Vineyard home: @arielashe of @ashe_leandro I Photography:
@shadedeggesphotography I Published: @archdigest I Featured: Flocca Linen Blanket in Ayrton, Basix Linen Pillowcase in Petra
While this classic look may take different forms, comfort is always at the heart of New England style. Whether on the deck basking in a salty summer breeze or curled up by the fireplace on a wintry night, simple pleasures inspire a relaxed aesthetic that offers practical, pared-back spaces layered with softness and character.
From coastal plains and rivers to dense forests and rolling hills, the New England region is as diverse as it is beautiful, comprising six states in the northeast corner of the USA including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. This regional variety has resulted in several interpretations of New England style, each taking inspiration from the surrounding natural landscape, architecture and lifestyle – from the rustic, whitewashed coastal cottages of Maine to the classic Colonial farmhouses of Connecticut.
Vineyard home: @arielashe of @ashe_leandro I Photography: @shadedeggsphotography I Published: @archdigest
Architectural elements have evolved, beginning with the early 17th century settlement of the Pilgrims whose simple homes were modelled from the traditional English cottage and feature thatched roofs, earth floors and handmade clay walls. In the 1700s, as populations and families grew, Colonial design brought two-storey homes with multiple rooms and a central chimney, featuring hand-hewn timber beams and natural stone floors. Waves of European settlement saw those with maritime ties introduce fishing as well as farming, and a focus on seaside pursuits (and shiplap panelling) sat alongside agrarian life.
Flocca Linen Blanket in Elk, Basix Linen Coverlet in Ayrton, Double Linen Crush Throw in Kali/Petra, Basix Stripe Linen Pillow in Sable/Nox, Flocca Linen Pillow in Armee, Basix Linen Pillowcase in Kali
Warm summers and chilly winters mean layering is key in New England, with tonal linen combinations ensuring transeasonal ease and a bedscape that is cosy and inviting year-round. Calming shades of white offer an adaptable backdrop for classic hues inspired by the landscape, with rich, warm tones reminiscent of an autumn drive through the countryside while sky blue and sandy beige evoke a fresh coastal vista. An earthy, understated palette is complemented with floral patterns and nature motifs to add colour and character, while subtle stripes lend a nautical nod.
Weston, Connnecticut home of James Cregan & Micheal Amigron I Photography: @katesjordan I Published: @archdigest
With an emphasis on cosiness and well-worn pieces that offer both beauty and function, New England style has been widely embraced as we spend more time at home, and those feeling overwhelmed by technology and social media are finding comfort in spaces that invite a slower pace. Choosing timeless heirloom pieces that exude character and quality will provide the fuss-free elegance necessary to achieve this look.
Salisbury CT house: @workstead I Photography: @reed.bryant
Whether your ideal interior aesthetic is that of a windswept coastal cottage or a rustic mountain cabin, maximalist or pared-back, embracing the classic elements of New England style – an alluring balance of natural, hardwearing materials and soft, textural layers – will work beautifully to ensure comfort and warmth in any space.
