For an inspiring read, look no further than the latest in Ros Byam Shaw’s ‘Perfect English’ series, Perfect English Farmhouse which explores contemporary farmhouse style: Organic, Traditional, Farm Fresh, No Frills and Funky. The houses shown are no longer working farms but have been adapted to modern lifestyles and the way they are decorated varies from old-fashioned charm to laid-back modern.

The cover image and the photographs below are all of potter Patricia Low’s Hampshire farmhouse. Above, a sofa covered in Polish grain sacks stands against the oak screen wall of the living room.

The farmhouses rises behind a screen of box and holly.

The original granary has been converted into Patricia Low’s studio, where she makes her exquisite coil pots, examples of which are displayed on a shelf next to the wood-burning stove.

A quintessential English bedroom, furnished with antique floral textiles. The chair has two layers of old fabric; its original loose cover, and another slip cover on top, which Patricia says is ‘incredibly torn and tatty but very pretty’.

At the end of each chapter a spread highlights the key elements of that particular decorative look. There is also a comprehensive list of suppliers to help readers create their very own perfect farmhouse style.

Perfect English Farmhouse is published by Ryland, Peters & Small, £30.

Photography by Jan Baldwin.

www.rylandpeters.com