The English style interior is the collective name for the various trends in design and architecture that developed in Great Britain from the Middle Ages to the present. British style can be attracted by elegant restraint, classic luxury, high quality materials, the presence of many decorative elements in the absence of flashy accents. In its complete form, it is an example of elegance and good taste. But in order to recreate it in its entirety, it will take a significant investment..
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The color palette usually consists of three or four colors that make the room cozy and inviting. Colors can be either bright or muted. Modern English style in the interior is distinguished by many romantic patterns and floral prints. Also, the British are fans of muted red. It can be found on carpets and rugs in a large cage. White cabinets are quite popular.
Choice of fabrics
There is an abundance of different fabrics here. Soft sofas upholstered in plush or leather, cushions made of corrugated fabric and lace window curtains look absolutely harmonious. Chintz with floral or printed polka dots and damask are the most popular materials. Interestingly, they can all be combined in one room, where large prints are usually combined with small ones..
Furniture
The classic English style in the interior is represented by Victorian furniture. The predominant material is light or dark wood. It can be dyed, stenciled and antique-looking. Tables, dressers and bookshelves are usually made from oak, mahogany or pine. Accents such as drawer handles can be crafted in brass. Sofas and chairs are usually low-cut and covered with soft tapestry. Soft cushions soften the hard look of wooden chairs and seats.
Decor
The English colonial style in interior design is represented by massive hangers, built-in bookshelves and china cabinets located throughout the house. They flaunt beautiful items and heirlooms. For example, tea sets, straw baskets or photographs in luxurious gilded frames.
Lighting
Rather, soft, diffused lighting is assumed, rather than the presence of one main light source in the form of a lamp on the ceiling. Therefore, you should make a choice in favor of sconces, table lamps and floor lamps, which give a soft warm light. You can complement the interior of the hall with candles in elegant gilded candlesticks.
English-style décor in the spirit of colonial Britain emphasizes the functionality of furniture and items that have an antique but solid feel. The furniture is decorated with fittings: pilasters, beautiful handles and keyhole guards.
In addition, it will complement the design of the rooms:
- Carpet with a spectacular pattern;
- Gold-plated decorative elements;
- English style tiles;
- Wallpaper, lamps and windows in the English style;
- Pillows on the windowsills;
- Richly patterned floor;
- Furniture with curved legs.
This direction is the interweaving of age-old traditions of Great Britain with modern technologies. It will appeal to lovers of home libraries, the comfort of a fireplace, as well as porcelain collectors..
Decorating Tips
Furniture in the English style and necessary interior items
To successfully combine the modern interior and design of an apartment in the English style, it is necessary to supplement the space with the following items:
Fireplace
It is difficult to imagine a true British home without the comfort of a burning fireplace. In the original, it should be a real fireplace, but it can be replaced with a modern electric one. You can convey the spirit of antiquity with the help of natural stone facing of the portal or brickwork, as well as arrange the furniture so that it faces the fireplace. The soft woolen rugs around it add atmosphere.
Chesterfield sofa
The interior of the apartment in the English style necessarily includes this piece of furniture. Coming to us from the 18th century, it looks modern, luxurious and fashionable. The sofa can be made in different interpretations: from dark chocolate leather to soft plush upholstery in different colors. Often this particular sofa becomes the brightest accent of the living room..
Library
Every English home has a place for a collection of books. This can be either a separate room or a wooden rack in the entire wall. It is recommended to recreate the English style in the interior of the apartment in the library with the help of a pair of soft armchairs, a low table and a floor lamp.
Staircase in English style
The staircase made in the aristocratic spirit will become a real decoration of the house. It can be made contrasting by painting the railings and the space between the steps in a light shade and leaving the steps themselves in the color of wood..
Fireplace armchairs
A special piece of furniture is a fireplace armchair upholstered in velvet or natural leather. A room in the English style is known to breathe comfort and luxury. Therefore, all furniture should have soft upholstery (quilted) and comfortable armrests made of high quality dense fabric.
English-style kitchen – modernity in an old-fashioned wrapper
Cuisine in this direction has a peaceful, comfortable and slightly “old-fashioned” feel. Traditional cuisines sometimes include a cozy English-style armchair. A sofa or comfy chairs provide a place to sit and socialize at home. Ceiling beams, arched doorways and kitchen islands are typical kitchen features in such an interior..
Colour
The classic English style kitchen interior has the following color schemes: antique white, light gray, light yellow, soft cream and other pastel shades. Details such as curtains, canopies, dishcloths, seat cushions and tablecloths provide excellent opportunities for highlighting vibrant color accents.
Materials (edit)
The most important thing to rely on when choosing a material for a kitchen is reliability. Therefore, in order to create a design that will last for many years, it is important to select high quality materials. Mainly used are natural stone, wood and marble, furniture and kitchen sets of which are decorated with expensive gilded fittings and carvings.
