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British colonial style decorating was created when British citizens went to live in Africa, India, Asia, and the Caribbean in the late 1800's. They adapted their refined British interior design style to the climate and available materials where they moved. Here are a few ways to add British colonial style to your home. ArchitectureThe architecture of homes in a British colonial style typically has high ceilings to let the heat rise and keep the room a bit cooler. Oversized ceiling fans were also used to keep the rooms cool. The ceilings were often made of wood and floors were made of wood or stone, since they were readily available. Walls were usually solid white in color or stained wood. Windows were used to let in light and a breeze. Opening windows on opposite sides of the home created cross ventilation to keep the home cool. Shutters on the windows helped control the light and protect the windows in extreme weather. FurnitureBritish expatriates liked formal furniture in dark mahogany wood that withstands humid climates. Upholstery was often solid white in color, but sometimes had a pattern such as a botanical or simple stripe. They also appreciated the campaign furniture style, which is furniture that is easily disassembled, packed, and moved. Campaign furniture was often made of lighter weight local materials, such as bamboo, wicker, and rattan. Steamer trunks and suitcases are sometimes used as furniture. FabricsMany fabrics in a British colonial home were solid white linen or cotton. They did use some botanical prints and animal prints in small quantities as accent fabrics, typically on throw pillows, placemats, throw blankets, and other small items to add softness and style to a room. An interior designer tip is to be very careful using tropical or exotic printed accent fabrics depicting animals, animal print, or botanicals because they can often look juvenile and cheap, like they were a mass produced trinket bought at a cheap gift shop. Rugs were often a natural colored jute, sisal, or sea grass, however sometimes locally purchased oriental rugs. In bedrooms, there was often a four poster mahogany bed surrounded by a solid white mosquito netting. ArtworkBritish families at that time were very interested in the study of botany, so botanical items are often used as artwork. They also hung ornate mirrors on the wall. British colonial homes were often dominated by windows, so minimal artwork was necessary. AccessoriesBritish expatriates were well traveled and liked to show off their quality home furnishings. They enjoyed displaying fine crystal, fine china, silver items, Asian blue and white chinoiserie porcelain, pineapple symbols, animal horn, tortoise shell, hurricane lamps, seashells, maps, and telescopes. When decorating your home, try to avoid monkey prints and palm tree prints that are not true to style. Try not to go overboard with an overuse of pineapple decor. PlantsIndoor plants are very common in British colonial style homes. There was often a potted palm tree, perhaps some potted ferns, as well as some exotic looking flowers (such as an orchid) in the living areas.
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British colonial style decorating was created when British citizens went to live in Africa, India, Asia, and the Caribbean in the late 1800's. They adapted their refined British interior design style to the climate and available materials where they moved. Here are a few ways to add British colonial style to your home. ArchitectureThe architecture of homes in a British colonial style typically has high ceilings to let the heat rise and keep the room a bit cooler. Oversized ceiling fans were also used to keep the rooms cool. The ceilings were often made of wood and floors were made of wood or stone, since they were readily available. Walls were usually solid white in color or stained wood. Windows were used to let in light and a breeze. Opening windows on opposite sides of the home created cross ventilation to keep the home cool. Shutters on the windows helped control the light and protect the windows in extreme weather. FurnitureBritish expatriates liked formal furniture in dark mahogany wood that withstands humid climates. Upholstery was often solid white in color, but sometimes had a pattern such as a botanical or simple stripe. They also appreciated the campaign furniture style, which is furniture that is easily disassembled, packed, and moved. Campaign furniture was often made of lighter weight local materials, such as bamboo, wicker, and rattan. Steamer trunks and suitcases are sometimes used as furniture. FabricsMany fabrics in a British colonial home were solid white linen or cotton. They did use some botanical prints and animal prints in small quantities as accent fabrics, typically on throw pillows, placemats, throw blankets, and other small items to add softness and style to a room. An interior designer tip is to be very careful using tropical or exotic printed accent fabrics depicting animals, animal print, or botanicals because they can often look juvenile and cheap, like they were a mass produced trinket bought at a cheap gift shop. Rugs were often a natural colored jute, sisal, or sea grass, however sometimes locally purchased oriental rugs. In bedrooms, there was often a four poster mahogany bed surrounded by a solid white mosquito netting. ArtworkBritish families at that time were very interested in the study of botany, so botanical items are often used as artwork. They also hung ornate mirrors on the wall. British colonial homes were often dominated by windows, so minimal artwork was necessary. AccessoriesBritish expatriates were well traveled and liked to show off their quality home furnishings. They enjoyed displaying fine crystal, fine china, silver items, Asian blue and white chinoiserie porcelain, pineapple symbols, animal horn, tortoise shell, hurricane lamps, seashells, maps, and telescopes. When decorating your home, try to avoid monkey prints and palm tree prints that are not true to style. Try not to go overboard with an overuse of pineapple decor. PlantsIndoor plants are very common in British colonial style homes. There was often a potted palm tree, perhaps some potted ferns, as well as some exotic looking flowers (such as an orchid) in the living areas.
