A good country house radiates tradition and old-fashioned comfort – a roaring fireplace, a deep armchair to sink into, a soft carpet and a liberal helping of chintz – but there’s no need for it to become dated and fussy. The new generation of country interiors keeps this style modern, by using muted colour palettes, simple furniture, and clean lines. If you want the feel of an English country house with all its heritage and serenity, minus the frills and frippery, take a look through our best-loved examples of modern country design.
You may also like: Get the Soho House Look
- EXPOSED STONEIn this converted Cotswolds barn, designer Pippa Paton has combined modern design with natural materials to create a minimalist haven that maintains its rural identity. In the sitting room, clean lines and bright white furnishings contrast with textured elements and artefacts. The fossils, cogs and tools on the mantelpiece were all found in the garden.ELSA YOUNG
- OLIVE AND WOODA design ethos of timelessness combined with simplicity and sophistication characterises Arnaud Zannier’s collection of hotels, and his family home. The elegant rural villa not far from Aalter, between Ghent and Bruges, is styled with a wealth of organic materials lending it depth and warmth. The library adjoins the living room, which has plenty of shelving to display books and family photographs.MICHAEL SINCLAIR
- WOOD BURNERThe cabins at Soho Farmhouse are built using reclaimed board cladding and feature indoor relaxing spaces such as this sitting area with a log burner. A variety of textures make the room feel even cosier, and the reclaimed wooden door is appealingly rustic.
- CONVERTED STABLESA stables which Maria Speake of Retrouvius restored at a Georgian farmhouse in the Chilterns is now the husband’s study and used as overspill for guests. Neutral tones, modern furniture, and plenty of exposed wood make this the perfect contemporary country space.