English style in the interior: the rules for creating classic combinations in design (100 photos). Interior design in the English style - the basics and rules of design

The English style is a deep blending of the visual characteristics of the Georgian and Victorian eras, with an added touch of coloniality, which appeared due to the positioning of Great Britain of those times as a colonial empire. The spread of the interests of this country to the far corners of Asia and the East contributed to the appearance of exquisite gizmos from India and China among the British. They reliably served as a confirmation of the wealth, as well as the high social status of their owners. To create an English style in the interior of an apartment, it is necessary to take good quality, respectability, and solidity as starting points. If Conan Doyle, Dickens, Wilde, Chesterton and Agatha Christie are dear to you, then cool restraint, steadfast adherence to traditions is the best option to decorate your home.

Main elements

The main idea, the central axis around which the interior items are strung together, creating the English style in the aggregate, is symmetry. The arrangement of windows, shelves, armchairs, sofas, floor lamps is symmetrical; it is traditional to use duplicate items and accessories in pairs.

Elements emphasizing the belonging of the interior to the chosen style direction: square carpets, numerous portraits, a fireplace, collections behind glass, solid furniture, an armchair with ears, quilted sofas, chairs upholstered in floral print, heavy curtains, twin ceiling lamps, many pillows, porcelain trinkets, clock and bronze.

The walls, as in the time of Sherlock Holmes, are up to half lined with oak panels or slabs trimmed with mahogany veneer. The upper part is pasted over with wallpaper or painted. Preferred colors for common rooms: maroon, silver green (sage leaf color), deep gray, dark blue. The wallpaper is characterized by an acanthus or damask ornament, or voluminous bouquets tied with gold ribbons. Private rooms are decorated with wallpaper in light colors with a small floral pattern.

A special place in the British interior is occupied by draperies - voluminous, multi-folded, tied with tassels or tie-backs at a height of about a meter, located in waves on the floor.

Heavy curtains are sewn in two layers, on a dense lining. This technique is used so that the curtains do not fade from the sun, and their folds keep their shape well.

Traditionally, one-colored fabrics, a cage, a strip, a flower are used. The windows of the living room, study, dining room are decorated with white muslin curtains and curtains made of expensive materials: velvet, satin, brocade. For the summer period, thick curtains are recommended to be replaced with lighter ones made of cotton fabrics.

English house walk

As the theater begins with a hanger, so the English style begins literally from the front door. The aroma of old England, the first percussive accent of the English style, is instantly felt when you are just approaching it: on the paneled door, in addition to the usual door handle flaunts a door knocker. It is not necessary that this item be made like a real hammer. By design, this is a bracket with a protruding part that strikes a metal plate. Now, like two hundred years ago, it is made in the form of a ring, a lion's head, a mythical animal, and many others. interesting options, for example, the human palm. This attribute entrance group immediately emphasizes the belonging of your interior to the English style. Entrance door the Victorian era was painted with dark green, cinnabar red or black paint, emphasizing the texture of the tree. Now designers continue to use this technique.

The apartment, the interior of which has absorbed the spirit of British traditions, implies the presence a large number rooms. Each of them plays its own role, creating scenery for a certain time period of human life: a living room, an office, a bedroom, a kitchen, a dining room, a nursery (or even a separate study room). What are distinctive features space according to its purpose?

The ideal living room corresponding to this style direction is a room with high ceiling and bay window. Large, elongated windows are required, starting almost from the floor. The dominant feature of the living room, the symbol of the house and its main decoration is open fireplace, with a black cast-iron firebox placed inside. The cladding of the fireplace is made of marble, carved wood or tiles. Cutting off the intense heat, a decorative screen is placed in front, and above the fireplace it takes its place large mirror, framed by a front frame, or a picture.

Strictly opposite the fireplace there is a voluminous furniture group: a sofa, armchairs and banquettes, surrounded by small sofa tables with paired floor lamps or vases.

On both sides of the fireplace there are mirror sideboards, rounded glass showcases or slides, inside them, as well as on the mantelpiece, collections of porcelain (Chinese, English), watches, and bronze are exhibited. Watch mechanisms under glass caps, graceful figurines or the finest items from the great-grandmother's service - these family values ​​\u200b\u200bare right here.

The walls of the living room are decorated with paintings in heavy gilded frames, ceremonial family portraits and photographs. A feature is a very dense hanging, i.e. the distance between the pictures is chosen as the minimum allowable.

