Colonial Decorating

Be inspired by the very origins of modern America in your interior design ideas.

Discover how colonial style can make your house into a relaxing home...

We will show you how to get the look...

This look is about the American colonial style

Understanding Colonial Decorating

It is also very similar to the 'New England' style of decorating.

The first settlers came from England, so naturally they were very influenced by the styles of design and architecture which were around in England itself at that time.

This was a Georgian interior design style.

For the most part, though, Colonial decorating is not exactly the same as the English Georgian style.

The lifestyle of the first settlers was very different from the established lifestyles and towns of England.

The first settlers had to build and create everything themselves, by hand...

...so the style they used was simple and straight-forward...

...and they made use of local building materials and techniques – which they used to create English-style designs...

But the period this decorating style covers lasted for around 300 years – so as time went on, and for richer people, the style became more ornate and lavish.

Basics to Get the Look

In general, Colonial interior design is a simple and practical style.

It is a simple, rustic look – and very uncluttered…

This makes it very easy to live with, and gives it a wonderfully nostalgic feel...

...bringing old fashioned values of home, family and endeavour into your interior design style.

Walls and Color

• A dado rail (or chair rail) was a very common feature of colonial homes, so try to include one in your decorating scheme.
• Simple timber panelling was also used.









• Walls were painted in a simple, flat paint – commonly whitewashed - giving a very light and airy feel.
• Colors were usually reserved for woodwork, such as dado rails, skirtings, doors etc.
• The colors to choose for your woodwork, or if you fancy warming up your home a little by using colors in your colonial decorating scheme, are warm, natural, earthy tones.

  Choose soft, muted tones (to reflect the use of natural pigment in the paints).

• Ideal colors are creams, taupes, browns, greens, soft blues, yellows and a reddish-brown.
• Stencils were quite often used, to take the place of borders on the walls.
• Wealthier homes used wallpapers in the Georgian interior design style.

Flooring

• Pine flooring was pretty much standard – add plenty of hand-woven and rag rugs, to complete the look.

Windows

• Window treatments were very simple too – shutters are ideal, or plain, tab-top or panel curtains, to provide warmth and privacy.
• For wealthier settlers, curtains were styled in a Georgian interior design style. - thicker, more opulent, with swags and tails.

Furniture

• Colonial style furniture was very simple and rustic in design. It was often made by the settlers themselves, in a simple, pegged style, with solid, rectangular boards.
• Wood was plentiful, so it was the material of choice – usually pine, birch, maple or walnut, or cherry.
• Where possible, settlers did bring their own furniture with them – so antiques were quite common.

  Antiques are a very good place to start for your own colonial style scheme, to get a really authentic look.

Lighting

• Choose simple, rustic lighting for an effective colonial decorating style.

  Go for wooden, or iron light-holders… Candles would have been used in colonial times.

• Wall sconces are a great way of getting that old-fashioned colonial decorating look.
• Chandeliers would have been acquired by wealthier settlers, and more commonly fitted, as time went on.

Accessories

Get the Look Bargains

Get your colonial scheme off to a flying start by picking up some cool, colonial-style bargains on eBay today...

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Are you ready to start your colonial decorating scheme now?

Before you do, take a look at my checklist of interior design tips to make sure you get a really professional touch to your interior design.

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