New England-style interiors
New England style brings a whole range of ideas to mind, from fabulous mansions in which Kennedys, Astors and Vanderbilts conduct their social whirl, to rustic beach houses done out in simple, nautical blues and whites. The hallmark of all of this is comfort, whether you're out on the deck in a fresh Rhode Island summer, or sheltering from the storm on a wintry Maine night. Of course, you don't have to live in New England to bring a bit of this classic American style to your home. The essential elements - plush furniture, smooth tongue and groove panelling, nautical colours and accessories - are easy to import into any space, whether you live in an Oxfordshire cottage or a Californian ranch. Scroll down for our favourite examples of this easy-breezy style.
You may also like: An artist's eighteenth-century house in Virginia
Simon Brown1/9Guest House Sitting Room
This guest cottage, a conversion of a former garage at the Oxfordshire home of Vanessa Macdonald, has its own wood-panelled sitting room. The condensed arrangement of furniture around the rug make the room feel cosy while also leaving well-proportioned open space.
2/9Modern Country
In the wood-panelled back porch of this Virginia home, antique wooden and upholstered white furniture shines out against against the dark wooden floors. Framed artworks are hung in grids, mirroring the pattern of the windowframes.
3/9Tongue and Groove Kitchen
A modern extension was built to house the New England-style kitchen, which incorporates a Victorian skylight and tongue-and-groove panelling. Kitchen units are topped with light-reflecting, white Carrara marble - one of interior designer Diana Sieff's distinctive decorating touches done while renovating her home, a former chapel in Oxfordshire.
4/9Nautical Heirlooms
A seaside-blue colour scheme in the second spare room of Cadland House, a graceful, coastal country home. The bedroom has views of the sea and is decorated with nautical heirlooms.
Simon Brown5/9Blue Matchboard Walls
Sweet nautical accessories, and bright blue matchboard panelling make up this charming bathroom in the home of Georgie Fordham.
Simon Upton6/9Panelled Bedroom
Tongue-and-groove panelling adds New England-style charm to the spare room (in what used to be the butler's pantry) of this 1830s London house restored to its original style by interior designer Max Rollitt. The touch of a chair used in place of a traditional nightstand is particularly charming.
Rachel Whiting7/9White New England Living Room
Create a relaxed, New England-style holiday-house atmosphere with painted wood, faded stripes and pretty florals.
Sarah Hogan8/9Nautical Kid's Room
Gabby Deeming has created the atmosphere of a New England-style holiday home with painted wood furniture and faded stripes. The walls are in 'Faded Damask' by Mulberry Home, while the bespoke wooden headboard can be made to order by Fafio, and is painted (along with all the rest of the wood work) in 'Sea Cliff' eggshell from Sanderson. The bedding is from Romo, and the driftwood side table is Oka.
9/9New England Winter
The great thing about New England style is its versatility. In the summer it can have a breezy beach house feel but come winter be at once warming and cosy - just the thing for our temperamental British seasons.
