Perfectly Balanced Interiors

If you look back over the past 100 years in the history of decoration, one style that continues to endure is that of the English country house. Several ingredients combine to create a classic, timeless scheme: a deep, feather-filled sofa (often with a dog dozing at one end), table lamps with gathered shades, a blend of furniture from different periods, rugs on the floor, piles of books on the table and lots of fresh flowers.

“The key to its success is flexibility – nothing is preserved in aspic,” explains the interior designer Stephanie Dunning, who co-founded the studio Dunning & Everard more than 30 years ago. “When I started my career, not a week went by without designing curtains with swags and tails, yet it has been years since I last used them. Our lifestyles have changed, things have become less formal, and country-house designs have adapted accordingly.”

What remains constant is the desire for a cohesive flow throughout the house, ensuring that interior schemes respond well to the proportion and scale of rooms. “This is when the magic starts to happen, with that wonderful, slightly nebulous feeling of a house being warm and welcoming as soon as the front door is opened,” says Camilla Elwell, director of Savills Country House Department.

Homes that appeal most to prospective buyers are those that have obvious traces of the lifestyle enjoyed by their occupants. “It could be a boot room lined with wellies, a dog bed in the kitchen, an Aga in full use,” says Elwell. “These are the elements that are expected, particularly by those who are looking at moving to the country for the first time. It’s often what people are buying into.”

Adding this essential character and texture doesn’t necessarily mean ripping everything out and starting again. “What I encourage my clients to do is to feel comfortable enough to put their own stamp on things,” says Dunning. “Houses should reflect the personalities of their owners.” For anyone hesitant about how to begin, she has a few tips.

Adding personality
Interior design is all about creating layers, so if a room feels as if it’s lacking character, consider a layer or two. Collectibles are a big trend, according to Dunning: “I don’t mean that in the traditional sense – it’s not about showcasing porcelain inherited from a great-aunt in a glass cabinet.” Shelves don’t need to be dedicated to housing books; many people now use them to display collections in which each piece tells a story. “What also adds depth to a room is a ‘gallery hang’. Rather than having one picture on each wall in the bedroom, I like to group four or five paintings together, then fill in the gaps with framed ephemera such as photographs or postcards. The impact is strong.”

Lighting in layers
The importance of having layers of lighting in a room, rather than one overhead source, cannot be overestimated. “Above all, avoid the temptation to have too many downlighters in a room,” Dunning advises. “It might work for a townhouse, but just doesn’t look good in the country. Electricians are not lighting designers and, despite what they say, a kitchen needs only a few directional lights over the task areas. Table lamps on worktops make things so much warmer.”

Old and new
Brown furniture – what we might more politely call antiques – is back in fashion, although not in the same way as it was several generations ago. Now it’s often just one or two pieces that add history, character and warmth to a room, blended with furniture from other periods. “It’s the balance of old and new that people like today,” says Dunning, who carries out an inventory of every piece of existing furniture when her team starts work on a project. “The great thing about using inherited pieces in a scheme is that it immediately becomes individual – no one else will have the same look and a room will tell a personal story.”

Country-house colours
Sometimes strong colours can deter potential buyers, says Elwell. “While we wouldn’t recommend any clients spending a fortune redecorating ahead of putting their property on the market, if there is an element that might be unappealing for potential buyers, such as a loud carpet, we might make a suggestion.” Country-house colours are moving towards gravelly neutrals, earthy browns and garden greens – warm tones that blend well with the outside and feel rooted in the environment. “It’s almost impossible to future-proof a colour, because tastes change,” says Dunning. “But I don’t think you can go wrong with earthy tones. They sit so comfortably in the northern European light and a rural setting.”

CAMILLA ELWELL
DIRECTOR SAVILLS COUNTRY HOUSE DEPARTMENT
+44 (0) 20 7016 3718

Dunning & Everard

Pictures from top: pops of colour create a cosy space in the family room; the exterior of Tunnel Hill; a reclaimed mantelpiece is the focal point of the drawing room; statement lighting in the kitchen; a deep sofa with plenty of cushions