Cabinets and kitchen islands
To bring the desired “antique” effect to the dining room in the English style, you can use the glazed kitchen cabinets painted white. The built-in sideboard has two functions: it displays beautiful kitchen items and also serves as storage space. Glass cabinet doors and open shelves filled with woven baskets, old teapots, Chinese dishes and other antiques add a special charm and comfort.
English style dishes and accessories
Hang pictures in the kitchen that convey the British spirit. These can be pictures of scenic countryside, farm animals, or hunting scenes. Copper pots, old jugs, collections of teapots, cups and saucers or antique kitchen utensils located on open shelves and cabinets are perfect additions..
A kitchen design might include a kitchen island surrounded by upright backrest chairs and woven seats. Granite is the best for the work surface..
Bedroom in the English style: an island of tranquility and comfort in the house
To convey the English style in the interior design of the bedroom, you cannot do without a truly king-size bed. The ideal option would be a luxurious bed with a high, four-poster headboard and beautiful carvings, made of natural dark wood. The atmosphere in the bedroom will also be created by the presence of many fabrics: draped curtains, bedspreads with embroidered small flowers, plaid blankets and several pillows of different sizes..
Living room in the English style – the hearth and soul of the house
The living room in this design is ideal for a comfortable stay. Due to the climatic features of the region, a characteristic feature of such a dwelling is the presence of “insulating” details. First of all, a fireplace, as well as deep armchairs and sofas with high backs and “ears” that protect the sitting person from drafts.
The English style in the interior of the living room is represented by the dining table and sofa located in the center. It should be noted that an important element is the bookshelves, which sometimes take up the entire height and width of the wall. The decor uses an abundance of accessories: pillows, openwork napkins, porcelain items. As for the colors, the British prefer cream, honey, dark red and beige tones..
What materials prevail in a living room with a fireplace? For the floor, a natural wood of dark colors or a laminate in a large cage is suitable, which visually expands the room. The walls are treated with varnished wall panels, wallpaper, and fabric. You can put a light carpet with floral patterns on the floor..
Bathroom in English style
To implement the design idea, it is desirable to have a spacious bathroom. According to the design requirements, pieces of furniture should be arranged so that it is possible to move between them without difficulty, which is difficult to achieve if the bathroom is ultra small..
Traditionally, the bathroom interior is decorated with contrasting black and white ceramic tiles. But this is not the only option. Walls can also be treated with wallpaper and wood. In this case, the lower part is revetted with wooden panels, and the upper part is pasted over with wallpaper with a floral pattern. The top should always be lighter than the bottom.
To embody this classic trend, you need a special retro bathtub. It should be cast iron, with fancy-shaped forged metal legs. The use of modern ergonomic technology in the bathroom, inspired by the design of this region, is unacceptable..
Hallway in the English style
The home of the true inhabitants of Foggy Albion can be met in different ways: from a huge empty hall to a small room with a set of the most necessary furniture. Already here you can see the love of the British for antiques, and the entrances to the adjacent rooms are often draped with heavy curtains..
Children’s room in the English style
The children’s room should ideally be divided into zones: playroom, bedroom and desk (if the child goes to school). As for the color scheme, you can use the traditional tones for decoration: cream, beige, pale pink and white in combination with more saturated shades (burgundy, green, brick color and red).
Romantic patterns with small flowers are suitable for a girl, and an adventure or sea theme will be ideal for a boy. The colors of the UK flag are also popular. English-style children’s furniture usually includes a bed with many pull-out shelves under the bottom and several wardrobes..
House in the English style
The house in this design seems to have descended from the pages of Jane Austen or a collection of fairy tales for children. It usually has two floors and is surrounded by a garden. Stone and brick are used in cladding, but they can be combined with wood. These materials provide durability due to their moisture resistant properties. The facade of the house in the English style is massive, reliable and has high windows. The layout of the house provides for a fireplace.
Tudor style house
Such a house is easily recognizable by its symmetrical forms, a tower above the main entrance and a glazed veranda. The basis of the house is a supporting beam frame filled with clay, brick or foam concrete. The English style in the interior of the house in the spirit of Tudor implies the first floor of stone, and the second and third are faced with light plaster.
“Country” house
The main feature of the country house is the use of natural materials: stone and wood. Most often this is a one-story building of correct proportions with an attic, which is reserved for the bedroom. It is characterized by semicircular roofs reminiscent of Shakespeare’s thatched roofs. The sides of the house can be tiled or plastered. The interior of the house in the English country style presupposes a fireplace, and outside the house you can see a protruding chimney.
Also watch a video about one beautiful English interior:
Our stories about beautiful English houses and apartments:
– Lovely English interiors by designer Jessica Buckley
– Candy interior of an English house
– Compact but sophisticated apartment in London