The main content of the traditional English cabinet interior is books. They are located on open shelves up to the ceiling, completed with fillets, cornices, possibly pilasters. Engravings are placed on the walls, and furniture, in addition to a desk or bureau, is supposed to be a sofa group, necessarily surrounded by small tables. The severity of lines, muted colors should help create a working mood.

The heart of the bedroom is a high bed, and its distinguishing features are a voluminous headboard, a valance decorated with frills and scallops, a canopy on posts (an optional option), a huge number of pillows. An ottoman is installed at the foot of the bed. Symmetrical beds have bedside tables, night lamps, on the contrary - dressing table with an armchair or pouffe. The walls of the bedroom are decorated with prints, lithographs, photographs in thin frames. Curtains are made of cotton or linen fabrics that duplicate the pattern of wallpaper or upholstery used for upholstered furniture.

The most important symbols of British style in the kitchen are a giant stove, metal dishes, copper pots hung on the walls, ceramic pots and china displayed on open shelves, a tiled floor. dark shades, faience deep rectangular sink.

Interior of a small apartment

If your love for "five o clock" is prohibitive, then play modern style a classic English house in a small apartment is quite possible, but before starting work, you should ask yourself the question: “Is it convenient to live, feeling like a sightseer (or even an exhibit) of a historical museum, especially if it is not located at the source of the Thames, but inside an ordinary modern building?”

The best and more elegant solution would be to think over a simple classic English interior, but make some reference to England, add a light aroma of foggy Albion, using objects that have an undeniable belonging to the British style as accents.

When developing English design to place a small volume, it is important to maintain the main trends: symmetry and pairing, but the main thing is not to clutter up the space. Take only the essentials: sofa, square rug, fireplace (false fireplace), sofa tables. Instead of a traditional desk with drawers, you can use a desk with a hinged or roll-top lid. Such a piece of furniture is very functional and takes much less space. Floral curtains, chintz upholstery, a quilted collection of Chesterfield furniture, Victorian paints in the wallpaper, a gentleman's chair, British flag print on the pillows, as a designer's joke - these elements will give your home the required color without overloading it with the massiveness of old England.

The basis of English interior design is not only restraint and orderliness, but also reliability and continuity. Many houses with their contents are passed down from generation to generation. Antiques are especially highly valued. For them to keep long time original appearance, people choose products from high-quality and durable materials. If some furniture breaks, then its owner will most likely repair and restore it, but will not throw it away.

British design harmoniously combines rigor and high cost. There is no pomposity and golden sheen of baroque in it, but there are many features that testify to the well-being of the owners.

History of occurrence

The English style in interiors began to take shape in the 18-19th century. Restrained British were not particularly carried away by baroque and rococo, preferring restraint and classics.

The development of the genre was actively promoted by the Romanesque and Gothic style. They are still found today in the castles of the Middle Ages. Roman and Greek styles also contributed to the development of the direction.

The early history of the formation of the English interior can be divided into two main stages - Georgian style during the reign of King George (1714 - 1830) and Victorian (1838 - 1901).

The second period is associated with the reign of Queen Victoria. He combined the classics colonial style and minor baroque elements. After a while, the colonial style was formed as a separate trend against the backdrop of important geographical discoveries for the country.

All directions were formed during the rapid development of the state. Industry developed, people gravitated towards prestige and expensive surroundings. Overseas interior items were popular, especially from rare and expensive materials.

Years and centuries passed, fashion changed, and the interior of the English house did not undergo drastic changes. This trend is due to the loyalty of the British to traditions. Therefore, today you can see such dwellings in a little-modified form.

Style characteristic

The main features of English design in the interior:

• Zoning of premises. The dwelling is divided not only into different rooms. Most rooms are also zoned.
• The rooms may be small, and at the same time the building may have several floors.
• Symmetry is maintained. Doors, windows, rooms are symmetrical.
• The windows are large with frames made of wood, most often light in color. The British deliberately do not change the old wooden windows on new plastic ones to stay true to tradition and not spoil appearance building architecture. And this is despite the fact that many old-style windows let in cold air.
• Main Decoration Materials English classics in the interior - natural wood, stone, leather, plaster, wallpaper with stripes or floral prints.
• Calm colors without sharp contrasts - pastel colors, brown and its shades, white, green, blue, light red, purple, terracotta. A golden color is also used, but most often it does not prevail.
• A mandatory attribute of the living room is a fireplace. On top of it is a shelf with decor and framed photographs (family values ​​are important).
• Lighting and central, and additional (floor lamps, candelabra, lamps). The light is evenly scattered.
• The furniture is predominantly classical. It may also include elements of other European styles - carved decor, Gothic motifs, twisted legs, bronze or brass inserts. Upholstery made of fabric, most often with a small pattern, or leather.
• Mostly natural textiles. Monophonic fabrics are used and striped, plaid, with a floral pattern, most often small.
• Decor is used - paintings, photographs in frames, vases, mirrors in antique frames, figurines.
• There is no carelessness and randomness in the atmosphere. The arrangement of furniture and decor is carefully thought out.

Is the style popular now, and who will it suit?

The English interior in the apartment does not lose its popularity for a long time. It's not just that many of its adherents like to keep traditions. From the very first minutes, it charms with coziness, impeccable taste and comfort. In such an environment, you want to organize tea parties, spend time by the fireplace with loved ones, read an exciting English detective story, watch the weather change outside the large window.

The English style in the interior of the apartment will distract from the hustle and bustle, which is unusual for the British.

All this together makes the direction relevant, as the atmosphere evokes emotions that are sometimes lacking in the modern rhythm of life.

The genre is suitable for those who like the classic setting, symmetry and orderliness of objects. It will also appeal to connoisseurs of high-quality, comfortable and expensive furniture, which is not replete with pretentiousness.
For collectors, the direction is suitable, as the situation may include the placement of collections of antiques and other items.

It is advisable to equip it with owners small apartments with small rooms. The area of ​​​​the premises of the British is most often small. This is due to the desire to heat homes faster and better during the cold period.

Options for arranging rooms in the English style

Consider the options for arranging a classic English interior.

Living room

• Decorate the walls with pastel-colored wallpaper (the tone is closer to sandy), you can with an inexpressive pattern.
• Plaster the ceiling with white plaster.
• Lay parquet in the color of natural wood on the floor.
  Complement the floor with natural carpet beige colour with small vegetal pattern.
• Make a fireplace by overlaying it with natural stone close in color to the wallpaper.
  Arrange a sofa area near the fireplace.
• Upholstered furniture can be selected in cream color with a sand-colored floral pattern.
• Put a wooden coffee table, you can with a glass top.
• Place a floor lamp nearby.

If the area allows, complement the interior of the living room in the English style with a library area - high bookshelves made of wood, a cozy and soft sofa, as well as a coffee table.

Bedroom

• The wallpaper in the English interior of the bedroom can resemble Provence - on a light beige background, an ornament in the form of flowers with green stems and light red buds.
• On the floor - light parquet or laminate laid in longitudinal fragments rectangular shape;
  it has a cream carpet of the same color and design as the wallpaper.
• Double bed with wooden carved base.
• Lay a white bedspread on it and complement it with plain purple decorative pillows.
• Hang olive curtains on the windows.
• On the sides of the bed, put wooden cabinets, best in retro style, and on them - low lamps with beige lampshades.

As a result, you will get not only an English-style bedroom interior, but also a harmony of colors that is pleasing to the eye, conducive to relaxation and sleep.

The interior in the English style is common name various trends in design and architecture that have developed in the UK from the Middle Ages to the present. The British style can be attracted by elegant restraint, classic luxury, high quality materials, the presence of many decorative elements in the absence of flashy accents. In its final form, it is an example of elegance and good taste. But to recreate it in its entirety, a significant investment is required.

The color palette usually consists of three or four colors that make the room cozy and inviting. Colors can be either bright or muted. Modern English style in the interior is distinguished by many romantic patterns and floral prints. Also, the British are fans of muted red. It can be found on carpets and rugs in a large cage. White cabinets are quite popular.

Fabric selection

There is an abundance of different fabrics. They look absolutely harmonious. soft sofas upholstered in plush or leather, cushions made of corrugated fabric and lace window curtains. Floral or printed polka dot chintz and damask are the most popular materials. The interesting thing is that all of them can be combined in one room, where large prints are usually combined with small ones.