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Are you looking for ways to add touches of English Country to your home? As you know, I am a huge fan o...
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Completed in 1908 in Pasadena, United States. The essential nature of architecture by Greene & Greene begins with intense attention to detail and craftsmanship, as their bungalows mark the...
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English country style is popular in many places in the world, not just England, because of its warmth, coziness, and character. This style started in the rural parts of England and feature an abundance of antique, vintage, and/or thrifted traditional floral prints, natural materials, and classic furniture pieces that seem to be collected throughout the years. Here are some interior designer tips & tricks for how to decorate in an English country style in your home. Furniture PiecesThere are several classic furniture pieces commonly found in English country style homes. These furniture pieces are typically antiques. A common English country sofa is a brown leather chesterfield sofa. Other options include a roll-arm sofa or a slipcovered sofa with a skirt in a white, khaki, or cream color. Wingback chairs are very popular in living rooms. Bookcases, or perhaps an entire library, is very common in the English country style. The bookcases are filled with mostly vintage or antique books. Smaller English country homes often have a vintage or antique farmhouse table in the kitchen. Many larger homes will have a billiard or card table. Bedrooms often have a four poster bed. Choose a Warm and Inviting Color PaletteEnglish country style homes are decorated in soft and natural colors that have a comforting and natural feel. Muted pastel colors like pale pink, soft blue, and sage green are perfect to use in an English country style, since they mirror the colors of the blooming flowers and lush greenery of the English countryside. Don't forget the white or cream colored accents so the room does not look too dark. Earthy tones like terracotta, rust, and mustard yellow are also great options, as they create a cozy and inviting ambiance. A neutral brown stained wood color is also prevalent in furniture as well as architecture. Embrace Natural MaterialsUse natural materials when decorating your English country style for the most authentic look. Look for pieces made from wood, leather, wicker, rattan, and other organic materials that add a sense of warmth and texture to your home. Stained wood furniture pieces are a great choice for an English country style, however older wood pieces in poor repair can be repaired and painted to give them new life. Wood or stone floors are most common in traditional English country homes. Brick flooring is also a good option. Stone interior walls or fireplaces are another natural feature of many English country cottages. ArtThe most popular art for an English country home is a framed oil painting #ad. These paintings usually have an ornate antique gold or stained wood frame. The subject matter of these paintings are typically family portraits, landscapes, or animals, such as dogs and/or horses. Don't worry too much about your artwork matching, since art that looks collected throughout the years is very common. Add Floral PrintsOne of the most popular repeating elements in an English country style home is the use of floral prints and floral patterns. Consider decorating your home with floral patterns on your upholstery, curtains, bedding, and/or wallpaper. Popular flower types used in the English country style are the rose, peony, lily, lavender, poppy, and iris. You can mix and match different floral patterns in your room for a unique eclectic look that is one-of-a-kind. If you don't want to cover your room with flowers everywhere, try decorating with just a few floral patterns through accessories like throw pillows, blankets, or rugs. A needlepoint pillow #ad or seat cushion with a floral pattern is very common in English country decorating. Layer TexturesFor a cozy English country room, make sure to layer your textiles instead of just using the same fabrics throughout your room.Decorate with different textiles (like wool, linen, leather, velvet, and cotton) to create a room that feels collected and eclectic. Mixing and matching different textiles adds depth and interest to your space. For example, a wool plaid/tartan blanket draped over a linen sofa creates a cozy and inviting spot to sit for a while and read your favorite book. A linen pillow on a leather sofa creates a nice textural contrast so the leather sofa does not look so formal or