HG Openhouse Blog

Hidcote, one of the famed Cotswold gardens.

One hundred miles northwest of London is a land that sometimes feels like it has been forgotten by time–the Cotswolds. Hilly and scenic with stone buildings, millstreams, sheep grazing away (the wool trade brought the Cotswolds to fame), quiet lanes and amazing gardens–those who’ve visited the Cotswolds never forget it.

The Country English lifestyle is dominated by florals–as are all those amazing gardens. The Brits are avid (almost rabid!) gardeners, and virtually every small plot of land is utilized to grow and flourish. Even in the towns, floral baskets are hung down the streets from lampposts. So it is no surprise that florals dominate our vision of Cotswold style for your home. Our simple late afternoon tea time combines many different florals on textiles and ceramics–just as the English would do. No need to feel confined to all matching pieces! Just like in a garden, all flowers go together and blend. So we’ve got a teapot, sugar bowl and cake stand that match, but two creamers (large and small) and small cake plates add other patterns to the setting. The placemats and napkins sport a romantic floral stripe–multi-color on a blue and cream background. You can create just such a teatime for yourself with ease.

Florals all over the teatime table.

Our fabric and paint chip board shows even more florals, of course–floral stripes and flowers in pots. In English country decorating, you can combine a variety of florals together in the same setting. Just be careful to avoid duplicating layouts and scales. We’ve also added in an ivy pattern which is very, very British in tone. With all this activity, it is important to balance with some stripes, checks, plaids. There are so many to pick from that you may wind up with a handful that you love.



Blossoms in all scales and hues mix together.

Adding English charm to your living room, dining room, bedroom is easy. We decided to create a bigger challenge for ourselves. What room in your home might be the last place you’d think you could add summer vacation charm? How about the laundry! But with all the wealth of items available today, English mood in the laundry is easy as well. We found a poster reproduction of a London flower shop, a floral scatter rug and a collection of laundry baskets with pretty English fabric liners. Put them all together and you can feel like Eliza Doolittle doing the laundry for Henry Higgins!

English charm in your laundry room–it’s easy!

So we’ve now travelled from France to Italy to Greece and to England in our quest for vacation style you can add to your home with a minimum of fuss and work. So say goodbye to Europe. We’re off to more tropical climes. Next destination is Acapulco, Mexico.