Furniture

The classic English style in the interior is represented by Victorian furniture. The predominant material is wood of a light or dark tone. It can be painted, stenciled and have an antique look. Tables, chests of drawers and bookshelves are usually made from oak, mahogany or pine. Accents such as handles on drawers can be made from brass. Sofas and chairs are usually low-slung and upholstered in soft tapestry. Soften the hard look wooden chairs and seat cushions.

Decor

The English colonial style in interior design is represented by massive hangers, built-in bookshelves and china cabinets located throughout the house. They flaunt beautiful objects and family heirlooms. For example, tea sets, straw baskets or photographs in luxurious gilded frames.

Lighting

Rather, soft, diffused lighting is assumed, rather than the presence of one main light source in the form of a lamp on the ceiling. Therefore, you should make a choice in favor of sconces, table lamps and floor lamps, which give a soft warm light. You can complement the interior of the hall with candles in elegant gilded candlesticks.

The decor in the English style in the spirit of colonial Britain emphasizes the functionality of furniture and objects that have an antique but solid look. The furniture is decorated with fittings: pilasters, beautiful handles and keyhole guards.

In addition, complement the design of the rooms:

• Carpet with spectacular pattern;
• Gilded decorative elements;
• English style tiles;
• Wallpaper, lamps and windows in the English style;
• Pillows on window sills;
• Floor with a rich pattern;
• Furniture with curved legs.

This direction is an interweaving of centuries-old traditions of Great Britain with modern technologies. It will appeal to lovers of home libraries, the comfort of a fireplace, as well as porcelain collectors.

Decorating Tips

1. Used furniture can be painted and then lightly sanded to give it an antique look.
2. Sofa and chair covers are an easy way to recreate the spirit of this region's homes without buying new furniture.
3. Small family pictures can be enlarged and hung on the wall. Old faded photographs can be restored by contacting a photo studio.

English style furniture and necessary interior items

To successfully connect modern interior and the design of the apartment in the English style, it is necessary to supplement the space with the following items:

Fireplace

It is difficult to imagine a true British home without the comfort of a burning fireplace. In the original it should be real fireplace, but it can be replaced with a modern electric one. You can convey the spirit of antiquity with the help of natural stone cladding of the portal or brickwork, as well as arrange the furniture so that it faces the fireplace. The atmosphere will be given by soft wool rugs around it.

Sofa Chesterfield

The interior of the apartment in the English style necessarily includes this piece of furniture. Coming to us from the 18th century, it looks modern, luxurious and fashionable. The sofa can be made in various interpretations: from dark chocolate leather to soft plush upholstery in various color scheme. Often it is this sofa that becomes the most bright accent living room.

Library

Every English home has a place for a collection of books. It could be like separate room, and a wooden rack in the entire wall. It is recommended to recreate the English style in the interior of an apartment in the library with the help of a couple soft chairs, low table and floor lamp.

English style staircase

The staircase made in the aristocratic spirit will become a real decoration of the house. It can be made contrasting by painting the railings and the space between the steps in light shade and leaving the wood-colored steps themselves.

Fireplace chairs

A special piece of furniture is a fireplace armchair upholstered in velvet or genuine leather. An English-style room, as you know, breathes comfort and luxury. Therefore, all furniture should have soft upholstery (can be quilted) and comfortable armrests made of high quality dense fabric.

English-style kitchen - modernity in an old-fashioned wrapper

The kitchen in this direction is characterized by a peaceful, comfortable and slightly “old-fashioned” feeling. traditional cuisines sometimes they include a cozy chair in the English style. A sofa or comfortable chairs provide a place to sit and socialize in a homely environment. Ceiling beams, arched doorways and kitchen islands are typical kitchen features in this interior.

Colour

The interior of the kitchen in classic English style has the following color schemes: antique white, light gray, light yellow, soft cream and other pastel shades. Details such as curtains, valances, tea towels, seat cushions and tablecloths provide excellent opportunities for spreading bright color accents.

materials

The most important thing to rely on when choosing a material for a kitchen is reliability. Therefore, in order to create a design that would serve long years It is important to choose high quality materials. Mostly natural stone, wood and marble are used, furniture and kitchen sets from which are decorated with expensive gilded fittings and carvings.

Cabinets and kitchen islands

To bring the desired “antique” effect to the dining room in the English style, you can use glazed kitchen cabinets painted white. The built-in sideboard has two functions: flaunts beautiful kitchen items and also serves as storage space. Glass cabinet doors and open shelves filled with woven baskets, old teapots, Chinese dishes and other antiques add to the special charm and comfort.

