How to decorate an interior in the English style?

Description and style features

The interiors in the English style are a direct reflection of the British mentality. The same restrained, a little prim, practical, but at the same time very cozy.

Typical features of the design in the English style:

1. Natural wood... Lot wood... Traditional designs have mostly used sturdy, reliable woods such as walnut or oak. Not only was the furniture made of wood, but also the decoration.
2. Symmetry... Windows and doors are arranged strictly symmetrically. Furniture, if possible, is also installed "mirrored".
3. Smooth shapes... Armchairs, sun loungers, sofas have soft, rounded outlines: even in a harsh at first glance chester (a symbol of the English style) - rounded armrests and backrest.
4. Decorative patterns... The classic English cage is perfectly combined with floral, plant motifs and stripes.
5. Fireplace... Also, as it is difficult to imagine a Russian hut without a stove, it is impossible to recreate the dwelling of the British without a fireplace, or at least an imitation of it.

If you have carefully studied the photographs of British interiors, you must have noticed that they all have the repeating details listed above, but they look completely different. The fact is that the formation of this noble trend took place over 300 years, during this time not only monarchs changed, but the world as a whole: and such global changes could not but affect the appearance of houses.

Each era has its own distinctive features:

• Elementary... During the heyday of the lush Rococo, the British preferred the restrained Romanism and Gothic, with this the birth of their own style began.
• Georgian... Strict, restrained, but at the same time pompous - it was based on the architecture of Ancient Rome.
• Victorian... Colonial details intertwined with Baroque solutions.

In a modern English style, traditional features have been preserved in the interior, but the design has become lighter and more minimalistic. At the same time, he remained the same restrained, accurate and thoughtful.

Indoors in the English style will be comfortable for people with a "British" character who value order, simplicity, and restraint. Collectors will also like the interior, because the atmosphere is conducive to the demonstration of your favorite antique collections.

Color spectrum

Due to the abundance of wood in the interior, the basis of the color scheme is brown and its shades... Deep, muted tones of green, blue, burgundy are chosen as companions. Orange shades are often used - terracotta, ocher, copper, brick.

An overly dark interior can be diluted with light complex tones - ivory, beige, cream. Pure white is rarely used, mainly only as a background - for example, on upholstery with ornament.

Materials and finishes

Interior design in the English style begins with the renovation of the premises:

Ceiling

At the beginning of the 18th century, white surfaces with moldings, stucco... With the development of colonization, beam structures came into fashion, adding dynamics and volume to high ceilings in private mansions.

Walls

There are several ways to decorate walls in the English style:

• Wood... Timber panels with symmetrical moldings are a classic often used in living rooms or study rooms.
• Wallpaper... Mandatory with a pattern: flowers, a cage, a strip, a flower.
• Paint... Both plaster and wood are painted in a solid deep shade. Options can be combined: for example, use a tree below, and bright wallpaper on top.

In the photo, wall decoration with wooden panels

Floor

When decorating living spaces in the English style, choose natural parquet or parquet board. Tiles are acceptable in kitchens and bathrooms (usually black and white).

Windows and doors

Interroom and, moreover, the entrance doors are massive, preferably made of natural wood or veneered. The design is classic. From strict straight forms with glass, to smooth ones with panels, rosettes, capitals. The color is dark woody or regular white.

The windows are often white, large, simple rectangular in shape. Less often - arched.

What kind of furniture, appliances and plumbing will fit?

The main element of English design is furniture. It is on her that the accent is put in any room - from the hallway to the bedroom.

Cabinet cabinets, racks, dressers - either built-in, or bulky, free-standing. Work tables - solid closed, reminiscent of curbstones or secretaries. Magazine, dining rooms - on beautiful carved legs. All wood products.

Upholstered furniture is rounded. The armrests of sofas and armchairs are massive, clearly visible. The upholstery can be plain leather (often with capitonné ties) or patterned textile. Traditional chairs - with soft satin seats, beautiful high backs.

