Canadian Country Style

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

In Canada, the “country” look in home decorating can take one of
nine distinct variations. This review, compiled from the pages of
Canadian Home & Country magazine, gives an overview and lots of
illustrations of the nine: farm, northern light, west, New England,
urban, Acadian, seaside, French, and cottage.

The work is heavy on colour photos and light on text. For each of the
nine variations, there is a short introductory essay to set the mood and
brief notes on how to achieve the look. The rest of the lesson is
carried by a generous selection of pictures with captions. The section
on each style is divided into three areas: living (living rooms, great
rooms, rec rooms, dens), eating (kitchens, dining areas), and rest
(bedrooms and bathrooms).

The book defines country style as versatile, eclectic, casual,
comfortable, and unpretentious. It aims for simplicity, contentment, and
calm, with an emphasis on connecting to the land and making apparent
close ties to nature. Icons of the style include quilts, harvest tables,
pressback chairs, floral patterns, and other motifs drawn from nature.

The approximately 200 colour photos that pack the book show interiors
from coast to coast, Lunenburg to Kitsilano. The light, airy mood of
country style is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous shots that lack
the exposure latitude to keep details in both the shadows and
highlights. The effect is often that of natural light streaming through
a window.

There’s lots of factual help for amateur decorators to be gleaned
from the photos, the captions, and the how-to-notes. A visual feast.