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Country Club Chic Design

October 29, 2024

Calling all prepsters. You don’t have to attend an Ivy League school to steal a little of their style. From bright and preppy to dark and tweedy, country club style is your next best design inspiration.

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Photo: Katie Nixon Photography. From: Caitlin Wilson
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Bring on the Preppy Style

With their history dating back to the late 1800s, country clubs have been an integral part of America’s upper-class lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean the style has remained solely in high society and with the wealthy. Over the years, the fashion has evolved from Brook Brothers’ loafers to 1980’s The Official Preppy Handbook to the early aught’s Gossip Girl to today’s Challengers, while also infiltrating our home’s interiors.

Just like certain pieces of preppy style have stood the test of time — white button-ups, stripes, knits and chinos — the patterns, color combos and striking whites inspired by country club living have also become an essential elements of our homes. Grab your best tennis skirt and polo to scroll through inspiration for bringing the country club life into your home.

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Photo: Spacecrafting. From: Bria Hammel Interiors
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Say Yes to Plaid

On the country club scene, you’re guaranteed to spot a few favorite patterns: herringbone, stripes, tweed, and of course, plaid. Pretty-in-blue plaid wallpaper is a preppy backdrop for this powder room, which also gets a healthy dose of glam with a polished brass vanity and arabesque gold-framed mirror.

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Photo: Greg Premru, Styling by Karin Lidbeck. From: R. Everts Interiors
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Use Tried-and-True Colors

No one does green quite like a golf course, so embrace the brightest of the hue with a Kelly-Green space. The shade is not only reminiscent of putting greens, but it also pairs beautifully with hot pink — another shade that evokes visions of country club life. An abundance of white helps balances out the vivid colors and create some visually breathing room.

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Photo: Spacecrafting. From: Bria Hammel Interiors
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Don’t Forget the Stripes

No country club outing would be complete without a fair number of stripes, so they’re an essential part of bringing the look to your home. A pair of wingback chairs in light blue-and-white stripes add subtle color to this classic neutral living room.

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Photo: Avery Nicole Photography. From: Heather Scott Home & Design
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Stick With the Classics

Some materials, patterns and color combos are always in style no matter the season or decade. And this dreamy laundry room is showcasing some of our all-time faves: a herringbone-pattern backsplash, a basketweave tiled floor and the never-fails blue-and-white color scheme.

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Photo: Adam Albright. From: HGTV Magazine
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Design a Delightful Greeting

A cheery and welcoming entryway is the perfect spot to begin and end your day. For a twist on the traditional shiplap, the boards are laid on the diagonal above the bench, which provides extra storage and a place to slip shoes on and off. A gingham rug adds the just-right touch of charm to the foyer.

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Photo: Chipper Hatter. From: Kristianne Watts
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Mix and Match Patterns

Why choose between two patterns when you can opt for both? Barstools clad in gingham surround the oversized kitchen island and turquoise-and-white stripes add style overhead. The rest of the space is kept simple with white Shaker cabinets, soft gray walls and crisp white countertops.

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Photo: Jacob Snavely. From: Chango and Co.
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Go All Out in Pink

Sweet and delicate, this girl’s bedroom is decked out in pink. The cozy daybed, dressed in a pintuck quilt and additional shades of blush, is set against the dainty plaid wallpaper. Artwork from the beloved childhood picture book Olivia adds whimsy and charm to the space.

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Photo: Katie Nixon Photography. From: Caitlin Wilson
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Decorate Out to Sea

Take a page from this nautical-inspired bedroom and indulge in your own yacht club moment. A merger of checks and plaid, blues and whites all combine for a fresh, understated design. Woven accents and artwork depicting sailboats complement the theme without making it overly kitschy.

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Photo: Janet Mesic-Mackie. From: Mark Lavender
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Walk on the Darker Side

Another trend that we’ve seen pop up on the runway and in our homes is Grandpa Chic. This darker take on the typically light country club look is warm and cozy. Bright white built-ins keep the home office from a full-on smoking-room vibe, but dark woods and a rich red plaid rug infuse the space with a homey aesthetic.

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Photo: Laurey Glenn. From: River Brook Design
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Make a Statement

Go for a real wow factor by taking a bold pattern to the ceiling. Teal buffalo check (the larger cousin of gingham) covers the walls and ceiling in this sloped bathroom. Positioning the double vanity in front of the windows with a strategically placed mirror takes full advantage of the natural light.

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Have Function Meet Style

Height of luxury with a laid-back feel, this bathroom is both practical and posh. With a large soaker tub, walk-in shower and double vanity, the space is designed for the whole family to use — while being sophisticated enough to host grown-ups only. Plaid curtains pull all the colors together, and beadboard wainscoting partners with soft blue walls for a relaxing setting.

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Photo: Spacecrafting Photography. From: Bria Hammel Interiors
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Made for Retreating

Hard not to imagine sinking into the bedroom after a long day of beating your opponent on the tennis court. Gingham, stripes and florals join with solid linens and velvets for a plush, ready-for-relaxing escape. The key to mix a variety of patterns? Sticking with a simple color scheme, such as this light blue-and-white combo with a few navy accents.

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Photo: Spacecrafting Photography. From: Bria Hammel Interiors
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Opt for All White

Prep your tennis whites for the interior. Crisp whites are anything but boring when you incorporate elegant millwork and classic Shaker cabinets. Pinstripes and abstract gingham team up with glam brass hardware and light fixtures to bring instant texture and interest to the space.

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Photo: Katie Nixon Photography. From: Caitlin Wilson
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Gravitate to Pastels

Softer shades of blue and pink are right on trend for any country club design. The mostly white living room gets an infusion of the muted hues with the striped ottoman and scalloped tray, as well as displayed coffee table books.

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Photo: Katie Nixon Photography. From: Caitlin Wilson
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Mix the Old and New

An antique daybed is refinished and then updated with a plush topper. Gingham and floral pillows in navy and white deliver a punch of color, and a Hermes throw blanket definitely ups the luxurious standing of the room.

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Photo: Lisa Romerein. From: HGTV Magazine
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Try a Fresh Take

Instead of the more traditional herringbone, opt for the modern chevron pattern. The glass tiles add an iridescent quality to the timeless bathroom design, and wood floors establish warmth underfoot.

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Photo: Alison Gootee. From: HGTV Magazine
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Make It Your Own

If you love a logo handbag, may we suggest creating your own logo-inspired floor? We love this eye-catching painted floor and how it reminds us of our favorite designer purses. The high-end look is complemented by the rosemary green cabinetry and brass hardware found throughout the kitchen.

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Photo: Jeff Her Photography, Inc.. From: Terracotta Design Build
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Find the Right Materials

For a truly luxurious design, look for materials that portray opulence while also standing the test of style time. Oversized marble tiles create a chic checkerboard floor in this breakfast area, which also showcases a marble-topped dining table surrounded by comfy woven chairs.

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Photo: Ball & Albanese. From: Chango and Co.
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Keep It Simple

Like a sweater tied over your shoulders, this room has an effortless vibe without even trying. (Ok, the sweater over your shoulders might be trying just a little.) Classic wainscoting sits behind a gorgeous upholstered headboard, which allies with easy linens, such as herringbone throws and a clean white duvet.