English style crockery and accessories

In the kitchen, hang pictures that capture the British spirit. These may be images of a picturesque countryside, farm animals or hunting scenes. A great addition would be copper pots, old jugs, collections of teapots, cups and saucers, or an antique kitchenware located on open shelves and cabinets.

Kitchen design may include kitchen island, surrounded by chairs with vertical baffle backs and woven seats. And for working surface Granite is the best.

Bedroom in the English style: an island of calm and comfort in the house

To convey the English style in the interior design of the bedroom, you can not do without a truly royal bed. The ideal option will become luxury bed with a high, canopied headboard and beautiful carvings, made of natural dark wood. The atmosphere in the bedroom will also be created by the presence of a variety of fabrics: curtains with drapes, bedspreads with embroidered small flowers, checkered throws and several pillows of different sizes.

Living room in the English style - the hearth and soul of the house

The living room in this design is ideal for a comfortable stay. Due to the climatic features of the region, feature such a dwelling is the presence of "insulating" parts. First of all, a fireplace, as well as deep armchairs and sofas with high backs and “ears” that protect the person sitting from drafts.

The English style in the interior of the living room is represented by centrally located dining table and sofa. It should be noted that an important element is the bookshelves, which sometimes occupy the entire height and width of the wall. The decor uses an abundance of accessories: pillows, openwork napkins, porcelain items. As for colors, the British prefer cream, honey, dark red and beige tones.

What materials prevail in the living room with a fireplace? Natural wood flooring dark colors or laminate in a large cage, which will visually expand the room. The walls are treated with varnished wall panels, wallpaper, and fabric. On the floor you can put a light carpet with floral ornaments.

English style bathroom

To implement the design idea, it is desirable to have a spacious bathroom. According to the design requirements, the pieces of furniture should be arranged so that you can easily move between them, which is difficult to achieve if the bathroom is ultra small.

Traditionally, the interior of the bathroom is decorated with a contrasting black and white ceramic tiles. But this is not the only option. Walls can also be treated with wallpaper and wood. In this case, the lower part is lined wood paneling, and the top is covered with wallpaper with a floral pattern. The top should always be lighter than the bottom.

To embody this classic trend, you need a special retro-style bathtub. It should be cast iron, with legs bizarre shape forged metal. The use of modern ergonomic technology in a bathroom inspired by the design of this region is unacceptable.

Hallway in the English style

The house of the true inhabitants of Foggy Albion can meet in different ways: from a huge empty hall to a small room with a set of the most necessary furniture. Already here you can see the British love for antiques, and the entrances to adjoining rooms most often draped with heavy curtains.

Children's room in English style

The children's room should ideally be divided into zones: a playroom, a bedroom and a work desk (if the child goes to school). As for the color scheme, you can use the traditional colors for decoration: cream, beige, pale pink and white in combination with more saturated shades (burgundy, green, brick color and red).

For a girl, romantic patterns with small flowers are suitable, and for a boy, an adventure or nautical theme will be ideal. A popular solution is also to use the colors of the UK flag. English-style children's furniture usually includes a bed with lots of pull-out shelves underneath and a few closets.

English style house

The house in this design seems to have descended from the pages of Jane Austen or a collection of fairy tales for children. As a rule, it has two floors and is surrounded by a garden. Stone and brick are used in the cladding, but they can be combined with wood. These materials provide durability due to moisture resistant properties. The facade of the house in the English style is massive, reliable and has high windows. The layout of the house provides for a fireplace.

Tudor house

Such a house is easily recognizable by its symmetrical forms, a tower above the main entrance and a glazed veranda. The basis of the house is a load-bearing frame filled with clay, brick or foam concrete. The English style in the interior of the house in the spirit of Tudor means the first floor is made of stone, and the second and third are lined with light plaster.

“Country” house

The main feature of the house in the direction of "country" is the use natural materials: stone and wood. Most often this one-story building correct proportions with the attic, which is reserved for the bedroom. It is characterized by semi-circular roofs reminiscent of the thatched roofs of Shakespeare's time. The sides of the house can be tiled or plastered. The interior of the house in the English style "country" includes a fireplace, and outside the house you can see a protruding chimney.

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