Passion for Patterns...English Country Style

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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Wow...I can hardly believe that we are already into the month of March.
  It won't be long till spring comes dancing her way into our lives.  Ohhh...how
 I love springtime!
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...but...
back to reality
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It is still very much winter here in colorful Colorado...and will be for a
couple more months.  My home is still dressed in it's "winter frocks" providing
 warmth and comfort against the cold winter temps. 
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After Valentine's day, I changed out the decor in our dining room...so I
 thought I would share that with you today.  I hope that you enjoy!
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Here we are...in my dining room...winter 2012.

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~English Country Style~

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I have to tell you...

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I have departed...at least temporarily...from the French Country decor style
 that you usually see in my dining room...to more of an "English Country" look and
 feel.  Ohhh...I really do love both design styles and I seem to waver back and
 forth between the two.

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"Passion for Patterns"

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The decor in my dining room began with an English Country design aesthetic...
with deep, rich color, layers of fabric that host a mixture of pretty patterns.  I really
 do have a "passion for patterns"...very indicitive of English Country design.  I found an
 excerpt from Home Style Online Magazine that offers a wonderful description of
 what English Country design is.
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As you can see...my dining room shares several of the design
 elements found in  English Country decor.

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The Dining Room Buffet...

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Dressed in the warm, rich colors of tradional English Country...with florals

 and fruit reflecting the ambiance of the English countryside.

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A Warm Winter's Vignette...English Country Style

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Layering, Lighting and Linens...

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Two lamps flank either end of the buffet.  Lighting...a "must have"...element

 in keeping with the English County decor style.  The lamps with their pretty, dangling

 crystals are "grounded" by an embroidered table runner done in an olive, dark red,

 and gold color palette.  I love the long fringe on the runner and how it drapes

 over the edges of the buffet!

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Now that the basics have been provided for...the "layering" begins. 

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Creating an interesting vignette is much like telling a story or painting a

 beautiful picture.  The picture that I hoped to paint for my winter buffet vignette

 is one of warmth, using rich colors and textures...and bringing in elements

 from the English countryside.

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Florals and Fruit...

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A tall urn filled with artichoke looking blooms and vining ivy sits

 front and center in this buffet vignette.

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The cluster of grapes trailing down the side of the urn brings a bit

 of the English countryside into the vignette.

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More fruit...a single pear under glass!

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Masonry...Bringing More of the Countryside In

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A single masonry candleholder paired with a pretty masonry bowl

 brings more of the countryside "in".

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I found this beautiful masonry bowl at one of my favorite antique shops.  Love, love,

 LOVE the band of roses that seem to be dancing around the edge!

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Another little corner of my dining room.

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Our wood burning stove is a "God-send" during the long, cold winters here in

 Colorado.  As you can see...the wood bin is full and ready for a fire!

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Plate Wall...

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I love red transferware and white ironstone and have a few pieces displayed

 on the wall behind the wood stove. I think the plate wall brings a nice "point of

 interest" into the dining room. Decorating with beautiful plates is always a great

 option...whether it be English Country or French Country design.

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Layered Patterns...

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Just thought I would show you a close-up of the table coverings.  I layered

 a gold (English Country) floral patterned tablecloth over a solid gold tablecloth...lots

 of layers!  The corners of the white table are peeking through.  I really like

 this look!

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I love how the floral pattern of the tablecloth looks with the pattern of the

 well-worn rug!  This may seem "busy" to some, however layering different patterns

 with one another is indicitive of English Country design.

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The opposite wall...across from the buffet.

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I added a few floral patterned pillows to the bench!  The secret to

 combining different patterns...is staying within the same "colorway".  All

 of the different patterns in this room are in keeping with the same

 olive, red, and gold color palette.

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I used this same rule in mixing different patterns in my Tea Rose bedroom.

  If you would like to see that...just click HERE.

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And...there you have it!
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A warm winter's vignette...
English Country style!

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I hope that you enjoyed!  It won't be long and I will changing

 my dining room's decor for something "lighter"...ready to welcome the

 spring season in!

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I am joining these fabulous parties...

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Open House Party...hosted by Sherry over at No Minimalist Here.

Home Sweet Home Party...hosted by Sherry over at The Charm of Home.

Feathered Nest Friday...hosted by Courtney over at French Country Cottage.

Potpourri Friday...hosted by Honey over at "2805".

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Thank you, ladies...for hosting these lovely parties for us!

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Well my friends...I'm so happy that you stopped by for a visit today!

  Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here.  I would

 love to visit with you!

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Warmest Wishes!

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