04Jan

Cameron Kimber’s Home: An English Country-House Style

Cameron Kimber‘s home is located in Australia but after you take a look at it, it will strike you as a perfect interpretation of an English country-home. English country-house style is usually saturated with all cozy elements. Mostly rooted in classic style, steers away from stiffness and creates the most comfortable and charming of interiors. Sofas like the kinds of Chesterfield, English rolled arms and overstuffed armchairs provide ease sitting options while natural rugs such as sisal and jute support the laid-back side of English country-house style. We can also find oriental rugs. A traditional color palette inspired by the nature of the English countryside is an integral part as well, shades such as yellows, greens, blues and others are found abundantly. And who can forget about flowers, chintz in the forms of textiles and wallpapers are the cornerstone of English countryside style. Either in the form of upholstered furniture or wallpaper, flowers and trailing are one of the main elements of this cozy style. Such use of floral details acts as softener to the often dark wood antiques found in the English country-house style.

English country-house style cameron living room via belle vivir blog

It’s a style of living that allows us to live with the things we love and enjoy our home without worrying about ruining our rugs or sofas. This is only because prints, patterns and natural or oriental rugs create the most beautiful patinas out of the daily tear and wear caused by our pets and kids. Now, I think they call that a double winner… “Things are beautiful and comfortable, and that’s really all that matters” Kimber. This latter a repeating mantra of Belle Vivir Interior Design Blog for years…

7 Elements of English country-house style.

English country-house style flower print via belle vivir blog

Informality

English country homes have an informal aesthetic and ambiance. Things are not taken too seriously… it’s the mingle of different textures and patterns that creates the elegance but relaxed atmosphere.

30Nov

Amanda Brooks Idyllic Home in The English Countryside

Amanda Brook 1 via belle vivir

Amanda Brooks is known as a writer, contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler and AD and ex fashion director at Barneys New York. What you may not know is that she is a great Lifestyle Architect too. If such title exists, she’s earned it. Amanda Brooks is a New Yorker who moved with her family to the English Countryside and had created an idyllic countryside life style. All with absolute no previous experience. It all started when Amanda decided to take a year break from the hustle and bustle of her busy career in the City and moved with her family to the farm where her husband grew up in Oxfordshire, England. Yes, she traded attending front row fashion shows, dressing head to toe in designer clothes and attending the fancy after parties for the calm and charm of the English countryside, complete with horses, sheep, pigs and pretty gardens. The one year became years and now is the family’s permanent residence, as she told AD where their Farm was featured. Amanda also told AD that she is currently writing a book about the whole experience. Her Instagram account is like a dream no one would like to wake up from, at least not me, full of beautiful and inspiring images from nature, gardens, dogs and her children. You can also appreciate snippets of her home, Fair Green Farm, and how unpretentious and beautiful she decorates it. Everything looks so livable and tangible… yet so tasteful.

I love to hear stories like this because it’s all but a reminder that the real pleasures in life are about substance and whatever fills your heart. It’s about what makes you wake up in the morning with a full heart. Of course all better when done in style, as Amanda shows us.

Amanda Brook farmhouse via belle vivir blog

19Jun

Out East: Houses and Gardens of The Hamptons

out east book via belle vivir blog

You might have seen images of a very Global Chic cottage called Woody House in the Hamptons featured in the current Architectural Digest issue. The home, designed by Peter Marino is one of the more than 25 houses, cottages, and pool houses appearing in the soon to be published book Out East: Houses and Gardens of the Hamptons by Jennifer Ash Rudick with photos by Tria Giovan. I got a copy of the book over the weekend and had a great time looking at the pictures of beautiful, meticulously designed gardens. Now that summer is here, I can’t think of anything more appealing than gardens and outdoor spaces. Below, some of the images released by Vendome publisher.

08Mar

A Country Home Designed by Isabel Lopez Quesada

I think Country interiors are underrated and overlooked while more polished decor take center stage. One reason could be because country or rustic interiors look and feel better in person and pictures don’t do them justice. Elements such as honed finish stones, matte finish woods creates a cozy environment that invites to stay and even walk barefoot. And, when it comes to beautiful country decor no other place does it better than a European country side. Case in point, his country home designed by Isabel Lopez Quesada located in Zegovia, Spain. I posted about this kitchen designed by her a while ago and was trilled when recently found more images of the rest of the house and who can’t forget that popular shot of Isabel’s home library?

18Oct

A Charming Farmhouse

Good morning, I hope you had a great weekend; mine was a very busy one. There are so many unfinished projects around our house that I think being busy over the weekends is going to be the norm for a while. I recently added this picture to my files because images like this farmhouse entrance in Walton, N.Y. of the painter Sean Scherer, is the reason why every now and then I wish I had a farmhouse- no animals included of course, where I can go and escape from the hustle and bustle of the City. To see more country living inspired images of this home go here. The rest of the house is even more charming.

29Jun