The countryside is calling. Already palpable before the pandemic, interest in the exciting possibilities of rural living has now grown beyond what many of us could ever have imagined. Turning away from traffic-choked streets and onto meandering country paths, once-committed urbanites are increasingly choosing to take up residence in greener pastures, and are seeking extended or permanent refuge in rural locations. For those of us fortunate enough to be able to choose where and how we reside, the wish to be closer to nature and to simplify hectic daily routines has led to a re-examining of the countryside as a desirable destination, to find not only peace and quiet but also creativity and connection.
Country and Cozy visits dwellings that not only successfully engage with their landscape but also honor regional character by following local traditions of craftsmanship. All of the homes in this book are connected by a shared passion for using spaces, materials, and favorite artifacts in unexpected ways. In reflecting their unique stories and tastes, the creators of these homes allow our ideas about country living to constantly grow and evolve. “It’s about restoring properties in ways that maintain their original materials and history, then adding your own layers on top”, affirms Matt Gibberd, co-founder of London-based estate agency Inigo. All the best examples of contemporary rural living are constructed from a strong knowledge of, and respect for, their environment. Understanding the context of a house, or the history of the land on which one plans to live, is essential. Nowhere is this more evident than in the materials and design details documented in this book. Natural, industrial, handmade, sustainable, salvaged, found—whatever the origin or aesthetic, every finish and furniture choice has been made with care and integrity. It is safe to say, however, that rustic no longer always equates to pared back. In this book, readers will find both sides of the story: There are those who favor simplicity and restraint, and those who—like magpies—delight in layer upon layer of expressive pattern, texture, and color. There are seekers and preservers of ancient history, and forward thinkers who sensitively imagine contemporary quarters to sit elegantly in their natural surroundings. The houses explored in this book represent the diversity of farmhouse-style living today. From a converted dairy barn in Upstate New York, or a rejuvenated former convent in Tuscany, a 200-year-old timber-frame house set among meadows in the German countryside, and a thirteenth-century farm in Catalonia that is a minimalist blend of rural architecture with contemporary interventions, to Durslade Farm in Somerset with its distinct cosmopolitan edge thanks to its owners, the contemporary art gallerists Hauser & Wirth, where even the garden, designed by Piet Oudolf, the gardener responsible for the planting on New York’s iconic High Line, is a work of art.
Country and Cozy opens the door to a more characterful approach to design and decoration by showcasing some of the world’s most beautiful country homes, and illustrates how their residents have created enchanting living spaces that truly make the most of rural life.
ISBN
9783967040319Title
Country and Cozy. Countryside Homes and Rural RetreatsAuthor
gestalten // Sarah Trounce, Anthony Banks, Joann Plockova, Anna SouthgatePublisher
gestaltenPublication year
2021Binding
HardcoverLanguage
English
