Safari style and British Colonial style, though sharing some historical ties, each boast a distinctive allure in interior design.
Safari style draws inspiration from the African safari experience, incorporating natural elements, earthy tones, and tribal influences to evoke a sense of adventure. In contrast, the British Colonial style reflects the elegance of the colonial period with influences from tropical regions, featuring dark woods, botanical prints, and a touch of opulence.
While both styles celebrate a connection with nature, the Safari style leans towards a rustic and adventurous charm, while the British Colonial style exudes sophistication with a nod to traditional British design.
Learn more as we highlight the differences between each style below:
SHOP THE BRITISH COLONIAL COLLECTION
SHOP THE SAFARI STYLE COLLECTION
Inspiration and Origin
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Safari Style: Draws inspiration from the African safari experience, incorporating elements such as animal prints, natural textures, earthy tones, and tribal influences. It aims to capture the adventurous and rustic feel of a safari.
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British Colonial Style: Reflects the design aesthetics of the British Empire during its colonial period. It incorporates elements from various tropical regions, such as India, the Caribbean, and Africa. The style often features dark wood, botanical prints, wicker, and rattan.
Photo Source: Architectural Digest
Colour Palette:
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Safari Style: Safari style emphasizes warm, earth tones like brown, taupe, beige, tan, warm grey, khaki, and olive green, mirroring the African landscape. Complementary hues include gold and brass accents, rusty reds, burnt orange, and shades of blue.
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British Colonial Style: Light neutrals and various shades of white, create a cooling effect ideal for warmer climates. Dark-stained timbers and rattan introduce a contrasting element, adding depth and character to the overall ambiance. The infusion of blue and green accents along with rich, deep colors like dark browns, greens, and burgundy are also common.
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Architectural Features:
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Safari Style: Safari-style architecture seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings, employing materials such as stone, wood, light canvas, glass, and textured finishes like plaster or stucco. Distinctive features include thatched roofs, stone cladding, hardwood beams, open floor plans, large windows and sliding glass doors. Expansive verandas and outdoor living spaces further enhance the connection with the environment.
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British Colonial Style: British Colonial architecture, born from the expansion of the British Empire, features grand verandas, ornate columns, and cross-ventilation design. It also embraces indoor-outdoor living along with high-pitched roofs, louvered shutters, and symmetrical layouts.
Photo Source: Kuyenda Bushcamp Company
Flooring
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Safari Style: Warm-toned hardwood floors or contemporary concrete set the foundation for the design. Additional choices include sustainable bamboo for an eco-friendly touch and natural stone options like terracotta or slate. To enhance comfort, consider incorporating textures with sisal, jute, or seagrass rugs, along with raffia carpets, oriental area rugs, soft Berber rugs, or chunky knotted woollen rugs.
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British Colonial Style: British Colonial flooring has a preference for rich, dark hardwoods like mahogany or teak. You will also find patterned tiles, and large area rugs, featuring traditional or oriental designs, as well as natural materials such as bamboo, sisal, or seagrass.
Photo Source: Londolozi
Lighting
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Safari Style: Woven ceiling lights, crafted from rattan, bamboo, or sisal, infuse a touch of organic warmth. Black metal and glass pendants contribute a contemporary edge to the design. Decorative chandeliers, adorned with beads, shells, or intricate handcrafted details, add a unique touch of artistry. Floor and table lamps made from wood, glass, leather, chalky ceramic, or brass provide versatile lighting options. Lastly, metal lanterns and an abundance of candlelight complete the safari-inspired ambiance.
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British Colonial Style: British Colonial lighting features fixtures crafted from traditional materials like brass or dark metals. Lantern-style pendants and chandeliers, often intricately detailed, evoke a colonial-inspired aesthetic. Candle-style sconces adorn walls, providing ambient lighting and a historic touch. In tropical contexts, natural elements like rattan, bamboo, and sisal pendants may be incorporated.
Photo Source: The Frank Magazine
Window Treatments
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Safari Style: Popular window treatments include sheer or light-coloured curtains, wooden shutters, traditional Roman or tent roller blinds, and lightweight bamboo or woven shades.
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British Colonial Style: Timber plantation shutters, rattan blinds, and sheer curtains are the predominant window treatments in British colonial homes. Their lightweight and adjustable designs protect against tropical climates and allow for temperature control.
