3/08/2012

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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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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40 comments:

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

English Country is my favorite style and I don't plan to wander anytime soon! Your rooms are all beautiful! love the plate display!

Nancy

podso said...

Chari I love the flowered tablecloth over the gold one. Such a pretty pattern. And your plate wall is lovely--how did you arrange it all so beautifully?

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Chari, Whatever style you dress your dining room in it's always beautiful! Love the new look and thank you for sharing your pretty dining room at my party.
xoxo, Sherry

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh I love it all! Amazing talents and gifts you have. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Chari I agree with Sherry. No matter what style you choose to decorate in your room always looks amazing! LOVE all your plates on the wall!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I did, I did enjoy every ounce of this post! You always do such a beautiful job.

My DIL, The Latin Lovin' Hillbilly decorates in a English Country style while I'm more of a 'French Country'...heavy on the country! Heeehehehe!

God bless ya and have an incredible day sweetie!!! :o)

Marilyn said...

My favorite piece is that cement bowl with the roses! There's just a wee bit of snow left in the ditch across the road, and I'm thinking it will be gone in the next few days! Our boys' basketball team went on to the state playoffs, so we had a day off today. Too many people going to Pueblo, and not enough subs! So I went in to school anyway and traded my clerical day (Friday) to today so I get a 3-day weekend. Supposed to be nice weather!♥♫

Olive said...

Chari, I love English Country style with it's layered collected look. Your plate wall is gorgeous. One thing I(Me not you) may be talented at is cluttered...hehe. hugs, olive

Theresa said...

Beautiful as always:) Your decor is more that gorgeous! Have a blessed evening dear Chari, HUGS!

lvroftiques said...

Very pretty Chari! Your dining room must feel so cozy with the woodstove going and the beautiful snow outside! Vanna

Honey at 2805 said...

It's beautiful, Chari! I can certainly understand choose English Country for your Winter decor as it is so warm and cozy against the cold. I've always enjoyed English country because of the "collected" treasures of a well-traveled look! Your room has all these wonderful elements!

Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday! Your participation is apppreciated!

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

I adore your plate wall and all that transferware. You can go back and forth so quickly from the French to the English countryside, so you can flip back and forth when u feel like it!

Gail said...

Chari, everything looks so beautiful! We have a wood stove in our family room and I find it very challenging to dress it up. I love the plate wall you have behind yours. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful day, Gail

The enchanted home said...

Everything looks amazing...this is one of my most favorite styles, so classic and timeless. Love a plate wall too!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Beautiful post, Chari. I love English Country.

I try to pick up the British version of Country Living, whenever possible. Beautiful publication.

Karen said...

love you English Country~especially the simplicity of the pear under the cloche. The floral tablecloth has such wonderful colors. Haven't been out visiting much, but always love to drop by and see what you are up to Chari.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I love that little bench with the pillows..I mean, I LOVE it!!
Your house is...is..can I come live with you? Hmmmmmm??
Gloria won't let me come live with her! BWAAAAAA! (as bj says!) :)
Mona
ooxx

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Good Morning Chari,
It's early here and the best time for me to get a little blogging in!
Oh Chari, the dining room looks just fabulous my dear!
You gave it a whole new look just be creating the vignettes and changing the table look!
I simply love the English style you've created!
And that painting is perfect there and of course your wall of plates just make me green with envy!
Like i've said before you have the decorating talent and gene my dear! Many could go to school for years and not be anywhere near as good as you are at it!
Thanks for your sweet note, thoughts and prayers too.
I am sending some your way too, especially for your daughters situation.
I am so thankful for our friendship my dear,
Big Hugs to you,
Cindy

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

You have the most wonderful things and you always display them so beautifully. I drool over all of your vignettes and your pics are stunning. Love it all. Hugs, Marty

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Oh Chari, this is absolutely gorgeously beautiful! Everything looks so elegant and vibrant!I love love love how you mixed texture with pattern and color. That urn filled with grapes looks amazing and I love the crystal lamps and chandelier. The lovely buffet server looks perfect in this room and I love the red transfer ware plates on your wall. Beautiful post, Chari as always. Thanks for the share and for your sweet words on my decorative books. Always a pleasure to have you over. I'm happily following you through LF now, would love to have you follow me.Happy weekend to you!Hugs~Poppy

On Crooked Creek said...

