics.  Really like the den and bedrooms.

[Oznell]

@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! 

[Sooner]

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

[Oznell]

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