Decorating
10 Ways to Get the Pale and Pretty Country Look
Discover how to give your home a pretty rustic style with a pared-back Scandi feel
Can’t decide between a simple Scandi interior or pretty country style? Why not have the best of both worlds? ‘Pale country chic’ is an interior style that blends the two looks, combining the pared-back simplicity of a Scandi interior with the rustic whimsy of a cottage. So if you have a penchant for pretty pastels, faded florals and washed linens, or your dream home is a pale and pretty country cottage, this is the look for you.
Plump for faded florals
Bright country florals are out for this look, but soft, washed-out patterns are definitely in. Plump for florals in soft pastel shades or pick vintage textiles for that authentic ‘soft washed’ look and you’ll create a room that’s understated and pretty.
You don’t need too much pattern to create this effect either. Mixing in just a few patterned cushions or pillowcases with crisp white bedding, as seen here, will be enough to create the desired effect.
Bright country florals are out for this look, but soft, washed-out patterns are definitely in. Plump for florals in soft pastel shades or pick vintage textiles for that authentic ‘soft washed’ look and you’ll create a room that’s understated and pretty.
You don’t need too much pattern to create this effect either. Mixing in just a few patterned cushions or pillowcases with crisp white bedding, as seen here, will be enough to create the desired effect.
Mix and match patterns
There’s nothing precious or overtly expensive about this relaxed style, so you don’t need to hunt down matching accessories or formal items. A hodgepodge of patterns and textures in faded tones are much gentler on the eye.
This soft and inviting sofa piled with pretty cushions is a perfect example of how to effortlessly mix florals. As long as they’re tonally similar, the look will work.
There’s nothing precious or overtly expensive about this relaxed style, so you don’t need to hunt down matching accessories or formal items. A hodgepodge of patterns and textures in faded tones are much gentler on the eye.
This soft and inviting sofa piled with pretty cushions is a perfect example of how to effortlessly mix florals. As long as they’re tonally similar, the look will work.
Favour pastel shades
Colour should be approached with caution. Anything primary toned should be avoided but pastel shades are ideal.
The result you’re aiming for is a soft wash of colour, so pick a pastel shade with plenty of white in it. If you’re unsure, consider whether the paint colour jumps out at you or softly recedes: you want the latter effect. The finished look should be soothing and calming, and act as a backdrop to the room rather than the main feature.
Colour should be approached with caution. Anything primary toned should be avoided but pastel shades are ideal.
The result you’re aiming for is a soft wash of colour, so pick a pastel shade with plenty of white in it. If you’re unsure, consider whether the paint colour jumps out at you or softly recedes: you want the latter effect. The finished look should be soothing and calming, and act as a backdrop to the room rather than the main feature.
Edit your accessories
While vintage or quirky accents are to be encouraged, shelves full of clutter are not. A few select items arranged with care will help to create the calm simplicity you’re after.
This glass vase of hydrangeas is a great example. The flowers provide just enough colour to tie in with the gentle floral pattern of the curtains, but they do so without dominating the space. A simple photo frame and a small tray of accessories provide additional interest without overpowering the look.
While vintage or quirky accents are to be encouraged, shelves full of clutter are not. A few select items arranged with care will help to create the calm simplicity you’re after.
This glass vase of hydrangeas is a great example. The flowers provide just enough colour to tie in with the gentle floral pattern of the curtains, but they do so without dominating the space. A simple photo frame and a small tray of accessories provide additional interest without overpowering the look.
Fill your home with flowers
This is a look that has romance at its heart, so flowers are essential. Forget expensive blooms formally arranged, instead go for relaxed bouquets in an assortment of vintage vases or enamel jugs. Blowsy peonies, scented hyacinths or hedgerow treasures are just the ticket.
This is a look that has romance at its heart, so flowers are essential. Forget expensive blooms formally arranged, instead go for relaxed bouquets in an assortment of vintage vases or enamel jugs. Blowsy peonies, scented hyacinths or hedgerow treasures are just the ticket.
Try soft grey as a neutral
To get a gentle, bleached-out look, consider using grey as your neutral instead of a warmer-toned beige. Grey tones down a warm scheme and creates a softer, cooler look. It’s perfect as a backdrop for pastels and florals.
To get a gentle, bleached-out look, consider using grey as your neutral instead of a warmer-toned beige. Grey tones down a warm scheme and creates a softer, cooler look. It’s perfect as a backdrop for pastels and florals.
Embrace vintage
Modern furniture shapes or glossy finishes are definitely not part of this look. Vintage freestanding items such as this bedside table are in instead. The good news is that secondhand furniture can often be picked up cheaply.
A well-worn patina or a chippy paint finish is to be encouraged. Pre-loved pieces of furniture have a history that fits right in with this style. Pale finishes are key, but don’t worry if you fall in love with a piece of brown furniture – if the shape and size is right, simply lighten it up with a wash of chalky furniture paint.
Want to see more of this pretty home? Take the tour
Modern furniture shapes or glossy finishes are definitely not part of this look. Vintage freestanding items such as this bedside table are in instead. The good news is that secondhand furniture can often be picked up cheaply.
A well-worn patina or a chippy paint finish is to be encouraged. Pre-loved pieces of furniture have a history that fits right in with this style. Pale finishes are key, but don’t worry if you fall in love with a piece of brown furniture – if the shape and size is right, simply lighten it up with a wash of chalky furniture paint.
Want to see more of this pretty home? Take the tour
Love linen
Texture is a key feature of this style. Washed cottons, natural wood and matt surfaces are important elements, but the king of them all has to be linen.
A vintage piece of linen, with a soft red stripe, is a key indicator of timeless country style, and mixing in a few pieces in the form of a cushion or a runner, as shown here, adds a layer of texture and authenticity that elevates a pastel scheme. On a smaller scale, consider having linen tea towels too.
Texture is a key feature of this style. Washed cottons, natural wood and matt surfaces are important elements, but the king of them all has to be linen.
A vintage piece of linen, with a soft red stripe, is a key indicator of timeless country style, and mixing in a few pieces in the form of a cushion or a runner, as shown here, adds a layer of texture and authenticity that elevates a pastel scheme. On a smaller scale, consider having linen tea towels too.
Paint furniture
Pale cottage chic is simple, rustic and pared-back at heart, so vintage furniture and mismatched items are to be embraced. This dining room with its pastel toned chairs, whitewashed cladding and vintage signage is a perfect example of the style.
If you’re keen to try painting a piece of furniture, visit your local charity shop or a car boot sale to find an inexpensive item to experiment on and use chalk-type paints for a soft matt finish.
What do you think of this pale and pretty country look? Let us know in the Comments below.
Pale cottage chic is simple, rustic and pared-back at heart, so vintage furniture and mismatched items are to be embraced. This dining room with its pastel toned chairs, whitewashed cladding and vintage signage is a perfect example of the style.
If you’re keen to try painting a piece of furniture, visit your local charity shop or a car boot sale to find an inexpensive item to experiment on and use chalk-type paints for a soft matt finish.
What do you think of this pale and pretty country look? Let us know in the Comments below.
The first step is to lighten up the space and draw as much daylight into your room as possible. Dark toned wood finishes are counterintuitive to this look, so keep any surfaces and woodwork light toned or white.
Here, the whitewashed floorboards and crisply painted walls create a bright and relaxed backdrop in this airy room, while the white-painted beams help to magnify the effect.
Need some dining room inspiration? Browse these stylish photos on Houzz