Just the right balance...

Last week I started a series on creating your own take on a timeless, cozy, English-style home wherever you are. We began with the overarching theme of creating rooms that you, as a real human being, can actually live in and enjoy. (Catch up HERE.)

This week, just as I predicted, I changed my mind on the next topic (adding whimsy to your home will come later, I promise!) because I am currently excited about the upcoming debut of a new addition to our own Woodland Creatures collection!

One of the first things I ever noticed about how the English decorate, especially in countryside cottages, is their love of animals and the nature that surrounds them.

Peek into any English decor book or lifestyle magazine (like Country Living UK Edition or Period Living, two of my faves) or watch any British home show (like Location, Location, Location or Escape to the Country) and you'll see furry friends on a pillow here, an art print there, in kitchen cabinets, and on tabletops.

The trick is not to overwhelm the space, but to add to the decor with little touches, as pictured above.

Just the right balance!

In our own home, we are blessed to have the original Woodland Creatures watercolors by our daughter Maddie, which has been a classic collection at The Hare & The Hart since she helped me launch the business (from our home studio way back in 2016!)

These paintings have pride of place in our TV snug, and we corralled them on a gallery wall and unified them with large frames, as each painting was not the same size. There were eight creatures in the collection originally, and last holiday season we added two more: the possum and the raccoon.

The newest woodland friend to join the collection will be revealed soon: my hint is that it is a species that is native to our area, an elusive animal that you can glimpse while driving through our countryside in the Red Hills region (if you are lucky and keep your eyes peeled).

In addition to wall art (Maddie's art is available as prints and on many items; see some below), other ways to add a cozy animal touch to your home are: tabletop accessories, pillows and throws (oh my goodness, we nearly sold out of the woolen throws last week - but we got a new shipment and now we have matching pillows too!), mugs, and even dog beds.

Rugby just got his newest dog bed this week (as you know, he has a bed in every room)!

This one has pride of place in the kitchen, and it's from English designer Sophie Allport, featuring her Highland Stag, which was the first of Sophie's designs I ever saw. I still have the tea towel which I bought in a shop in Chipping Campden nine years ago!

We just received a shipment from Sophie Allport containing dog beds (as you know, we try everything out at home, and Rugby is enjoying his!) as well as a plethora of dog toys - perfect for your pooch's Christmas stocking!

I'd love to hear from you about how you decorate with animal art and accessories! For more ideas, do indeed scroll down to see our own designs and other items we have scattered throughout our home and shop.

Do you have a guess as to which animal is being added to Maddie's Woodland Creature collection? Email me at amy@thehareandthehart.com

xo,