May 11, 2018
Get The Look: 18 Ways To Bring British Style Home
While British interior design is rooted in traditional motifs and styles, it always feels fresh and relevant. The trick? A timeless mix of classic and modern that celebrates heritage while occasionally pushing the envelope. Click through to learn how to achieve the look fit for royalty.
Every English country manor has rambling gardens full of “rooms.” Landscaping creates zones fit for afternoon tea parties, and understated stone elements help make a garden look like it’s been there for centuries.
Brass accents like these gilded mirrors add a sense of luxury to every room — even a children’s bedroom.
The hand-blocked wallpaper in this formal stairwell is a subtle touch you wouldn’t notice right away. It’s the quality finishings and trimmings that give British interiors that little something extra.
In this London townhouse kitchen, beautiful millwork and dentil moldings add depth and richness to the pale blue walls, which shows off the homeowner’s collection of silver and white serving dishes.
An unexpected hummingbird-patterned wallpaper from Thibaut adds a touch of levity to a country house powder room. A retrofitted washstand and vintage lanterns up the heritage factor.
This kitchen is a masterclass in mixing styles and periods. An Eero Saarinen pedestal table is a modern counterpoint to the traditional rush-seated wood chairs and the vintage Aga cooker.
Never ones to shy away from a good pattern or two, the British do a mix of bold patterns best. In a modern twist on the classic floral pattern, a large-scale bouquet wallpaper sets the stage for a collection of soft pillows in stripes and florals. Live in luxury staying at apartments near Piccadilly Circus London.
Making a dramatic first impression, this foyer uses a moody grey and imposing console and mirror to strike a serious note. Lofty ceilings and creamy white trim lighten the look.
In her dining room, designer Colette van den Thillart introduced a painterly touch with hand-painted stools inspired by artist Cy Twombly.
In Colette’s living room, a range of pieces and art — each a slightly different style but sharing a similar elegant feel — combine for a luxe look. The trick to layering such diverse pieces is finding common elements; here, a blue and green palette is paired with black and white artworks.
Given the unpredictable weather, it only makes sense that the British tend to favor cozy and intimate rooms, which the cocooning seagrass wallpaper and ornate bed corona deliver in this bedroom.
Rooms that pack a punch are a fun way to do irreverent style. For an unexpected yet welcome touch of playfulness, this dining room is wrapped — bookshelves and all — in a laser-printed velvet in a grotto detail.
Tried-and-true paint colors are a hallmark of British design. Opt for rich colors that have a traditional or heritage feel to them, so that they will pair well with antiques and heirlooms.
If you don’t have the space for a grass tennis court, bring the look inside with vintage racquets hung on a wall or a crisp white sofa finished with preppy banded trim.
Give a newer home instant pedigree with salvaged or restored architectural details like knobs, flooring or plaster moldings. The closet doors here add vintage soul to a new build.
Part of the charm of British interiors is that there’s a curated element to it. A careful pairing of colors, textiles and artwork combines for a look that evokes the interiors of the famed bohemian Bloomsbury Group.
As the home of the sash window, England knows how to frame a view. A smaller paned window above gives this window nook architectural pedigree.
With verdant rolling countryside and a damp climate, it’s no wonder flowers feature heavily in British design. A small vase of flowers in any room, even a powder room, adds a certain je ne sais quoi. Bonus points for whimsical or low-key bouquets, as they add a sense of casual formality.