Country decorating can create a soothing, relaxing atmosphere.  This is why country decor would be very much at home in the master bedroom.  Your country style master bedroom does not have to be weight down in busy quilts or covered floor to ceiling in floral designs.  Country decorating today is much simpler.  

Here are some ideas for creating a country master bedroom.   

Keep the flowers to a minimum.  While floral fabric and wallpaper is thought to be a signature element for a country bedroom, you do not have to get carried away with it.  Choose one item in the room to give a floral print, whether it is the bed, a chair or an area rug.  For the rest of the fabrics in the room, add a matching floral trim while keeping the majority of the item plain.   

Use Victorian furniture.  Avoid heavy rustic oak furnishings and instead go for classic Victorian items with curved legs and rounded edges.  Medium to dark wood is preferred. 

Add soft layers.  In addition to your main fabric for the room, add soft sheer fabrics to the room in the form of a full or partial canopy and window sheers.  

Add accessories.  Pick a style for accessories and stick to it.  You can use a collection of whitewash items, a toile accessory pattern, or wrought iron accessories.  One such item that I find especially attractive is this Brescia Metal Glass Candle Lantern that stands 33” H X 17” wide.  If you use items this large, you only need a few accessories.  Place one of these on either side of the bed to for candlelit evenings.  Add light fixture with similar curved wrought iron for daytime use.  Other wrought iron wall décor can include mirror frames or iron grills.

• November 2007