| With its emphasis on hand-crafted natural materials, | | | | woodwork - doors, architraves, baseboards, |
| informality, and simplicity, the country bedroom is | | | | wainscoting, and picture rails - a rich color to |
| stylishly restful and refreshing. | | | | counteract the impersonality of white or off white. |
| The hallmarks of the country bedroom - natural | | | | Varying the density of this color from paneling to |
| materials, unfussy and practical furnishings, airiness, | | | | architraves, reveals, and baseboards is typical. |
| restrained but rich color schemes, and a commitment | | | | Consider high-level stencils and friezes with simple |
| to comfort - create an environment that is perfectly | | | | geometric motifs or motifs based on fruit, flowers, or |
| conducive to rest and relaxation at any time of day. | | | | leaves; grapes, pomegranates, pineapples, willow and |
| Whether stripped, stained, varnished, or painted, wood | | | | oak leaves, and tulips are all authentic. |
| features heavily in country schemes as floor and wall | | | | Floors: Wide, stripped pine floorboards are ideal, but if |
| surfaces, furniture, and smaller decorative objects. | | | | your house doesn't already have them, modern |
| Other natural raw materials such as cane, wicker, and | | | | wood-look floor covering strips make an acceptable |
| cotton play supporting roles. Colors such as teal blue, | | | | alternative. You can use subtle paint effects, perhaps |
| creamy yellow, conifer green, and rich Indian red are | | | | even a stencil around the edge to mimic a rug. Hooked, |
| traditional, used on their own to cover broad expanses | | | | crocheted, knitted, or braided rugs, and embroidered |
| of wall, or in small doses to give character to large | | | | needlepoint rugs, or Berlinwork with rose motifs, look |
| expanses of white or pale neutrals. Furniture has a | | | | perfect and make walking barefoot comfortable. Plain |
| timeless practicality, based on a mixture of Shaker | | | | or striped, inexpensive cotton, hand-woven rag rugs |
| simplicity, American Colonial elegance, and a hint of | | | | can work equally well. Although not strictly authentic, |
| toned down Victorian. Generously stuffed cushions, | | | | wall-to-wall carpets in near white or neutral tones |
| pillows, and quilts ensure that comfort is high on the list | | | | won't detract from the look, provided they aren't too |
| of priorities. | | | | sumptuous or shaggy. |
| Ornamentation, from stencils to children's toys, is - in | | | | Windows: As the look depends on plenty of natural |
| appearance if not in actuality - handcrafted. Likewise, | | | | light, make the most of windows. Outline small |
| fabrics have a slightly rough, homespun appeal, and | | | | windows in the same color as baseboards and picture |
| patchworks and samplers continue the hand-crafted | | | | rails; you can paint wooden window frames, reveals, |
| theme. The look is mildly eclectic rather than highly | | | | and sills, or simply apply a band of color to the wall |
| coordinated, but never chaotic - everything has its | | | | surrounding the window. White-painted internal louvers, |
| rightful place. | | | | wooden Venetian blinds, and plain, checked or striped |
| Creating the Look | | | | fabric shades are fine for the look. If privacy is a |
| Walls: Whether they are plastered, papered, or | | | | problem, or the view is far from leafy and rural, hang |
| tongue-and-groove paneled, keep walls plain. | | | | simple white net or muslin curtains. A little swag made |
| Combining low-level, tongue-and-groove paneling with a | | | | from patchwork fabric adds a pretty finishing touch on |
| plain painted surface above is traditional. Consider | | | | its own or with another window treatment. |
| narrow, vertical tongue-and-groove paneling up to | | | | Lighting: For practicality, have several light sources: |
| wainscoting level if funds allow, with wide, horizontal | | | | low-level, sited near to the bed for night reading, plus |
| tongue-and-groove paneling above, or vice versa. The | | | | wall-hung and/or ceiling-hung for general illumination. |
| paneling can be left natural, stained, or painted in solid, | | | | Candles in sconces, freestanding or wall-hung, add to |
| matte tones. | | | | the mood; electric lights mimicking candles are useful |
| Patterned wallpapers are unsuitable, as are chalky | | | | as well as attractive. Table lamps with simple shades |
| ice-cream pastel colors such as light pinks, blues, and | | | | in checked, striped, or plain fabrics, and earthenware |
| mauves. Earth colors, natural dye colors, off-white, and | | | | bases, such as old jugs, are ideal. Victorian-style brass |
| white are ideal for the look - the latter two especially | | | | table and floor lamps with translucent glass shades, or |
| for small bedrooms. For an authentic touch, paint the | | | | plain, small contemporary lights, also suit the look. |