You’ve heard of politically-correct which is so… sigh… yesterday. Much more fun and meaningful is the term “fashionably-correct” and particularly when paired with “country house”. This is the style made popular by muses such as Isabella Blow in the 1990s and early 2000s. She and her husband would entertain at their Country estate in the UK with a totally-couture type of creativity.

You know, spending a day or evening in the country in designer garments, custom-crafted hats and stylish stilettos. It helps to have sheep and peacocks strolling the lush hillsides nearby, stone walls and flower gardens in the blurred background. Perfect hair, makeup and nails.

That’s my idea of life in the country. Who said anything about roughing it?

I’ve stayed at lake villas and other fabulously-fashionable digs. Every plated dish with its squiggle or swirl of sauce reduction and sprinkle of chopped basil or Italian parsley would bring a smile to the lips. Each smooth blend of coffee arriving in a Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Machine would confirm: it’s going to be a great weekend.

Opera music crescendoed inside, convergences of historic home with often-modern furnishings. There was no thought of copy-cat designs.

All was original and one-off (one-of-a-kind), from decor to diamond-like finishes. Traipsing across trails never had it so special and country breakfasts were crepes cooked with caviar.

Forget the jeans and Wellingtons, get out the fancy frocks and Manolo Blahniks—we’re headed to the country house on steroids!

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