What is preppy style? Well, theres only one definitive source you can reference time and time again: the 1980 classic book, The Official Preppy Handbook. If it must be pinned down, the look is English-American with a dash of seaside resort and womens handicraft. Its where the Chippendale secretary meets the needlepoint-covered brick doorstop, authors Lisa Birnbach, Jonathan Roberts, Carol McD. Wallace, and Mason Wiley write. And while the style has evolved and changed over the decades, the core tenents called out in the book have not: classic, handsome, patina, and mothers.So, then, what is preppy style with a little country flair (our personal favorite take on the look)? Theres less of an emphasis on perfection, plenty of timeworn charm, and more of a celebration of the classic and beloved elementspreferably handed down through the generations!that bring a room together. Think clean paint colors, happy stripes and checks, and a slew of brown furniture. Its somewhere between grandmillennial and coastal grandmother and, as a born-and-bred Southerner, this style is right up my alley! Below, find some of the top preppy elements for you to peruse in-between browsing the latest offerings at Tuckernuck or Draper James. Love Preppy Style? Check Out More Decorating Ideas:1Pick Pine PiecesRead McKendreePreppy design is full of antique furniture. While glossy mahogany might seem like the natural choice, pretty scrubbed pine takes preppy in a more humble direction, especially when paired with soft colors. 2When in Doubt, Add a SkirtLaurey W. GlennTheres really no space a skirted sink doesnt work. From laundry rooms to kitchens to powder rooms, these simple fabric panels provide low-effort upgrades at an equally low cost.RELATED: Our Hall-of-Fame Galley Kitchen IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Stick To ScallopsKerry KirkNothing says preppy style quite like a good scalloped accent. In this blue-and-white powder room, touches of brass and a woven basket for extra linens add to the preppy appeal. RELATED: These Design Ideas For Half-Baths Exude Classic Charm4Feel Out FringeLaurey W. GlennYes, fringe! Theres nothing quite as preppy grandmillennial as a good fringe, especially if its bullion or jute. This simple cream fringe is just the right finishing touch for the skirted table in this entry from designer Whitney McGregor. RELATED: Give Your Guests the Warmest Welcome with These Entryway Decorating IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Go All-In On GinghamRead McKendree for Country LivingGingham has long been a go-to pattern for preppy interiors. Whether its a big splashy moment like this sofa or a smaller accent layered in via pillows or blankets (or even a lampshade!), gingham is the perfect happy pattern thatwe thinkcan act like a solid. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: 90+ Living Room Ideas Youll Love for All Styles of Homes6Show Some Team SpiritBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingThis doesnt mean you suddenly have to veer into varsity decor throughout your house, but there is something undeniably chic about subtle varsity accents, especially in a kids room or den. RELATED: That Vintage College Pendant Might Be Worth More than You ThinkAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Go for GlossLaurey W. GlennIll let you in on a little designer secret: an unexpected glossy paint finish can totally transform and elevate a room. The subtle gloss finish on the cabinetry in this multi-purpose mudroom by designer Lizzie Cox bridges the spaces workhorse purpose and more ladylike feel. RELATED: Why Every Gardener Should Have a Bloom Room8Pick the Perfect WhiteRead McKendreeNothing feels as fresh as crisp white walls. In this breakfast nook-meets-living room designed by Max Sinsteden, a cheery bright white sets the tone for more classic blue-and-white accents and rattan and wood furniture, while a preppy-approved chintz chair peeks in from the corner. Get the Look:White Paint Color: Seapearl by Benjamin MooreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Embrace the Upper Crusty AestheticGridley and Graves for Country LivingPreppy doesnt have to mean pristine. In fact, old school prep was anything but! Think worn L.L. Bean tote bags, perfectly patinaed wood walls, and a casual elegance that only comes from prioritizing timeless comfort. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Upper Crusty Design 10Try a Pair of Twin BedsBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Matthew Gleason for Country LivingLaden down with happy patterns, a pair of classic wood twin beds, preferably with four posters and detailed woodwork, is a great addition to any prepsters guest room. TOUR THIS HOUSERELATED: Designers Weigh In On the Best Way to Use Color in a Country HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Prioritize Built-InsStacy Zarin GoldbergBuilt-ins ooze traditional style, no matter what room theyre in. In this airy blue-and-white kitchen, the built-in cabinetry serves as a passageway from the kitchen through the butlers pantry to the family room. Fill the shelves with your familys hand-me-down china for the ultimate preppy display. TOUR THIS HOUSE12Make a Nod to NauticalJackie Greaney and Paul Havel for Country LivingNothing is quite as classic or effortlessly chic as a good coastal-inspired room. Stick to crusty antiques over newly made pieces to really hammer home that colllected-over-time preppy feel.RELATED: These Beach House Decorating Ideas Will Make Waves in Any HouseAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Layer Pattern on PatternRead McKendreeTake a mix-and-match approach to patterns for a leveled-up preppy feel. In this bedroom designed by Stephanie Woodmansee, stripes, florals, and geometric prints combine for a complete look. RELATED: Our Favorite Bedroom Decorating Ideas of All Time14Mix Wicker and RattanDonna DotanOn the porch, wicker and rattan furniture is a preppy-must, adn the same can be said for inside spaces as well. In designer Ariel Okins colorful sunroom, these classic materials get a punchy update thanks to green upholstery. RELATED: The Best Screened-In Porch Ideas for SpringAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Paint Your FloorsBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingCheckered floors have been around for ages, but its the preppy grandmillennials we have to thank for their recent resurgence. TOUR THIS KITCHENRELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Painting Your Floors 16Accent with Cane Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingClassic caning can elevate almost any space. In this bedroom, accent panels on the headboard and a DIYed lampshade blend a preppy mainstay with contemporary cottagecore. RELATED: Heres Everything You Wanted to Know About CottagecoreAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below17Choose Classic SilhouettesStacy Zarin GoldbergWhen in doubt, pick furnishings that feel timeless. In this living room designed by Cameron Ruppert, a traditional English roll-arm sofa elevates its cozy seating area. RELATED: The Top 20 Types of Sofas and How to Choose the Right One for Your Room18Bet on Blue and WhiteAlec Hemer for Country LivingIts hard to beat a classic color combo, especially one as timeless as blue and white. In this butlers pantry, charming blue beadboard is the star while simple white accents complete the traditional palette. RELATED: These Are The Best Blue Paint Colors, According to DesignersAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Bring Out Your Brown FurnitureHector M. Sanchez for Country LivingBrown furniture is a staple of traditional design, which means its a staple of preppy style. Dark wood furniture has gotten a bad rap over recent years but as traditional design makes its way back into our collective design consciousness, so has beautiful brown furniture. RELATED: Brown Furniture is Trending Again! Heres How to Incorporate It Into Your Home. 20Take a Chance on Block PrintRead McKendree for Country LivingIn recent years, the block print aesthetic has been co-opted by preppy pattern-lovers. Its classic motifs feel fresh in new, exciting color combinations, such as in the yellow-and-white bedroom by designer Marynn Udvarhelyi. RELATED: 35+ Guest Bedroom Ideas to Create a Cozy and Welcoming SpaceAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything youve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When shes not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.