Tudor Interior Design
Be Inspired by Culture and History
Try a Tudor interior design style, to create a warm and comfortable, traditional home. Be inspired by classic, English history and culture. Learn how to get this beautiful style in your own home...Tudor interior design is a wonderfully old fashioned design style – but completely suitable for everyday, modern living too! Tudor styles are originally from England and the UK in the 15th and 16th Centuries. The Tudor period spans from 1485, and King Henry VII, through the famous King Henry VIII, right up to the end of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign in 1603. Genuine Tudor buildings do still exist in England – and many are popular tourist attractions – so take the opportunity for a good look around one, if you ever get the chance. The Tudor style is actually a very popular look to recreate too – both in England, and particularly in the US. So, if you are not lucky enough to live in a genuine Tudor home (it must be very few who have that privilege!), it is still pretty easy to reproduce the Tudor interior design style – this is often called a ‘Mock-Tudor’ style. Generally, the Mock-Tudor style refers to black and white half timbering on the exterior of buildings – but Tudor interior design is much more than just this distinctive half timbering, and is a specific style for the interior of your home too.
Tudor interior design does actually have a lot in common with a Medieval interior design style – but it is, in fact, it’s own distinct style.The Tudor period was after the Medieval period – and saw further developments in crafts, trade, arts and religious, scientific and intellectual thinking. The Tudor period coincided with the Renaissance era, so it would be a good idea to include prints of paintings from the Renaissance Old Masters, as well as other objects showing the new Tudor/Renaissance interest in art and science – astronomy, astrology, travel and trade. I adore Renaissance art - it is just so beautiful. Here is my selection of gorgeous Tudor and Renaissance art, which I think would all look great in a Tudor style room… (Just click on any picture, for a larger image, for more information, or to buy...)  
Portrait of Caterina Cornaro Wife of King James II of CyprusGiclee Print
Titian
Buy at AllPosters.com
Mona Lisa, c.1507Art Print
Leonardo da Vinci
Buy at AllPosters.com
Madonna of the ChairArt Print
Raphael
Buy at AllPosters.com
Look for more Tudor and Renaissance art...
Walls and Color
- Wood panelling is an ideal way of getting an authentic Tudor interior design style. Dark wood (especially oak) is your best choice, with the panelling in a large scale, square or rectangular design.
- But you could try painting your wood panelling in white instead, if you feel that dark wood would be too much for a dark or small room.
- For wall colors, choose deep, rich colors - especially classic, ruby red, dark, forest green and a rich, amber-gold.
- Patterned wallpaper in these colors, with a heraldic pattern, fleur-de-lys, or tapestry-style floral and foliage patterns, would be a great look.
- If you don’t have wood panelling, try adding a simple dado rail to add a little old-fashioned, decorative interest to your Tudor-style home.
- You could even create your own faux wood-panelling on your walls – don’t worry … it’s not some complicated, decorative paint technique! – just add wooden battens to a plain, painted wall. Try to create squares of around 2ft by 2ft, to get the right look.
- If you like, try adding decorative, carved mouldings, which would have been a typical feature of a Tudor interior design style.
- The moulding you want to look out for, is a Tudor Rose. This was the symbol of the English Royal House of Tudor – so, understandably, was very popular in this period.
Flooring- Wall-to-wall, fitted carpets did not exist in Tudor times. Go for a hard flooring – stone is ideal for an authentic, castle-style look – but hard wood flooring is great too. And much warmer, softer and easier to live with!
- Add plenty of gorgeous, antique and traditional style rugs, for warmth and softness on the floor.
- I love these gorgeous, quality antique rugs. I think they will be a fantastic investment, which you will be proud of for years. They will look really stunning in a Tudor room, and give the perfect warm, cosy feel underfoot - Antique Persian rugs can date back hundreds of years. Now you can own one for less at Rugman.com
Windows - If your budget, and the scope of your interior design plans, allow it, choose leaded glass for your windows. Choose small, square or diamond shaped panes.
- You may be able to recreate the look of leaded glass more inexpensively, with specially designed, sticky-back vinyls, or lead-style stripping, to recreate your own lead panes. This can be quite difficult to use though – as it is quite hard to stick on in a straight line. So be careful your lead panes aren’t going too wavy…!
- Big, thick, floor-length curtains are essential for an authentic Tudor interior design style. Choose heavy-weight fabrics – especially brocades, velvets and tapestry fabrics. Go for full, heavy styles. There was no central heating in the Tudor period, so the main object for curtains was to be thick and heavy, to keep the room cosy and warm.
Furniture and Accessories- Solid, old-fashioned furniture is just right for Tudor style. Choose a very dark wood, with a decorative carved style. Furniture in the Tudor period was more ornate and decorative than the very simple Medieval styles.
- Again, look out for that typical Tudor Rose.
- Essential Tudor-style furniture pieces are four-poster beds (don’t forget the heavy-weight drapes!), dressers, big, heavy chests and sturdy dining tables and chairs.
- Sofas, as such, wouldn’t have existed in Tudor times – but are essential for comfortable modern living! Rather than a low-backed, modern style, choose a more old-fashioned, high-backed style, in a dark, heavy fabric.
- Fireplaces would have been the focal point for a Tudor room – with a constantly lit, genuine, open, log fire. Choose a stone, brick or heavy timber fireplace, and emphasise the fireplace within your room, with boxes of logs, and fireside sets of pokers and tongs.
- Get really cosy, by hanging tapestries and other fabric wall-hangings on the walls.
- Look out for accessories in pewter or wrought iron for a typical Tudor interior design style – candlesticks, platters, bowls and tankards.
- Look out for wrought iron chandeliers and wall-sconces too – for a really authentic Tudor look.
- This is a great online store for all your historical accessories - Historical & Antique Replicas for the Home & Garden at Design Toscano.
The Tudor interior design style is very popular, and will give you a very classic, historical style, and a real sense of culture. The style is very warming and cosy, with plenty of textiles, rugs and wall-hangings.In spite of the historical sense of grandeur, this is actually a very relaxing and comfortable look – so why not give it a try in your own home… If you are ready to start your Tudor design right now, take a look at these interior design tips, and my checklist, which will guide you effortlessly through the whole interior design process. You might also be interested in this Medieval interior design page. Take a look at more historical, or 19th Century interior design styles. Browse for more interior design themes and styles for inspiration.
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