Photo Source: Londolozi Safari
Photo Source: Rhino Sands Safari
Furniture
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Safari Style: Key elements include campaign furniture in mahogany or dark brown wood with brass accents, leather armchairs and sofas, canopy beds, and reclaimed wood tables paired with stump stools. The versatility of portable furniture is evident in folding Director chairs, Safari chairs, trestle tables, and campaign chests or trunks, which are also seen in the British Colonial style. Canvas and wood armchairs, along with a range of rattan furniture like lounge sets, Malawi chairs, side tables, and bar carts are also popular.
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British Colonial Style: Furniture is tailored for a traveler's lifestyle and includes dark-stained teak, mahogany, or bamboo chairs and tables. Other key features include leather trunks, bar carts, 4-poster, and canopy beds, as well as distinctive elements like cane bed heads and daybeds. Collapsible writing desks, folding directors' chairs, and campaign furniture are also popular choices.
Masai Mara Day Bed | Mahogany
$4,239.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Bamileke Table | Black | approx W40cm
$949.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Halcyon Bedside | Ivory
$2,249.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Photo Source: Jack Mitchell Interiors
Photo Source: Singita Safari
Texture & Materials
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Safari Style: The inclusion of linen, cotton, sisal, leather, wood, rattan, stone, and bamboo infuses the space with depth and textural interest. Geometric patterns and animal prints, like leopard, zebra, or giraffe motifs, make a statement in upholstery, table linen, rugs, or throw pillows. The influence of African aesthetics is evident in hand-loomed fabrics and textiles such as Kuba cloth, batik, mud cloth, and wax print fabrics.
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British Colonial Style: Dark woods like mahogany and teak bring sophistication, while woven rattan and wicker add a tropical touch. You will also find leather and other natural fibres like sisal and seagrass. Natural stone, like terracotta or slate, grounds the design.
Photo Source: Jack Mitchell Interiors
Photo Source: Singita Safari
Artwork & Mirrors
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Safari Style: Artwork encompasses contemporary African pieces, tribal masks, and sculptures in wood, metal, clay, or stone. Create a focal point with a gallery wall featuring large-scale black-and-white photography or paintings depicting local animals, framed landscapes, vintage maps, and botanical prints. Mirrors with frames in faux bamboo, rattan, leather, wood, or metal add a reflective touch.
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British Colonial Style: Artwork choices include framed botanical, floral, and animal prints, as well as vintage maps and panoramic wallpapers to create a fresh and stylish look throughout the home. Handwoven and natural artworks of wall-mounted baskets and shell art evoke a feeling of travel and adventure.
Palm Beauty IV Art Print | Bamboo Brown Frame
$835.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Tonga Deep Basket | Made in Africa | XL
$449.00
For Australia-wide deliveries, a freight quote does apply for this piece. This is not calculated online and will be in addition to your purchase. Shipping & Delivery Options: In-Store Collection: This item can be collected from our Moss Vale store. Freight Quote for… read more
Photo Source: Jack Mitchell Interiors
Accessories
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Safari Style: Accessories include safari hats, collections of seashells or coral, vintage books, small drums, rattan, leather accents, old globes, binoculars, and chalky ceramics. For a touch of lustre, incorporate magnifying glasses, hammered metal trays, brass candleholders, elegant barware, vases, and trinket dishes.
SHOP THE SAFARI STYLE COLLECTION
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British Colonial Style: Embracing the charm of bar carts and high tea, decorative trays showcase bar tools and glassware. Other eclectic decor includes leather books, magnifying glasses, coral, shells, ceramic jars, glass votives, picture frames, vintage trophies, and botanical specimens.
SHOP THE BRITISH COLONIAL COLLECTION
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Living Energy
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Safari Style: Living energy includes dried grasses, driftwood, palm leaves, ruscus, fiddle leaf figs, rubber plants, snake plants, bird of paradise, protea flowers, and more.
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British Colonial Style: Living energy includes palms, ferns, the Fiddle Leaf Fig, Rubber Plant, orchids, Bird of Paradise, Sword Fern, and Alocasia.
Photo Source: Pinterest
While these styles have distinct characteristics, it's not uncommon to see them blended in what is sometimes referred to as the "British Colonial Safari" style, combining elements from both aesthetics for a unique and eclectic look.
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