The Complete Guide to British Colonial Interiors
British Colonial style is relaxed, genteel and travelled. It pairs dark-stained rattan, timber and bamboo furniture with pure white linens and an abundance of indoor greenery to cool and refresh the space.
At its height from the 16th to 18th centuries, the British Empire was 100 times the size of Great Britain itself, stretching from Africa to India to the Caribbean, known as the "age of discovery".
It was during this time that British Colonial style emerged, combining refined British interiors with exotic pieces and natural materials from African, India, Asia and the Caribbean.
The travel-influenced interiors include leather trunks, dark stained teak, mahogany or bamboo chairs, campaign chests and collapsible writing desks & trunks.
Accents of vibrant tropical, botanical, animal and floral prints in the soft furnishings, artwork and panoramic wallpapers create a fresh and stylish look.
For a step-by-step guide to creating the British Colonial look explore our guide below and shop the style online.
British Colonial Style
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COLOUR PALETTE
Combining refined British interiors with exotic pieces and natural pieces from Africa, India, Asia and the Caribbean.
The colour palette is heavily characterised by light neutrals and shades of white, making it cooling in warm climates.
Dark stained timbers and rattan provide contrast, while blue and green accents are reflected in the soft furnishings and artworks.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
In grander homes you will find high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and tall reaching marble pillars and arches framing generous porches.
Backdrops of chalky white washed walls are contrasted with dark timber panelling and rattan screens.
Ceiling fans made from rattan or timber allow for the cool air flow to circulate throughout the home whilst providing textural interest.
Lighting & Window Treatments
Interwoven throughout the home are a culmination of wall, ceiling and table lights.
These are made from brass or glass and natural materials of bamboo, rattan and woven grass shades.
Timber plantation shutters, rattan blinds and sheer curtains are the predominant window treatments in British colonial homes.
Their lightweight and adjustable designs protect against the tropical climates and allow for temperature control.
Furniture
British Colonial furniture is suited to a travellers lifestyle.
The exotic interiors feature dark stained teak, mahogany or bamboo chairs and tables.
Leather trunks, bar carts, 4-poster and canopy beds, cane bed heads and daybeds are defining features of this style.
The portable nature means that furniture can be moved from room to room or out to Alfresco areas for entertaining.
Collapsible writing desks and folding directors chairs sit alongside campaign furniture and chests.
Texture & Materials
Layering different textures is at the heart of British colonial style.
Dark timber floorboards are seen throughout the home with light weight Turkish or Persian rugs, animal hides or natural fibre seagrass and jute rugs.
Accents of vibrant tropical, animal or floral prints are seen in soft furnishings.
Billowing natural white cottons and muslins drape over the canopy beds and windows.
Lightweight rattan, cane and bamboo furniture and decor allows for movement and resistance to warmer climates.
Artwork Choices
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.
Home Decor
Decorating in the British colonial style offers an opportunity to tell stories from your travels, you family history and your interests by having your favourite mismatched collectables on display.
A nod to the bar cart and high tea, decorative trays are often used to display bar tools and glassware.
Collected elements include leather books, magnifying glasses, coral and shells, ceramic jars, glass votives, picture frames, vintage trophies and botanical framed specimens.
British Colonial Style
Living Energy
This style would not be complete without the addition of tropical plants, palm leaves, fig trees and bunches of natural leaves housed of dining tables, sideboards and consoles.
TRANSFORM YOUR EXISTING LOOK
There are so many ways to re-purpose your furniture and decor & update your existing look with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®.
See how customers are transforming their Furniture, Interiors and Decor to create a British Colonial Style Look with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®.
Chalk Paint | British Colonial Style
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