What constitutes an archetypal country home?
Roses or wisteria growing around a pastel-painted front door? Traditional brickwork and beautiful bay windows? Or a pastoral view from the back of the house? On the inside, perhaps it’s wooden beams that reveal years of long-forgotten history, or a large inglenook fireplace that warms the living room. A timeless farmhouse kitchen to welcome all those large family gatherings will no doubt top many a list, together with an array of rustic upcycling projects filling various rooms around the home.
The beauty of social media today, despite its widely discussed flaws, is the bird’s eye view it offers into other people’s homes. From the contemporary to the traditional, sharing our homes on this popular platform has grown exponentially in recent years. So much so in fact, that there is almost too much choice, too much inspiration to garner and gather for our own modest dwellings. Not only do these tiny squares provide us with a wealth of interiors inspiration then, but they’re perfect for seeking tips, tricks and new ideas too. For influencing an idea in the kitchen or a clever DIY hack for the living room.
From traditional country cottages to complete renovation projects, the more contemporary country homes to the ones to watch, we’ve compiled a list of a few of our favourite Instagram accounts – perfect for a little inspiration as we head into 2019.
Country Cottages
For charming country cottage inspiration – with large farmhouse tables, AGAs, rolltop baths and surrounding countryside – here are three accounts we think are worth a follow if you’re an advocate for those timeless and traditional interiors with plenty of character.
Residing within the hills of Exmoor, Daisy and Co from @mudwelliesandmoor take us on a bucolic journey that includes their beautiful country home – complete with AGA and inglenook fireplace. A perfect account to follow for a slice of the good life.
With a true country farmhouse kitchen, Sally and her family’s beautiful home, @brickkilnhouse, is light, bright and airy with traditional features and pretty finishing touches.
Nestled in a small village on the outskirts of Northampton, Maria’s home is the epitome of a quaint country cottage. With pretty pastels throughout and rustic homely touches, you can take a peek inside this beautiful home over on our blog.
Renovation Projects
If you’re in the midst of a renovation project or looking to embark on a little decorating in the new year, we’ve popped together a few of our favourite country-inspired fixer-uppers on Instagram.
Renovating their beautiful country home in Surrey after moving from the big smoke, Kerry (@stripesandsage) – whilst planning her wedding – is making time to decorate too. With plenty of country character and bundles of contemporary charm, follow her renovation journey for elegant interiors inspiration.
Restoring their 1890’s home, Beth and husband Ben moved here in September 2017. With rich emerald greens, an impressive inglenook fireplace and plenty of character, @balletbeesandtheoldbakery is definitely a home to follow in 2019 if you like a splash of colour and modern country charm.
For the vintage and upcycling lovers amongst us, Rebecca’s quaint English cottage blends contemporary styling with plenty of rustic touches. If you’re looking for attainable and inexpensive DIY suggestions together with bundles of covetable country charm, @littlemosscottage is a renovation account to follow for the new year.
Ones to Watch
Whether you’ve heard of a few of the accounts above, or following a few of them already, we thought we would put together a list of three home interiors accounts we think may become even more popular in 2019. From a renovation project to a French-inspired home and nearly 300-year old cottage, each boasts a unique and covetable style.
Blending lots of homely rustic touches with a contemporary colour palette, Anna from @hall_farm_cottage is undoubtedly a house to follow in 2019. With a beautifully cosy living room that adopts a darker colour scheme with pops of mustard to tongue and groove panelling and lots of foliage, we can’t wait to see the kitchen renovation unfold!
Perhaps one of the most distinctive homes on the list, Marie’s neutral home blends traditional French country charm with a subtle nautical touch. Making the most of white and greys with timeless prints such as gingham and ticking stripe, follow @shuttersandstripes if you’re looking to create a more mindful, relaxing and elegant home to retreat to in 2019.
With a cottage that dates back to 1773, Kim’s beautiful home exudes timeless country charm. With a traditional farmhouse-style kitchen complete with butler sink and flagstone flooring, the finishing touches are what makes this home such a wonderful one to follow for the new year.
Contemporary Country
For those homes that perfectly blend classic country styling with contemporary charm, mixing the old with the new and the traditional with the modern – we think these three accounts are ideal whatever the age of your home may be.
Having visited Katy’s Berkshire home for our Home Tour Series (blog post coming soon!), hers is a house that really exudes a modern country feel. With country-inspired touches in every room, the neutral colour palette used throughout brings a modern, luxurious feel. What’s more, Katy is a dab hand at upcycling too!
The Old Post Office, nestled in the heart of the Nottinghamshire countryside, is another home that mixes traditional country charm with more modern touches. Embracing a darker colour scheme with plenty of natural and wooden finishes, we’re looking forward to seeing more of this contemporary country home in 2019.
Undergoing a full renovation and extension from when they first bought the house in 2016, this beautiful Victorian end terrace in Yorkshire offers plenty of interiors inspiration. From a magnificent open-plan kitchen to plenty of country-inspired touches dotted in between, we love the mix of neutral colours and rustic styling in @no14hectorshouse – and we think you will too!
So there we have it. Whether you’re already in full renovation mode, planning to decorate one or two rooms come the new year, or simply love to scroll and save for a future project, we hope you’ll find a little inspiration within the walls of these 12 beautiful homes.
As always, there are so many more homes we would love to include, so if there’s one or two that are your favourite for country charm and interiors inspiration, please leave them below!
