The Colonial home decorating style is a simple, rustic style and can be found in many homes along the East Coast and former Southern colonies. Colonial home plans range from French Colonial to Georgian Colonial house styles, and even though each type of home has different exterior and interior features, the furnishings and décor are relatively similar. From flooring options to accessories, here are the key elements of the Colonial home decorating style:
Colonial Home Furniture Styles
Furniture in the Colonial home is simple and understated, and the tables, chairs, lamps, bookshelves and other pieces of furniture exhibit simple lines and are typically made with natural woods. Furnishings are stained, not painted, and tables and chairs may be covered with plaid, floral print or fruit print fabric covers. Other key elements of the furniture style for the Colonial home include:
– Rich leather living room furniture
– Sheraton or Hepplewhite wood dining tables and chairs
– Pedestal side tables
– Natural wood or iron umbrella stands
– Carved wood coffee tables
– Limited use of glass
– Traditional banquettes, armoires and gracious shelving throughout
– Maple and pine cabinetry
– Windsor chairs
– Wooden chest of drawers
Wall Decorating and Flooring Options for the Colonial Home
Hardwood flooring is common in most Colonial home plans, but homes built in cooler climates may be adorned with sisal rugs and thick imported rugs to add some color and warmth to the room. Wallpaper is more common than plain walls, and stenciled borders can be found in every room. Key elements of the wall and flooring style of the Colonial home include:
– Oriental style rugs
– Bird and flower motif tapestries
– Floral patterned wallpaper
– Fruit and flower borders
– Antique wallpaper styles with regal designs
– Brass wall sconces with mirrored backs
– Black and white photographs in simple frames cascading down the wall
– Marble surrounds for the fireplace
Colonial Home Decorating: Accessories
Countertops, shelves and ceilings in the Colonial home are often decorated with imported European accessories, paintings and sculptures. Displaying fine china is commonplace in both French Colonial and Georgian Colonial homes, and these can be displayed in rows of shelving in the parlor or dining room area. Other common accessories for the Colonial home style include:
– Painted or glazed stoneware and earthenware
– Ferns and greenery in painted pots
– Tiffany lamps
– Simple glass chandeliers
– Still life paintings, ranging from Renaissance-era paintings to American colonial times
– Black and white photographs in simple frames along the mantle
– Hand woven baskets
– European-made crafts and keepsakes
– Bronze, gold and silver antiques
-Tin plates
– Tie-back draperies around the windows
– Iron magazine racks or umbrella holders
– Wooden nesting boxes
– Large wall mirrors
Sources:
Staceyssimplestuff.com
Realtor.com
