1. Set your table for tea

Tea may be quintessentially English but most of us don’t make time for its traditions and rituals. While we’re not pedantic about loose leaves (or when you add the milk) we do believe that a brew tastes so much better when it is poured from a teapot and served in a cup and saucer. It’s easy to find vintage china and fun to mis-match it. For a sense of occasion, set your table with our Bel Tablecloth, layer with Jute Placemats and our co-ordinating Bel Napkins on the side. You might add our Small String Vase with a pretty bunch of sweet peas or handful of dahlias. All you need now are a few cake forks and Mary Berry’s infallible all-in-one Victoria Sandwich recipe.

2. Dress your bed properly

A four-poster might be a bit much for a city flat but there’s no reason why you can’t dress your bed like it is one. Remember to start at the bottom and work your way up. For an instant layer of comfort underfoot when you wake, a rug is essential. Our customer favourite, the jute & wool Cucito Rug, offers versatile neutral tones that suit any scheme, while the bold Ziggurat Kilim Rug introduces an array of vibrant colours to complement your bedroom palette and anchor the whole look - or is a great place to start! Our Margarita Block Printed Valance will keep the bed base looking tidy while providing a colourful foundation for your bed’s scheme. Drape your sheets and duvet with a throw – try our Crochet Throw for a relaxed, cottagey feel or for a bolder, luxurious look, layer with one of our Dumaloq Suzani Throws. Double up the cushions for a generous feel and a better reading position. Our super soft Shisho Velvet Cushions and our geometric Tara Embroidered Cushion work wonderfully together. And for the bedside, a copy of Stella Gibbons’ classic, Cold Comfort Farm, to transport you to the countryside.

3. Mismatch your lampshades

So much of the charm of English country houses is in the way that their interiors evolve over time. Less chuck out the chintz, more make do and mend. Schemes are less rigid and often subtly adapted as items wear out, replacing a moth-eaten rug or a too-saggy armchair with new or antique pieces that bring a fresh energy and more layers to the space. A simple way to do this in your apartment is to mismatch your lampshades. The design cautious might stick to one colour but chose a mix of patterns, like our Scalloped Finestra Lampshade combined with our Trellis Pleated Silk Single Band Lampshade and a Seema Raffia Pendant Candle Lampshade. For the more adventurous, try pairing our fun Edo Stripe Lampshade with a Santa Clara Pleated Block Shade and our Tedate Raffia Candle Shade.

4. Make a garden with vases

At this time of year, no English country home is complete without bunches of flowers foraged from the garden. They bring colour, scent and a sense of achievement that one’s endeavours outside, all that digging and weeding, have finally paid off. Few city flats come with a garden but fear not, because you can create the same look by simply doubling down on the vases – think different colours, shapes and sizes – like our colourful String Vases, a stunning vintage ceramic, and even a simple cut glass jug! Glass Bubble Vase. Line them up along your mantlepiece or cluster on the kitchen table and fill them with seasonal flowers like sunflowers, dahlias and cosmos. Add a flush of greenery with a leafy houseplant in our garden-inspired Large Tôle Trellis Planter from our collaboration with Butter Wakefield. For more floral inspiration, tune into the National Trust’s garden podcasts.

5. Add a wallpaper border

Yes, we did say that these were easy ways to bring English country charm into your apartment but putting up a border is simpler than you might think. It’s certainly a lot less work than wallpapering a whole room and one could argue that the effect is just as dramatic. A border brings character to a plain wall and emphasises the shape of your room. Consider borders like elegant frames for your rooms. The Bloomsbury Group were especially fond of them, just take a look at Charleston Farmhouse for some divinely, decorative inspiration. Our Mariana Floral Border would certainly not look out of place in the home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant – and we think they would approve of the Cuban-inspired Santa Clara Tile Border for its evocation of sunnier climes. English country summers can be somewhat unpredictable. For something simpler, try our Felipe Border, a smart addition to your freshly dressed bedroom.

The Signature Collection: Effortless English Elegance

Transforming your apartment into a haven of English country charm is all about layering detail, texture and personality - and our Signature Collection makes it effortless. From floral designs and textural vases to playful lampshades and beautifully woven rugs, each piece has been designed to bring warmth, character and timeless style to city (or countryside) living. To complete the look, consider pairing these accessories with our made-to-order furniture – from elegant armchairs to hand-carved tables and bookcases - crafted to complement your style while adding individuality to your home. With just a few thoughtful touches, you can create an interior that feels both authentically English and uniquely yours.