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The fresh and timeless look of the New England style can be comfortably incorporated into most homes. Whites, blues and natural wood sit nicely in any style of architecture and the classic yet contemporary feel appeals to all ages and both sexes. I recently transformed one of my own bedrooms into a New England style haven of light and calm but strangely my inspiration came not from Maine but from Germany!

The Inspiration

One of my rooms was in desperate need of transformation having been ignored for more than a decade and being afflicted by some hideous paint effects and a clutter of mismatched and largely unappealing furniture. I had been pondering what to do with this horrible room and been struck by a horrible case of indecision until I visited Europa Park in Germany. A theme park was the last place I expected to find a stylish look that would capture my interest but the rooms at the new Bell Rock Hotel did just that. One look at one of the bedrooms and my decision was made. The rooms were light and airy with an unpretentious and earthy feel. Wooden floors and furnishings combined with crisp white linen and some striking blue and white striped wallpaper to create a clean and modern look with a homely feel. I was in the middle of Germany and yet I could almost smell the sea.

Creating the Look

Happily the New England style is all the rage and so sourcing what I needed to transform my room was possible even in the home counties of old England. The nasty old carpet was replaced by lime washed oak flooring and the walls painted bright white with a feature wall of light blue and white striped paper. The old oppressive oak furniture was removed in favour of some gorgeous painted white pieces in the shaker style and some funky striped curtains hung where a truly horrible pair of florals had once been. All the room then required was a few colour accents and nautical details. I added a cute model lighthouse and in a nod to the American theme I invested in a comforter for the bed which featured blue stars. With the comforter and the wallpaper I now had stars and stripes!

The Style

New England decoration is about fresh white paintwork and white or natural wood furnishings with accents of blue and a nautical flavour. Clean lines and marine shades combine to produce a striking but welcoming space with a contemporary feel but with the simplicity and charm of old America. Appropriate wooden flooring is now easy to obtain as are shaker style furnishings and nautical accessories. Rooms can include a ships wheel, painted oars and marine lanterns to highlight the nautical theme and there are numerous quirky coat hooks, mirrors and ornaments on offer to complete the look. I don’t think I have finished shopping yet as I am constantly seeing interesting pieces which would suit my room and somewhere I have a collection of seashells which are going to have to feature even if they did come from Florida!

Sally Stacey is a keen blogger who is in the middle of transforming her home into an alltogether more appealing place.