Modern Country [Hardcover]

Nancy Ingram (Author), Jenifer Jordan (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2006

Modern Country by Nancy Ingram blends the quiet, simple elegance of classic country with a clean, modernist edge to create an entirely new interior genre. When classic country is infused with modern interior design, it becomes bolder. It offers a contemporary attitude, a confident feel that mixes periods, patterns, and pedigrees but embraces the element of restraint. As noted photo stylist and author Nancy Ingram says, "Mix it up and pare it down!"

Modern Country interiors are fresh and lively, with color palettes that include the classics, but combined in new ways or intensities. Monochromatic themes-restful, quiet, calming hues-come into their own in Modern Country. There are no rules-only creative ideas and the courage to blend new with old, traditional with modern, to forge a look that is inviting, warm and even whimsical.

Decorating Ideas Include:

• Modern country decor
• Grouping items for display
• Combining vintage and modern
• Rustic french style
• Mixing storage and design

Eight chapters cover interior design ideas for the living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, laundry room and office, plus a special section on display options and shopping inspirations. Modern Country shows that by blending the best of classic country with modern themes, the hallmarks of country remain-beauty, simplicity, and that nostalgic yearning for a romantic past that characterizes the classic country look.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

This is not your grandmother's farmhouse, with gingham checks and ruffled curtains. Modern country is a look that is sleek, chic, and imaginative. It takes traditional country style to a new level, blending old with new, and mixing periods and patterns.

The style introduces hard edges to classic country looks. It calls forth chrome and glass, metals and leather, to blend with the rustic softness of country style. Collections and knick-knacks are pared-down-reduced and refined-with few frills. What counts is how you display your treasures and how you add contemporary or industrial items to the classic country mix.

The homes featured in Modern Country are those of people who respect the decorating traditions of the past but look to the future with the freshness of new ideas. What they all share is imagination. They have created a look in their homes that is as comfortable as classic country, while adding the surprising flair of modern country. It is a look we think you will love.

M. J. Van Deventer
The author of Western Design and Native American Style, M. J. Van Deventer is a contributor to the Encyclopedia of the American West, The Great Plains Encyclopedia and Women of the Wild West. She has had articles published in Traditional Home, Renovation Style, Southwest Art, Cowboys & Indians, Cowboys and Country, True West and American Cowboy. Along with Charles Faudree, she was the writer for Charles Faudree's French Country Signature and Charles Faudree's Country French Living. She is Director of Publications for the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Jenifer Jordan
Texas-based Jenifer Jordan has been a renowned photographer for more than twenty years, specializing in interior and architectural photography. Her work has been included in many books including Second Home, Cottage Style, Real Life Decorating, Better Homes & Gardens New Decorating Book, and New Classic Style among others. Her work also appears in leading shelter and city magazines. She was the exclusive photographer for the books Charles Faudree's French Country Signature, Charles Faudree's Country French Living, and Carolyn Westbrook Home.

Nancy E. Ingram
Regional Editor for Meredith Publishing since 1988, photo-stylist Nancy E. Ingram produces feature stories for many of the Meredith titles, including Better Homes & Gardens, Traditional Home, Renovation Style, Country Home, and Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publications. Her work is included in Better Homes & Gardens New Decorating Book, New Classic Style, Second Home and Real Life Decorating among others. She produced and was the photo stylist for Charles Faudree's French Country Signature and Charles Faudree's Country French Living. She resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

From the Back Cover

"When classic country meets modern country, it becomes bold. It assumes an edge. It's country with a fresh, contemporary attitude." -From the Introduction

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1 edition (March 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586857827
• ISBN-13: 978-1586857820
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Decoration & Ornament

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Country Style with Chic Appeal, July 26, 2006

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modern Country (Hardcover)

If you are dreaming of the country or want to redecorate your house...or even just find a few new decorating ideas, this book is filled with charming style and chic appeal. Classic and comforting designs warm the pictures as antiques add mystery and a sense of the past.

A granite washbowl is perched atop a antique wooden cabinet, modern lamps blend with wicker chairs, an indoor grass garden adds calm and outside tables find their way into the living room.

The antique, teal-painted cupboards even have sight wear and glass containers filled with breakfast cereals. The ideas in the kitchens are "on display." The teacups are not hidden and country fruit dinnerware highlights the country appeal. Baskets are found throughout whether they are wicker or metal.

The bedrooms have Victorian style with plump down comforters and upholstered chairs for reading. A laundry room doubling as a workout room - now that is something new. This book is filled with unique ideas like chalkboard paint on cupboards so you can leave notes. They even have chalkboard painted mugs.

~The Rebecca Review

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly defining "modern country" style, November 8, 2006

By 

Mountain-Wild (Idyllwild, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Country (Hardcover)

Good-bye gingham, hello French linen. This book is pretty terrific and very inspiring. For one, it defines modern country in most of the photographs, although there are a couple of rooms that seem very dated, perhaps "country" in the 70's, which is the reason I gave it 4 stars rather than 5. As an intuitive stylist, I definitely got a lot out of the way items were displayed, as well as the mix of color and texture in many of the rooms. This is definitely one of my favorite decorating books. I wouldn't recommend it for the novice decorator, but for anyone looking for inspiration to "freshed up" a room, this could be helpful.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just What I Wanted, November 1, 2007

By 

Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Modern Country (Hardcover)

I've been looking for something like this to update my tired looking country decorating. When I moved to my new house, somehow my collections of baskets, antique spice tins, vintage quilts, etc. suddenly seemed lost in the too-new house.
I read about this book in the Orlando Sentinel and liked what it said. The authors use a "Mix it up and pare it down" philosophy. The book tells how to get a country look without the clutter formerly associated with country decorating.
I've started using my collections as special displays in the entertainment unit that covers the whole wall of our great room. The book recommends this rather than having everything out all the time. This way I still enjoy them, but don't have lots of clutter.
I also want to put beadboard and a chair rail in my dining room. Lots of ideas and I appreciate this book getting me started freshening up my country look.