The Charms of Disconnecting: Creating a Simple Country Home Retreat

While influencers continue to squeeze the hype out of hygee, here’s another back-to-basics Norwegian discipline to follow with catchy phonetics: Hytte, simple country homes that urbanites escape to from the rigmarole of city life. They are basic structures, with minimal electricity and furnishings, which is deliberate. The no-frills appeal dissuades you from a material mentality–enticements are found in the outdoors and leisure activities like the arts, cooking, music and intellectual play. The calm, controlled scheme in our featured East Hampton beach cottage follows the spirit of hytte. It’s intention is to restore, unwind and spend time outside. A reminder of a classic lifestyle that becomes increasingly challenged in our everyday lives.

Decor and leisure accents pull together the theme of a restorative home.

Creating a Unified Look

A paired back design is even more crucial in a smaller home. The locale, home’s time period and innate aesthetic are natural influences for the scheme. Once the style is established, connect through the rooms with a studied treatment. Here, the white foundation captures that epic Hamptons light. A palette of yellow, blue and hints of neons and black are both cohesive and modern. The materials are beach-resistant cottons, painted wood with modern and vintage furnishings to offer style and utilitarian comfort. There’s a roaming-through-a-gallery feel, which is intentional considering the graphic inclusion of art.

Texture and color connect the design.

Furnishings

Select solid pieces that are functional and support the theme. A vintage provenance always seals a personalized look, like a rattan living set painted in an unexpected color–functional and unique. Pillows, woven ottomans and Turkish throws add a comfortable texture and color. The chunky rope rugs warm up the room, which soothe bare feet and keep the space bright and upbeat in the cooler seasons.

Classical Pieces: More than Accents

To reconnect with a simpler lifestyle bring in supporting elements. A record player, deck of cards and an abundance of books are not only part of the decor but part of the routine. Candlelight creates a soft, soothing mood that goes well with music. Thus, weaning from our devices and sketchy coastal wifi has less of a bearing when reuniting with simpler pleasures.