A Return to the Countryside: Design That Smells Like Grandma's Summer.

But don't worry, we're not trying to convince you to move permanently to the sticks and start alpaca farming (though it does sound tempting!). We want to show you that a return to the countryside (to a home outside the city, an old homestead, a small summer cottage) is today's new definition of luxury. The "in my countryside era" trend is an evolution of cottagecore, and at the same time, an aesthetic and lifestyle celebrating a return to nature, simplicity, and an escape from overstimulation. An escape towards a space that promises peace and quiet, but does so with impeccable taste.

Because let's face it: escaping to the countryside doesn't mean giving up design icons or your love for beautiful objects. Quite the opposite – it's here, amidst nature, that your favorite accessories gain soul, space, and time for you to finally start using them...

When we think of country style, we often fear falling into excessive rustic charm. But the "countryside era" in its 2026 version isn't about chickens on the curtains! It's a blend of aesthetics worthy of a Nancy Meyers film, cottagecore, and modern barnhouse. Remember those kitchens in "The Holiday" or "It's Complicated"? These are interiors that look lived-in, authentic, and incredibly cozy. Add design and quality that will last for generations, and you're all set to settle into your countryside era.

Comfortable and without pressure, because it's also a "lived-in" style – one where a linen tablecloth can be slightly wrinkled, the countertop dusted with powdered sugar, and a ceramic mug has an irregular edge. It's about designing tranquility that makes you feel like yourself – whether you're escaping to a country house for the whole summer or just an extended weekend.

If you've ever watched the iconic series Escape to the Country, you know that everything begins and ends in the kitchen. It's where we celebrate being in the here and now. My absolute number one and the "hero" of this trend is the new, thyme-colored collection from Le Creuset. A cast iron casserole dish in this shade isn't just any pot – it's a promise of slow-cooked stew and shared dinners under the open sky. Placed proudly on the stove, it becomes the focal point of the home. And for breakfasts and sauces? Stainless steel or copper pots from Hestan are a promise of flavors (and cookware) that will stay with you forever.

Next to the casserole dish and copper saucepan, the countertop simply must feature wooden cutting boards and sturdy salt and pepper mills. These natural textures are what make the space feel warm. And on open, wooden shelves? Floral porcelain from Villeroy&Boch or Kähler. This is the epitome of modern sentimentalism – dishes that look like they've been pulled from grandma's cupboard, but with a touch of contemporary design.

There's no countryside era without the ritual of morning coffee. But forget about random vessels. Here, the choice is simple: either we go for raw, ceramic cups and mugs from Ferm Living, Bloomingville, or Serax, which, with their irregularities, resemble artisanal treasures, or we opt for enamel mugs. The latter are an absolute hit in the 'nostalgia' category – lightweight, indestructible, and associated with camping holidays or berry picking expeditions. This is design that isn't afraid of adventures and looks great on a stone step outside the house.

In the countryside, a home must smell of vanilla and baked apples. This is where other icons come into play: a KitchenAid or Smeg stand mixer. In pastel or classic shades, they look like they've stepped out of a 1950s American kitchen, but they work like professional chefs! Add to that heavy, wooden rolling pins, ceramic loaf pans, and baking dishes from Emile Henry. Because baking in a country cottage is the highest form of relaxation – it's a moment where only the here and now matters, and the joy of sharing what's good.

Country life is about living in rhythm with nature, and nothing grounds you in the "here and now" quite like tending to plants. Even if your "garden" consists of three basil pots, let them be pots from Bergs Potter – made from noble materials – in raw or glazed versions. Add to that watering cans and vases – for all those peonies you'll grow (or buy at the market) and poppies you'll gather in the meadow.

Remember: in this style, vases should never compete with the flowers. They are meant to be a backdrop for wild bouquets that look as if you've just picked them during a stroll. Wait, wait, you actually did pick them during a stroll, right?

And if you only come to your country cottage for the weekend? You can always be greeted by always fresh, eternally beautiful flowers from Botane.

In the modern take on country style, walls are no longer bare. Think of a decorative kilim or botanical prints – subtle sketches of vegetables and plants that look like they've been torn from old nature atlases, folk paper cut-outs, or plant illustrations. And if you want to add a touch of magic to the interior, go for a modern cuckoo clock. It's a brilliant link between nostalgia and contemporary design, and a decoration that reminds you every hour that time in the countryside flows differently. Slower. Better.

And what about our four-legged friends? After all, there must be a dog in the countryside! But even here, we don't make aesthetic compromises. Colorful dog accessories from HAY and Paikka jackets (because in the countryside, we walk even in the rain!) are a brilliant, modern accent that says: "I love tradition and dogs, but I also play with form." Because country luxury is also your pet's comfort at its best.

The countryside era isn't just about furniture and accessories; it's a state of mind. It's morning coffee in your favorite mug, it's hay-themed bedding from Foonka that makes you wake up with a smile, even in the city center.

Escaping to a country cottage (whether real or in your head) is an investment in your well-being. It's proof that timeless design and rural simplicity are a perfect match.

My advice for you today? Pause. Pull out a floral plate, prepare a delicious asparagus tart, and feel that luxury is precisely this moment of peace you've given yourself. No matter where you are right now, I wish you always feel at home.