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This method of choosing keeps the color in the same family of shades but mutes the depth. Colonial-era decor pieces often replicated natural elements and complexions, so endeavor to maintain simplicity and prevent oversaturating the environment with deep, dark shades. These types of dwellings often have square or rectangular windows, low ceilings, and a simple layout. Separate rooms are common in the interior as opposed to the open layouts we see in modern houses. However, there are plenty of ways to incorporate colonial-style decor into any past, present, or future home. One could consider the style of furniture, type of flooring, color palette, and scaled-down aesthetic as starting points to achieving the ultimate colonial-style decor in your home.
The Ultimate Guide To American Colonial Decor
In this article, we will take you on a journey through the captivating world of colonial interior design. Rooted in history and characterized by its timeless elegance, colonial design is a style that continues to inspire and enchant homeowners and designers alike. From the rich tapestries to the ornate furniture, every element in a colonial-inspired interior tells a story of the past, creating a space that exudes charm and sophistication.
Colonial-Inspired Furniture: Timeless Elegance Outdoors
If you love it, frame it, as this is what will add interest to your space and help convey your personality. These pieces are typically thrifted and given a fresh coat of paint or sanded down for an authentic vintage appearance. American Colonial homes often evoke feelings of comfort, making the next decorative piece a must-have for your humble abode. "Quilts bring warmth, depth, and texture into any room," quilter and designer Suzy Williams told Concord Monitor. A folded quilt over an arm of a chair or at the end of the bed are classic ways to decorate your home with soft elements.
Walls
What was once a much-needed light source is now an excellent vintage decor element to add to your space. If hardwired wall sconces are not an option, consider a renter friendly solution and opt for a battery operated or remote controlled light source. Most colonial homes did not have the technological advances and luxuries most people have today, making household fans a necessity to keep a room cool. People typically used ceiling fans to circulate air in a space, but they also doubled as decoration, as per SFGate. In today's homes, consider adding a ceiling fan to your living room or bedroom, but try not to gloss over the style possibilities.
Before finding the right color or material for the fan, measure what size will work best in your given area. To introduce a bit of colonial-inspired furniture in your home, try to find simpler furniture pieces commonly made from pine or birch woods. For a more ornate look, consider items crafted out of higher quality material such as walnut, oak, maple, or cherry wood. Adding a well-crafted, thrifted, or new sofa table, end table, coffee table, chair, bench, stool, or sideboard is a fanciful way to invoke colonial charm in your home. Do your best to source items that emphasize craftsmanship and focus on simplicity.
Lush accents at 'House on Village Drive' Home of the Week - Courier Journal
Lush accents at 'House on Village Drive' Home of the Week.
Posted: Thu, 08 Sep 2016 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Tile and Spanish Colonial Revival Style
Whether duplicated or one-of-a-kind, hand-woven rugs are a great way to add softness underfoot in the living room, dining room, or bedroom. Consider introducing a bit of history into your home by decorating with a stunning handcrafted area rug. According to RugKnots, these floor decorations are available in several styles, including flatweave, hand-tufted, or hand-knotted. Many colonial homes were built with items sourced locally from the environment, making solid wood beams a common trend in colonial home building.
Tactile Fabrics: Layering for Texture
The enduring appeal of colonial architecture and the versatility of modern design elements create an interior that is both classic and fresh. If you prefer a more contemporary and streamlined look, consider incorporating sleek blinds into your modern colonial interior design. Choose blinds in neutral colors or natural materials such as bamboo or wood.
Colonial House Colors
In your modern colonial interior design, embrace these patterns with a contemporary twist. Opt for wallpapers, upholstery, or curtains featuring toile or damask motifs in unexpected color combinations or oversized scales. This modern interpretation breathes new life into these traditional patterns.
What to look for in a Colonial style home
The first American Colonial-style homes developed during a period of British colonial rule. The homes were timber-framed wood houses with simple windows, decorative shutters, and symmetrical forms anchored by a central door and a chimney or two. Then these "original American Colonials" stopped being built around the American Revolution in 1765–1783, when British architecture fell out of fashion as the new country asserted its independence. However, early Colonial style was very simple, straightforward, and rustic. Later furniture styles included cabriole chairs, claw-foot tables, and highboys. Other popular materials used during the period were rattan, wicker, reed, sisal, jute, and wool woven textures, including braided rugs on the floors.
Today's Colonial houses might still have this design element, although it's more often just for show. Create a cozy seating area in your bedroom by incorporating an upholstered armchair or a chaise lounge. Place a small side table next to it to hold books, a reading lamp, or a cup of tea. This seating area provides a quiet space for relaxation and adds a touch of elegance to your bedroom. Choose artwork that reflects the colonial period to create a connection with the past. Look for landscapes, portraits, or still-life paintings that capture the essence of the colonial era.
Decorative objects are an excellent way to showcase your colonial heritage in a modern context. Look for antique vases, brass candlesticks, or vintage ceramics that evoke the charm of the past. Arrange these objects on shelves, mantels, or coffee tables to add a touch of nostalgia and personality to your space. Opt for classic, traditional artwork, such as oil paintings, landscapes, or portraits, to complement the overall aesthetic. You can also incorporate antique maps, botanical prints, or vintage photographs for added visual interest. Mixing Colonial design with other styles, such as modern or farmhouse, can create a unique and personalized look.
Though you may not have the same need in the home, furniture pieces like these genuinely reflect the times. Robust globes, antique maps, fine China, and leather trunks are only a few elements you can acquire to give personality to your Colonial-style home. Familiar patterns of the period included scenic toile, colorful chintz, and ornate damask. In classic Colonial fashion, these fit perfectly above a dado rail circling the room. Eclectic fabrics are essential to any Colonial interior, and every room offers a chance to integrate them.
'Vintage textiles and rugs, pottery, or a carved piece of furniture or bench is a great way to introduce Spanish Colonial style,' says Steven. In this living room, red curtains add a softness to the space, while a jute rug adds warmth and comfort. While a lot of wooden furniture has been introduced to the scheme, a completely upholstered sofa introduces a cozier feel to the room.
For wall treatments, consider using wallpaper with classic patterns, such as damask or toile, to add texture and visual interest. Alternatively, you can opt for painted walls in soft, muted tones to create a calm and inviting atmosphere. Step into the past as we delve into the key elements that define colonial interior design, exploring its origins and influences.
While maybe less practical in the digital era, this item is just as impressive today as it ever was. This treasured piece can elevate almost any room in the house, from the kitchen to the entryway. Given this decorative timepiece's substantial weight, it's common for a grandfather clock to accent a wall on the first level. Using whatever skills they had, colonial people often crafted primitive home decor items that have thrived for years in homes over the centuries. To achieve the ultimate colonial aesthetic in your home, try incorporating nature-influenced art into the space.
Think about incorporating natural materials such as linen, jute, or rattan. You can also add vintage or antique rugs or throws with intricate patterns to contrast against modern furnishings. Choosing textiles with warm, earthy tones can give your space a cozy, comfortable feel that is characteristic of the modern colonial style. If done tastefully, it’s possible to achieve a beautiful balance between the old and the new with your choice of textiles. Modern colonial interior design is a style that creates a unique and sophisticated look.
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