Store Love - Country Furniture

Country is certainly an expected decorating style here in Calgary but what you actually find in the stores is a more modern interpretation.  Think less chintz and more plaid, darker tones rather than pastels and industrial-influenced accessories instead of folk art.  This more modern interpretation still has a relaxed and cozy feel to it though just like traditional country decor does.

Country Furniture (738 11th Ave S.W.) exemplifies this modern country aesthetic.  They carry a wide selection of items that would work well in a lot of spaces.  The store is also set in an historic building in the design district which just further adds to the shopping experience.

Beautiful brick building

Great mirror (similar to mine) and love the handblown oversize glass bottle

Great mix of lamps and large pieces of furniture

Mansard mirror, rustic wood bedframe and cozy linens

Chevron orange rug - still not tired of this look

Great oversize artwork

Canoe hanging from the ceiling - sculpture?

Really liked these birch planters

Hanging glass orbs for candles and lovely white dishes in the background

Wire baskets have so many uses

Make your own house number

Wire baskets hung upside down and used as light fixtures - great for a rustic kitchen

Masculine lamp and sidetable

I want a zinc cabinet for my bathroom

Great living room vignette

A display of clocks greet you at the front door

Store Love - Cozy Cottage Interiors

Was out and about running errands the other day and popped into Cozy Cottage Interiors (Heritage Hill Shopping Centre - #162-8228 Macleod Tr. S.E.).  They specialize in cottage and country decor which might not be to everyone's taste but the store also includes lots of great vintage finds that would suit someone interested in industrial and/or really eclectic pieces.

Vintage canvas bag, bait box and tool box 

Vintage ice skates and rustic towel racks

Brightly painted Muskoka chairs

Vintage bottles and medicine cabinets

Vintage stove and wire bottle racks 

Two industrial tables with adjustable legs 

Doors, windows and mirrors 

Bed converted into a bench 

Front entrance includes the wire from an old mattress suspended with little white lights 

Display at the front entrance

Getting Country-fied

Project 3 for Interior Decorating I involves designing a condo for a client with a specific design style in mind on a $70,000 budget - my partner and I got a single woman with three cats that likes "North American Country" and pastels.  She is also a piano teacher and needs a room/space for lessons that is separate from her personal space.  We also have to incorporate her piano and a pre-existing hutch (which thankfully can be painted).  Definitely a challenge.  I'm leaning towards shabby chic and a more modern interpretation of country - here are some of my inspiration photos:

Lovely kitchen - via Mad About Pink

Sweet little nook - via Decorpad

Subdued living room - via Modern Home Furniture

And who can forget the originator of shabby chic, Rachel Ashwell - her site is full of amazing room designs, furniture and accessories.