The Complete Guide to British Colonial Style

Table Of Content

• What are the key elements of modern colonial interior design?
• A Guide To British Colonial Design
• Bringing Dream Homes to Life: An Insight into Brigette Romanek Interior Design
• Drape Vintage Rugs Over the Floor
• How to Decorate in the Colonial-Style Living Room Design Style
• Unique Ideas for Finishing Touches to Perfect the Visual Aesthetic
• Crafting Colour Harmony, A Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Palette for Your Home

Modern colonial interior design brings together the charm of traditional colonial style with contemporary elements to create a fresh, new look. The right choices can add texture, color, and pattern to your space, bringing life to any room. Think about incorporating natural materials such as linen, jute, or rattan. These materials bring both visual and tactile texture to your space. You can also add vintage or antique rugs or throws with intricate patterns to contrast against modern furnishings.

What are the key elements of modern colonial interior design?

That’s just a tiny taste of what British imperialism meant for those being colonized. But in the same way that we can appreciate works of art created during history’s darkest periods, we can recognize the beauty of the era’s signature aesthetic. While it’s easy to get caught up in the era’s sense of globetrotting adventure, it’s also important to remember that the history of colonialism wasn’t pretty. To the British crown, the lands it colonized were merely sources of raw material for trade and shipping, and it was willing to violently subjugate (or enslave) native people in the pursuit of wealth and power.

A Guide To British Colonial Design

And no one is as excited in the office as I am (as the official trend person). The British occupation of the “tropics” between the 17th and 19th century represents a dark part of history, where exploitation and subjugation are couched under empire discourses of salvation and civilisation. But it was also within this period that we saw a series of cultural amalgamation, evident in the homes of these European immigrants who decided to settle down in their colonies.

Bringing Dream Homes to Life: An Insight into Brigette Romanek Interior Design

Also, with larger windows, this is the best place in the house to keep large plants! Mirrors, large floor lamps or smaller lamps on side tables and a coffee table of some sort complete the room. British colonial interior design is a design trend that commonly represents the 1600s and 1700s British colonial explorers who came to the US. With their arrival, they started the colonial look in the Eastern United States, particularly in New England, Florida, and the West Indies.

Consider also exotic, travel-inspired decor like Chinese ginger jars, blue and white porcelain, magnifying glass, old maps, travel trunks and telescopes. Given that this style stems from the tropics, furniture was made from natural grasses, rattan, bamboo, cane and wicker to allow for any movement and expansion. These materials also add texture – consider a sisal rug, woven light fittings and lots of baskets for storage. Soft chalky whites from plastered walls, dark timber panelling, billowing white drapes and rich dark brown shutters created great tonal variation.

A good colonial-style living room has plenty of ambient light sources. After all, it helps set the ambiance of an 18th-century American home. You can hit two birds with one stone since these lighting fixtures work as decorative and functional pieces.

Tiered potted plants displayed gallery-style also provide interesting perspectives. If going for a colonial feel under modern terms and regulations proves difficult, there are many reproductions of period-style chairs with intricate carvings reminiscent of grand 17th-century English estates. Armchairs typically have leather seats with small, supportive feet resting on polished rugs made from exotic weaves or even animal hides.

Spanish Colonial Design Style - What Is Spanish Colonial Design? - House Beautiful

Spanish Colonial Design Style - What Is Spanish Colonial Design?.

Posted: Tue, 13 Nov 2018 08:00:00 GMT [source]

More modern additions of colonial style homes will have a garage door in the front, as pictured below. This style of home with garage doors in the front isn’t as popular in colonial home design, but you’ll see it from time to time. Tropical plants like palms, ferns, and other natural elements reflected a fascination with local plant life. In British colonial style, the plants featured are a far cry from English tea gardens, instead the design style centers around tropical flowers like orchids and hibiscus. The term British Colonial Decor refers to a variety of styles and designs.

He said the museum “recognises and respects the expertise” of staff and “there are no plans to devolve or change the nature of the repatriation role”. Purchasing pieces to complete your look necessitates deliberate thought in order for your wardrobe choices to tie together harmoniously and project your distinct personality into the world. By considering these three factors—style, quality, and confidence—an individual has ensured that no detail has been overlooked during the selection process, leading to the completion of investment pieces.

Incorporating colonial style into your decor is a simple way to add timeless elegance and comfort to your living space. Here are some simple ways to incorporate British colonial style into your interior design. At its heart, British Colonial decor is often comprised of rustic furniture pieces crafted from tropical and subtropical woods such as mahogany, teakwood, ebony, and rosewood. When selecting your centerpieces, whether an elegant armoire or a simple chair, keep in mind the rough-hewn textures that these woods bring to the design style. Natural finishes create an airy atmosphere, whereas smooth wax coats add depth to dark hues. Some Colonial-era builders saved time and resources by creating a dormered half-story on the upper level instead of an entire second floor.

One of the hallmarks of Colonial houses is the simplicity of their geometry. The straightforward design often makes Colonial houses easy to modify with additions and other renovations. ​​Look at a Victorian home; you'll likely be treated to a visual feast of color and detail. Colonial houses are the flip side of that architectural coin, with few ornaments and restrained color schemes. These facades often rely on white to play up the geometry and proportion of the homes.

Tastemakers can create a distinct look that reflects the spirit of sophisticated exploration found in regions such as Africa and India while remaining respectful of their culture if they take a thoughtful approach. Many of these island were colonized by the British, so this is to be expected. One of the main elements that I see the same are the beautiful bamboo tables and chairs. The beauty with Caribbean style too is that you also have the influences of French decorating. The soft tonal variation of light rattan and the neutral warm brown of local teak furniture is a classic combination which gives the plantation style chair its unique appeal. Early American decor by the British settlers varied geographically, but the design was similar.

This room is usually the living room, which is generally where the British explorers and colonists kept their nicer furniture and was meant for guests to see first. Sometimes there are long entryways or a more open floor plan when entering. Here’s an example of a bigger entryway that leads to a long hallway. A large estate property may have looked like the photo below, with grand pillars leading to a sweeping entrance.

Palm trees, vibrant florals and animal prints feature heavily and evoke memories of exciting times of adventure and discovery. Introduce them in subtle ways by adding a few cushions to an all-white couch, or go all out with a wall covered in an eye-catching jungle mural or botanical-themed wallpaper. Elegant yet exotic, this timeless interior style evokes a relaxed, holiday vibe with the kind of luxurious touches you’d find in a five-star resort. British Colonial style originated in the West Indies, Caribbean, India and Africa in the era of the British Empire and colonisation.

Also, Colonial houses were often built with steeply pitched roofs that enabled practical drainage and access to an attic space. Dormer windows eventually became popular as a way to provide light and ventilation for the upper level, adding to the home's usable living space. Colonial houses, with roots in the 17th century, are examples of one of the oldest house styles in America. However, many ways exist to update these classic houses for contemporary life. For instance, a fresh color palette can modernize the exterior, and additions such as front porches or sunrooms can boost living space. Compared to the lavish residences in Europe, the colonial style had a more cozy, laidback feel.