Pictured is a chester leather sofa

A classic kitchen set with columns, cornices, balustrades will harmoniously fit into the cooking area. The technique is matched to it - deliberately modern items with chrome details will look ridiculous.

In the photo there is a kitchen with aged appliances

The same applies to plumbing - while recreating the English style, choose retro collections. Such toilets and sinks are more expensive, but 100% meet the task.

What textiles to use?

The most important part of the decor in the English style is the fabrics. The most noticeable element is pillows... They are sure to decorate a soft sofa, armchair, bed.

Do not forget about the furniture itself: bright textiles on the upholstery effectively attract attention.

The comfort is complemented by blackout curtains: fabrics with a pattern can be left as they are, and plain ones can be decorated grabs, tassels, lambrequins.

Living rooms and bedrooms have rugs with strict geometric or abstract floral drawings.

Lighting features

If you read the description of the English style, you probably noticed that it was born even before the active introduction of electricity into houses, so the rooms were initially illuminated with candles and lamps. Hence, in the design of the favorite chandeliers, reminiscent of candelabra.

But central lighting alone is not enough. To create a cozy lamp atmosphere, floor lamps, sconces, table lamps are added to the ceiling lamp - sources of muted cozy light.

What decor to choose for the interior?

The English style in the interiors of apartments can be called decorative, because in addition to textiles, rooms are decorated with many other accessories:

• framed family portraits (intergenerational continuity);
• paintings, posters (main themes - hunting, nature);
• books (the library should be large and visible);
• beautiful expensive dishes (located in old sideboards, buffets in dining rooms or kitchens);
• figurines (on the floor, table, consoles, open shelves).

In general, it is simple remember: in the English style, there is always something lying or standing on the surfaces.Whether it's a dining table, a work table or a secretaire cover, decorate it.

In the photo, wall decoration with images of birds

How does it look in the interior of the rooms?

The embodiment of English design depends on the room with which the work is being carried out: according to the British, the room must first of all correspond to its functionality.

Kitchen design examples

English cuisines - classic. With a large suite, beautiful rich curtains, a practical tiled floor. The dining group is located depending on layouts: you can leave it right there (if the area of ​​the room allows), take it to a separate room (if there is a dining room) or put it on the border of 2 zones in the studio.

Living room design options

The main and largest room of the house should be conducive to relaxation, communication, and receiving guests. Upholstered furniture, a coffee table, book shelves are required here. It is advisable to put a bar, fireplace. The staircase, if there is one in the house, also goes into living room.

Bedroom design

Bedrooms can be small or spacious. The main thing is that they fit a comfortable bed and cabinets. The rest of the elements - a lounge chair, dressing or work table, chest of drawers - are placed whenever possible.

Examples of the design of the nursery

Children as discreet as other rooms. For boys, it is advisable to choose prints in a cage, a strip. Girls will love the floral decoration.

English style in the interior of the hallway and corridor

Since the style originally originated in mansions, the hallways were quite large and looked more like hallways: they had enough space not only for a wardrobe and a mirror, but also armchairs with a console - there were waiting guests here.

The photo shows a spacious square hallway in english style

Despite the fact that the corridors are walk-through rooms, the decor in them will not be superfluous. Hang a few small posters or one large painting.

Bathroom design in the English style

Bathrooms initially also occupied large areas, so traditionally, in addition to plumbing, they had an armchair with a pouf, a dressing table, and a wardrobe. It is advisable to take the bathtubs themselves freestanding, but if there is not enough space, it is permissible to replace it with a built-in bowl or shower.

As for the toilet, models with a high hanging cistern, or floor toilets with rough, straight edges, will fit most harmoniously.

Cabinet in English style

Most often, it is the classrooms that are honored with English design. The characteristic features of England are massive tables, leather work chairs, comfortable sofas, an abundance of wood in decoration and furniture, bookcases and filing cabinets.

The British were able to retain all the charm of their traditional style: perhaps that is why today interiors a la Baker Street can be found not only in London, but all over the world!