Over the past decade, country decorating has changed significantly. The look has gone from swathes of gingham and tiny spaces to a fresher, cleaner style that's more Shaker than colonial. While the look of handmade crafts and handy-work is still beautiful, it's now about an effort to bring some elements of the modern in, as well.

One quick way to blend the contemporary and the past, is to mix traditional farm antique furniture with a few, select modern pieces. Also, starting with a generally neutral wall pallet can really update your look, while letting your selected jabs of color really stand out. You want the room to feel fresh, not crowded and overwhelming.

The three basic elements to updating your country décor style are color, clutter, and space. The first to look at is color. Simplify the colors in a room. You want to keep most of your textiles neutral and then bring in just a few hits of color, or one select piece in an eye-catching, tiny print. Don't swathe the place in rose prints and gingham checks.

The second is to declutter. Only keep what you love. By getting rid of the pieces and things that you don't need or don't completely satisfy you as a piece of decor, you will dramatically transform your space. The resulting open feeling will immediately update the room, bringing your country décor into the modern day.

Finally, space. After your decluttering efforts, you should have some. Frame the room with your large-scale furniture. Then use classic farm pieces, like hutches and runners to ground the walls. Don't overrun the room with furniture and try to stay on top of your decluttered and clean look.