uninviting. Choose Cozy LightingLighting is an important element in any design aesthetic, but it is especially in an English country style. English country style homes tend to be a little dark and moody, perhaps because England is known for its dark and dreary weather. Make sure to use multiple sources of lighting instead of just your overhead light bulb in the center of your ceiling. Many designers prefer to not use ceiling light at all except for when bright light is required, such as when cleaning. Table lamps, floor lamps, uplighting on something with an interesting texture (a stone wall or a potted plant), chandeliers, and wall sconces are great lighting options. Make sure that all of your light bulbs are the same color of light, listed as a number followed by the letter K. For a warm aesthetic, you will want light bulbs around 2700K. Mix and Match PatternsMixing and matching patterns is one of the characteristics of English country style since many of the items have been passed down from generation to generation. Don't be afraid to combine floral prints with stripes or plaid patterns with checks. When mixing patterns, don't select patterns with the same scale, else the patterns might feel too cluttered. Instead, select a large scale pattern, such as a floral, with a medium scale pattern, such as a plaid/tartan, with a small scale pattern, such as a small stripe print. The key is to keep the colors cohesive so the patterns don't clash. Experiment putting different items together to see how they look. You never know which items might unexpectedly look good together! Incorporate Vintage and Antique PiecesDecorating your home with vintage and antique pieces is the best way to get the English country look. These pieces add character to your home since they are unique and often a much higher quality than items made today. Look for vintage artwork, old-fashioned lighting fixtures, and classic furniture pieces to create a lived-in and comfortable environment. Understand the difference between distressing and damage. Distressing is when furniture or decor is altered over time from standard wear and tear. Damage is when furniture or decor is altered all at once, such as your dog chewing on the leg of your table while stressed out due to scary loud weather. Distressing is good since it showcases the heritage of the piece. Damage is bad and should be repaired. WoodworkWoodwork is very popular in English country homes. Exposed ceiling beams that might look a little rustic are very common. Some larger homes have stained wood paneling on the entire wall instead of plain drywall walls. Smaller homes will often have painted paneling, such as beadboard or wainscotting. This paneling sometimes covers the entire wall but other times is only on the bottom third of the wall. The woodwork is often painted white or a light color to make the home look lighter & brighter or a darker color to make the home feel a bit cozier. Add AccessoriesDon't forget to add many accessories to your English country-style home since many homes of this style tend to be nearly cluttered with an abundance of stuff that has been passed down to them for generations. Look for items like floral-printed cushions, woven baskets, and vintage knick-knacks to add personality and character to your space. Walking sticks, equestrian items, Staffordshire dog statues #ad taxidermy, antique books, pottery, classic hunting items, floral china, and a grandfather clock are common English country home accessories. Embrace ImperfectionOne of the defining characteristics of English country style is its imperfection since many of the high quality pieces of furniture and decor have been used by the family for many decades. Embrace the lived-in and almost shabby look of antique and vintage pieces. Look for furniture with patina and character and don't be afraid to mix and match different styles & eras. English country homes are typically not perfectly curated and well designed. More commonly, the items in the home have been collected over decades and tend to look a bit cluttered and a tiny bit messy. Imperfection adds personality and charm to your space and gives your home a sense of history. Live Plants and FlowersEnglish country style celebrates the outdoors, especially during the cold winters. Adding potted plants #ad can make a sterile room feel more alive and happy. You can also add fresh flowers for a colorful touch either weekly or on special occasions when you have guests. Consider planting your own cut flower garden so you can bring seasonal flowers inside your home. Roses are a very popular flower choice for a cutting garden.
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