Textures & Materials
Layering different textures is at the heart of the British Colonial style.
Dark timber floorboards are seen throughout the home, adorned with lightweight Turkish or Persian rugs, animal hides, or natural fibre bamboo floor mats, and seagrass and jute area rugs.
Accents of vibrant tropical, animal, botanical, and floral prints are seen in soft furnishings, wall and window treatments, and decor.
Billowing natural white cotton and muslin drape over the canopy beds, offering a striking contrast against the dark mahogany, teak, and rattan.
Lightweight rattan, cane, and bamboo furniture and decor allow for movement and resistance to warmer climates.
Artwork
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.
Decorative Accessories
Decorating in the British Colonial style offers an opportunity to tell stories from your travels, your family history, and your interests by having your favourite mismatched collectibles on display.
Collected elements include leather books, magnifying glasses, coral and shells, ceramic jars, glass votives, picture frames, vintage trophies, and botanical framed specimens.
A nod to the bar cart and high tea, decorative trays are often used to display bar tools and glassware.
Rattan trays are ideal for displaying your mismatched collectibles, such as magnifying glasses, trinket boxes, animal figurines, calligraphy brushes, and ginger jars.
You can also seek out complementary rattan and leather ice buckets, champagne coolers, cocktail sets with rattan handles, embellished carafes, and water tumblers.
Lastly, other woven elements include wall-mounted baskets, rattan document holders, filing trays, caddies, and desk organisers.
Living Energy
This style would not be complete without the addition of tropical plants, palm leaves, fig trees, and bunches of natural leaves housed on dining tables, sideboards, and consoles.
SHOP THE STORY
Paradiso Trinket Box | Tropical | Antique Colour
$185.00
Add a beautiful British Colonial and Island style to your interior with the Paradiso Trinket Box. It's tropical design features palm trees, with a pineapple top and a green, ivory, and bronze colourway. The antique crackled finish adds an old-world… read more
Magnifying Glass | Brass with Horn Handle
$67.00
This magnifying glass features an brass finish with a rounded horn handle. Make a bold statement in a British Colonial home office, living room or observatory. Materials: Nickel, Brass, Horn & Glass Features: British Colonial Style Dimensions: 28 cm L x 7.5 cm W PLEASE NOTE: Large… read more
Explore the complete styling guide here or watch the styling video below.
