A Prairie Home Decor Trend: Expert Advice on How to go Country Without Being Cliche

Combine the relaxed, heirloom feel of yesterday with the Western-inspired country charm of today and you have contemporary country. It’s a home decor trend that is rustling up a resurgence, or, in the case of Calgary, maybe a new appreciation for a familiar look.

Yes, animal skulls and equestrian art come into play, but the ways in which they are used — propped casually on a shelf or in abstract black and white photos — make the look fresh and less theme-looking.

Contemporary country is neither kitschy nor precious. It isn’t about saloon doors or lace doilies. Instead, the look melds comfort, authenticity and natural materials — elements that the design world always comes back to between periods of minimalism or mid-century modern.

Think rich colours, natural textiles, handcrafted furniture, soft leathers and local wood, all giving a nod to the landscape just beyond our city limits. Create the contemporary country look in your cosmopolitan home with advice from decor experts. 

Nancy Bollefer, Canadian Marketing Manager, Behr Paint

“Consider introducing aged pieces into a space, such as worn woods, rustic hardware, warm metal finishes and Navajo patterns. Don’t be afraid to infuse modern, streamlined pieces of leather furniture to complement distinctive pieces in your space. Perhaps you have handmade pottery just waiting to be taken out of storage. You’ll be surprised how collectables you’ve held onto over the years take on a whole different persona when mixed up differently. The colour palette for contemporary country is rich and complex. Consider dressing your entranceway with Behr’s Prairie Poppy, a soft, inviting red, and then transition to a more neutral hue for the larger living area like Behr’s Raffia Ribbon inspired by wheat fields and hay bundles.”

Sarah Jacobs, Co-Owner, Boft Fine Rugs

“The beauty of Persian rugs is that the designs and colours are timeless. You can start with a great rug and then change the style of the room with furniture and accents. For a country look, tribal rugs and pieces woven around the Caspian Sea tend to work really well. They have strong geometric motifs that can almost look Navajo in style. You can’t go wrong by selecting one of these rugs in earth tones or a classic navy-and-red combination but, for the adventurous, choose a fresh palette like turquoise and persimmon — your space will be anything but Granny’s country.”

Cathy Miller, Public Relations, Crate & Barrel canada

“For us, this trend is addressed by items that feel honest and authentic, where the natural qualities of the materials are the focus. Several pieces in our collection feature natural materials, like the Bluestone coffee table with its reclaimed pine and natural bluestone. It’s rustic and looks like a found object that has history, but it has a clean shape and simple lines without ornamentation, which makes it feel much more contemporary than traditional. In this case, it’s really about the stone and the wood and the beautiful contrast of colour and texture.”

Lindsay Berscheid, BID Interior Designer, Domaine Fine Furnishings and Design

“There are many ways to create a modern country look while keeping the relaxed, cozy experience. When furnishing your environment, look for clean, sleek elements where the expression is in the materials. For example, this clean-lined Santomer bed is constructed out of reclaimed wood that once belonged to an old barn. It’s framed with ebony stained wood, causing a beautiful contrast between the two. The freshness of the crisp white sheets brings brightness to the space and highlights the wood of the bed.” 

Shelley Derksen, Managing Partner, F2 Furnishings 

“The Ritual dining table is one of my personal favourites. This urban country-inspired dining table is constructed of solid ash and ash veneer in a rustic old-wash finish. When paired with a classic style of dining chair, featuring a tufted back and seat, the look will complement any contemporary home. It's all about celebrating the clean lines of contemporary furnishings, while still incorporating rustic wood elements typically found in a warm country setting.”

Ashley Stewart, BAID interior designer, Melange for the Home

“To create a contemporary cowboy vibe in your home, the space must err on the side of understated sophistication, rather than kitsch. To do so, start by following the general principles of simplicity: neutral tone-on-tone colour palettes and splashes of bold accents that evoke contemporary design. Also remember the adage ‘less is more,’ and aim to avoid visual clutter by incorporating key carefully placed ‘cowboy’ elements balanced throughout the space. To create a sophisticated spin on the cowboy theme, be sure to avoid cliché memorabilia and, instead, focus on locally produced materials such as leather and wool and contemporary artisan elements. To highlight, if you have an existing neutral background, you might consider adding abstract black and white equestrian photography, colourful pillows or a unique hide chair.”