Pattern & process

You don’t need a thatched roof, exposed beams, or a cottage tucked into the Cotswolds to bring English country style into your home.

In fact, part of what makes this decorating style so appealing is that it isn’t supposed to look perfect.

English cottage rooms feel warm, layered and collected. There might be a floral pillow next to a plaid one, a slightly-too-small landscape painting in an ornate frame, a dark wood table that doesn’t match anything else, and a basket of blankets tucked beside the sofa.

It’s less about buying a matching room and more about slowly adding things that look like they have a story.

If you’re trying to get the look at home, this is the formula I’d use.

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1. Start with a traditional pattern

Wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to give an ordinary room a little more personality.

Florals are an obvious English cottage choice, but plaids, checks and stripes work beautifully too — especially if you want something that feels cozy without becoming overly sweet.

I love a deep muted olive green plaid because it can go in several directions. Add leather and rustic wood and it feels like a cabin. Add florals, brass, vintage art and warm wood and suddenly it starts leaning English country.

Shop wallpaper pictured – Classic Moody Plaid, Soft Gingham, Green Buffalo Plaid, & Rustic Textured Plaid

2. Bring in Warm Wood

English cottage rooms rarely look as though every piece of furniture arrived in one delivery.

Instead, try adding one warm wood piece with some character: a little pedestal table, a bar cabinet with character or a wooden step stool.

Walnut, oak, mahogany and warm pine all work well.

It doesn’t actually have to be antique. You’re simply looking for something that feels as though it could have been around for a while.

Shop the look:
Spindle Table
French County Style Chest
Bar Cabinet
Step Stool
Green Plaid Wallpaper

3. Mix Plaid With Florals

Florals are some of my favorite patterns to create and I love to mix and match them with plaids.

If your room already has plaid, don’t assume every other pattern needs to match it.

Pairing a larger plaid with a smaller floral is exactly the kind of pattern mixing that gives an English cottage room its collected feeling.

Try a block-print floral pillow, faded chintz curtains or even a small floral lampshade.

The secret is to repeat a color rather than the exact same pattern.

For my dark olive plaid, I’d look for florals containing greens, sage, a touch of blue, and lovely fall browns.

Shop the Look:
Olive Green Plaid Wallpaper
Cottagecore Floral Pillow
Lily Flower Throw Pillow
Vintage Stripes Pillow
Square Floral Pillow

4. Add a Little Aged Brass

Brass instantly warms up a traditional room, but I prefer it when it isn’t too shiny.

Look for antique or aged brass finishes on lamps, candlesticks, picture lights and small frames.

You don’t need much.

A single brass table lamp beside a dark wood table is enough to make the room feel more layered.

Shop the Look:
Forged Copper Taper Holders
Brass Table Lamp
Oswald Metal Boxes
Sunburst Mirror
Rustic Plaid Wallpaper

5. Swap the Lampshade

Before replacing your lamps, try changing the shade.

A gathered, pleated, scalloped or tiny floral lampshade can make even a basic lamp feel charming.

This may be one of the easiest ways to add the English cottage look to a bedroom, reading nook or living room without making a big commitment.

Shop the fabric to DIY your own lamp shade:
French Country Damask
Green Watercolor Gingham
Watercolor Wildflowers & Weeds
Watercolor Leaves

Part 2 coming soon!