Chari,
I adore whatever you post! This is gorgeous, elegant, exquisite! The pattern in the tablecover is so~o~o romantic! Lovely post!
Fondly,
Pat

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Hello Chari~ your English Country setting is so beautiful. You really captured the essence behind the design. You added the perfect accents...like a lovely oil painting.

Sweet wishes,
Sara

Sonia said...

Gorgeous style! Warm and cozy with English and French elements that I know you love. I love pattern and colors that mix and match and your home is a perfect example! Enjoyed your post!
Miss Bloomers

Something Special said...

I love your English country style. I have lots of transferware and have a collection of little white pitchers too. Your dining room is just lovely. I am a new follower here.

Cindy said...

Your beautiful French dining room does lend itself well to the English Country decor. I love what you have done on your sideboard, it's so pretty and richly colorful.
Your wall of plates is fabulous, I don't know if I remember seeing that in a while. I love all of the colors that you use in there, very rich looking.
I hope your day is going well, and thanks so much for your wonderful comment that you left me yesterday.
Hugs, Cindy

Deanna said...

Chari,
I adored your English Country room. Your collection of Red Transferware is stunning and I adored your sweet little pitchers on the shelf above the window. How did you get the red walls in that room to be so rich in color. It is the perfect red! Your table and chairs are to die for!

Deanna

Patty said...

This is such a treat. Your pictures are gorgeous. Love the colors. And I enjoyed your descriptions of your decor too. Please stop and see me too. I am going to follow you. Have a great week!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Just beautiful, Chari! I love the wall of plates!

Blessings,
Sandi

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Chari,
Beautiful example of English Country. I love your mix of patterns!!! Thanks for the little article about English Country style. So informative!!!!
One thing I have never noticed before are your gorgeous shiny painted floors. I just love them!!!
You certainly do have a warm, inviting and detailed room! I would love to have a spot of tea with you!
Yvonne

The Charm of Home said...

So pretty Chari! I love that plate wall! Just gorgeous! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

shirley said...

Hola Chari, te saludo desde Costa Rica, me encanta tu decoraciĂ³n, el comedor se ve fabuloso, esas uvas hermosas y aunque estes en invierno toda tu decoraciĂ³n es bella.

Babs said...

English Country style is such a classic and one of my favorite styles. Your kitchen is so cozy.Love the window seat and plates behind the wood burning stove. Love the cloche with the pear.
Have a Happy St.Patrick's Day!
Babs

podso said...

Back again. Thanks for your comment on my post. Glad you are doing better. By the way, the covered bowl is mine....just used it to illustrate the post!

Kim said...

OH Chari! I'm swooning over the brick wall with the plates above it. Looks right out of an English countryside. FYI, not sure if you know this or not, but a fellow blogger used your dining room for inspiration for her new dining room. I recognized it right away as yours. Just shows you what in impact blogging has on us doesn't it?
Have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo,
Kim

Katherines Corner said...

I grew up with English country style ( I'm from England) you have a beautiful home. Hugs and wishes for a beautiful day. P.S. I hope you will stop by and say hello and enter the latest giveaway too.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi darling, you know I love your style..makes me feel so at home. I adore your plate display... some of your pictures didn't show up and I just know I'm missing out on more of your beautiful room... hugs ~lynne~

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Sis as always everything you do is beautiful..I love your English look..it's one of my favorites..
Now what's going on with the Dr.?? Please email me or I'll call you so you won't answer the phone ha ha!! I love you Sis and am worried about you..give honey our love..we have a foot of snow here Yuck!! Hugs and love Gloria

La Vie Quotidienne said...

I have always loved Laura Ashley's designs and English Country is my favorite style. Your room is elegant, warm and lovely.

bj said...

Hi, dear one...I love English country,too. The dark woods, the ivies, the flowered wallpapers....the stacks of books...low lighting...stone fireplaces...ummmm....maybe in another life. :))

Oh, and are you still having Sunday Favorites? I am linked with you but......
xo bj

Cass @ That Old House said...

Hey Darlin' -- How are you doing?
I'm a little worried about our Chari.
Love, Cass