Pinterest declared me a fan of English Country Style and recommended dozens of blog posts and articles as proof. The look includes the use of wood, muted color, fabric, pattern, and quirky accessories. I remained ambivalent until I read about the fashion insider who described the style as “perfectly tasteful but slightly dated.” Bingo, as the old lady says. I am, very much indeed, a fan of English Country Style. I offer my latest estate sale find as proof.
Why I went to the estate sale, which involves possibly cursed dog tags purchased on Etsy, is another story. Today is all about the tufted armchair and footstool I brought home. Yes, I bought a chair and footstool but have yet to hang pictures or decorate the mantel since the remodel. Imagine what I could do with a to-do list and a plan!
Perfectly Tasteful but Slightly Dated
Mikey fell in love at first sight with the armchair and claimed it as his own. He did; I swear. He gasped and said, “Mom! I love it!” I was almost too surprised by a teenage boy commenting on an estate sale to preen.
“The footstool matches the gold in the tweed, but I plan to reupholster it after the pandemic,” I said, apropos of nothing.
“I don’t know what that means but it looks amazing,” he replied. Then he plopped a bewildered Fig on our English Country Style armchair to take pictures for Instagram.
Later, after testing it for two hours, Mikey gave the armchair high marks for comfort and said he felt refined sitting in it. It is unclear how refined one can look while scrolling Instagram in a faded t-shirt, but I am happy if he is happy.
I love that chair! And the footstool. It looks so good against the stone mantle. What was your remodel other than the green sectional? You are so funny with your maximalist style. It’s reactionary against the millennial Minimalists! Perfect. My house is maximalist by way of antique hand me downs. I am a sentimental fool. But the purge of papers and other detritus marches on. Please continue the home updates.
Our remodel was pretty extensive. We redid all three bathrooms, got all new floors throughout, painted, and put in a backsplash in the kitchen.
Did you post pictures? I remember to boys bathroom. I have to do the same thing. But only have 1.5 bathroom ms Ugh
Not anything permanent. I posted pictures here and there on Instagram stories.
I’m always scrolling Instagram in a faded t shirt so let’s hope it’s quite sophisticated.
The new chair is lovely and the whole vignette quite inviting. Love seeing your beautiful home.
Thank you! People typically dislike my fireplace (our contractor wanted to get rid of it, too), but as my husband likes to say, “It stays.”
Love i the chair and ottoman. And don’t worry about your slow pace… we’ve been in this house five years and your room looks much more decorated than our whole space. PS – thanks for the IG post that you blogged.
Thanks for visiting! We’ve been here for over 16 years, so, we are definitely working at a slow pace. :)
I feel like ” Perfectly Tasteful but Slightly Dated” also describes my wardrobe. Fig certainly looks refined on that chair.
It’s my new tagline.
OMG I freaking LOVE it. Last year I tried to define my style, and I came up with “British grandma who attended Hogwarts meets California surf shack.” Sounds super weird, but it totally fits.
That sounds pretty awesome and like something I would like to see. :)
Ooh, I want to see that too!