Something Topical... Contemporary Country

On a recent episode of House Rules, the style of Contemporary Country was challenged!

In my opinion, the result was dysfunctional and in some instances, distasteful.

The words ‘Contemporary’ and ‘Country’ seemed to be acknowledged quite clearly in most rooms, but did not blend in any room. Whilst I did not watch the episode from start to finish, I caught the tail end revealing the result and the showing the client’s reaction.

We can take a bit of one style, and blend it into another style, but the key word here is blend.

It is not going to work if you install modern sleek and glossy kitchen cabinetry with a wagon wheel suspended from the ceiling! It is not going to work installing a pressed tin splashback with bright bold colours and lighting that has no hint of a past. You can achieve Contemporary Country by reflecting ‘old world/treasured’ elements with new surfaces and colours in a modern layout. Notice the style of cabinet doors in the image below.

The Shaker Style evolved in history to create simple minimalist lines, honest design and utility. This style fits very well in a Country Style kitchen. A modern, but muted colour palette, an open floorplan, and modern floors mixed with open shelving and display cabinets results in a Contemporary Country style Kitchen.

Contemporary Country is fresh and cosy. A muted colour palette (unlike the wall colour in the entrance hallway of the client’s home in the above show!) mixed with natural elements of timber and stone, for instance, all combined with simple clean lines, fresh fabrics and styled furniture.,ie a Wing Back Chair in a traditional style fabric paired with a large scale modern sofa or modular.

It’s jute Wool rugs, paired with metallic finishes in occasional furniture and lighting.