Hooker Furniture

A new season of Mad Men has recently started, but many TV viewers have not left Edwardian England and Downton Abbey behind.
Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the “real” owner of Downton Abbey (known as Highclere Castle in real life), has been widely quoted for saying that the show has renewed interest in stately English homes and greatly increased Highclere’s visitors.
But it is more than just visiting someone else’s pile.

Transfixed by the many layered, opulent and gracious interiors seen on Downton Abbey, people want their home to be their own personal castle.

First popularized in the 1940s by John Fowler and his partners in the UK decorating firm Colfax & Fowler, Sibyl Colfax and Nancy Lancaster, thegrand English Country House Style is back in vogue.

Here’s how you can achieve the English Country House Style in your own home by incorporating five main elements:

1. Your furniture should be a mix of styles and periods to give the impression that your home evolved over time. The look should have an understated elegance with tasteful touches like plants and flowers.
How to accomplish that? Go for case pieces with a rich wood patina.
This chest from Hooker Furniture is a perfect example. Its gorgeous finish, and special veneered top give it the look of a treasured antique.

In addition, include items with a worldly flair by adding objects with an Asian, French or Italian influence. An occasional painted piece is fine. Mix in upholstered pieces with wood ones.

Hooker Furniture’s Primrose Hill collection, inspired by turn of the last century England, was designed to make this mix easy.
Check out this next image featuring pieces from the collection. Combining upholstered wing chairs with the lattice dining chairs and rectangular dining table in the warm Villa Brown finish speaks to a “landed gentry-like” comfort.

Even, the styling of the photo is inspirational with its French style chandelier and large floral bouquets.

2. When it comes to upholstery, think plush. You want to sink down in comfort. Upholstery should have classic lines. Good fabric choices would include leathers, velvets and floral chintz. Layers of pattern and texture are important.

For example, love the look of Downton Abbey’s lush library?

Start with Hooker Furniture’s Bradington-Young red leather sofa to make it your own.

Add in chairs from the upholstery pieces in the Primrose Hill collection and you are well on your way.