Move over chintz and blowsy florals - it's time to consider a modern approach to country style

As a race, we know a thing or two about making the best of sun-scarce days, writes Carol O’Callaghan.

Don’t we go to the beach in July with grey clouds overhead once the rain has stopped, dolled up in our wetsuits?

Now that lights are on by 8.30pm and there’s a cutting chill in the air, it’s hard to resist the impulse to hibernate.

If you’re daydreaming of cosiness, and already curling up with books and a blanket, a country interior might be the look for you. Not one that’s necessarily focussed on winter, but one which works with the changing seasons, with a modern feel, free from the risk of planting one flowery cushion too many on the sofa, so the whole interior doesn’t scream 1980’s Laura Ashley time-capsule.

To give it all the comfort we associate with the country look, but with the style of a modern interior, the approach has to be the ‘low-fat’ version, free of clichéd blowsy florals, chintzy pattern, tasselled pelmets and potpourri. The idea is to aim for a balance between homely and relaxed with oodles of style.

Wood features large, and if you have an interior which already has the country look in its structure — beams, panelling or other wooden elements — keep any furniture additions to similar tones.

Add in references to nature, checking yourself to make sure you’ve steered clear of the dreaded blowsy florals, and opting for textiles with the in-vogue look of wildflowers and leaf patterns. Intersperse them with images of woodland creatures — foxes, rabbits and birds among them. Even though these can be bought on the high street quite affordably, they’ll give your style an artisan feel.

If that’s all a bit too calm and studied, a more bohemian look offers something with a touch of spontaneity. It’s pattern happy but without the typical chintz, and it encourages colour, although the background ought to be neutral so the feeling of relaxation you’ll working so hard to achieve succeeds.

Scale is essential. For example, a small design on a cushion will complement another cushion with a large and contrasting design.

There might be an understandable urge to avoid grey as we have so much of it in our natural light, especially in autumn and winter, but as the colour becomes more an interior design staple and is now regarded as part of the palette of neutrals, the warmer versions have a glow to offer as long as the urge to add accent colour is resisted. Keep that for other looks.

Here we’re all about modern country, aiming for subtlety which could include rattan, sheepskin rugs, subtle textures and more sophisticated patterns like stripes. If you’re in the midst of a renovation job consider some rough finishes too, with exposed brick or stone, but not too much as we’re then into the rough luxe look which is a another topic for another day.

Mixing old and new furniture works in all environments and plays especially well in country style. Even items not originally purposed for use in domestic situations, such as filing cabinets, machinists’ benches and storage units from industrial premises, work really well when reinvigorated as bedside lockers and extra kitchen storage. These can be quite shabby, which is fine if you like that sort of thing, but manufacturers have jumped on the trend for industrial chic and now make immaculate versions, which offer something quirky while being practical and pristine.

Mid 20th-century designs continue to be popular and have inspired a decade of design. It’s a look which fits into the country interior and works with traditional and antique pieces as long as these have a fuss-free profile.

No crusty Victorian chair and piano legs here please, but by all means a 1930s, ’40s or ’50s wardrobe picked up in a house clearance depot will look perfectly at home, especially if it has the patina of age to make it more interesting.

These options also help to settle modern items into your home that could otherwise jar with a country interior.

Certain colours are trending right now — mustard, dark greens and pinks, which will give you an up-to-date look, but you’re really better off with colour to which you are naturally drawn as you’ll live with them a lot longer than something trend led which you’ll tire of sooner than you think.