Colonial Style

It’s spring break for my daughter this week so I am continuing work on my patio updates. I came up with a great way to update the patio furniture but, as with most home improvement projects, it is taking a little longer than expected. If we had a normal amount of lawn furniture, I would be done by now. Our inherited collection consists of 2 tables, 8 chairs, 4 rocker lounges, a chaise, a glider and 5 side tables! I have never counted it before now. When the project is done I will unveil it here for you. Given the large amount of furniture involved, this solution would work well for both a home update or a small commercial project like a restaurant patio or a community pool.

While I am working on my patio project, I wanted to spend this week discussing various design styles, learning elements that we can consider incorporating into our own homes. The first style I wanted to focus on is colonial style, which is the most common home style here in the greater Washington area.

Colonial style generally refers to the style of the first English settlements in the United States. What does Colonial style look like? As far as I can tell, there isn’t a hard and fast definition but you often see the following design elements in Colonial-style homes:

• symmetry (unique design elements are placed in the center, matching design elements are placed in pairs equidistant from the center)
• hardwood flooring
• elaborate wood molding adornments (chair rail molding, crown molding, paneling, columns, etc.)
• grand wooden staircases
• fireplaces with mantels
• canopy-like beds draped in linens
• elegant, wooden furniture with simple lines but some adornment
• patterned wallpaper (particularly floral, toile or Chinese patterns)
• candlesticks and candles
• pewter and fine china
• muted colors (cream, mustard, pale blue, grey, gray-green, brown, white)

In Virginia, we have an excellent reference for Colonial style in the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg served as the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1779.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has published an excellent book, “Williamsburg: Decorating With Style,” that gives an overview of the Colonial design elements, photo examples from the restored homes as well as “contemporary interpretations.” The contemporary interpretations incorporate some of the reproduction pieces you can purchase in Colonial Williamsburg’s associated shops or online.

The book appears to be now out of print. Below are some excerpts:

“[Williamsburg] was the capital of the wealthiest colony, the center for scholarship and sociability, for politics and trade, where the hum of the streets was the very sound of a civilization shaping itself. For a century’s span, Williamsburg’s world was a rich one.”

“Perhaps the aspect of eighteenth century living that would most surprise us now was a room’s flexibility. . . . In the early days of the settlement it was a rare family who had more than a room or two to live in . . . . This central room served many purposes and was furnished for practicality, oriented to the broad fireplace . . . . Furniture was made to be adaptable–stools and chests were for sitting, a long board could be brought out to serve as a table at dinnertime, and a well-trimmed bed along one wall was — when curtains were drawn–the preserve of the master and mistress of the house. . . . [P]rosperity was revealed in the fine woodwork or finishes in what seemed a simple building from without.”

“A contemporary room decorated completely in authentic colonial style would look spare, unsettled, to our eyes.”

“The very wealthy planters would instruct their agents in London to search for whatever was in the newest taste, though adding the caution that what was chosen be “plain but neat.” In fact, furniture made in this period in Virginia is remarkable for its restrained styling in contrast to Norther examples, as Virginians found true elegance in understatement.”

–The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, “Williamsburg: Decorating with Style.”

For examples of modern Colonial-style interiors, check out the real estate videos below.

Of all the Colonial design elements, decorative wood is probably the signature element of Colonial style I notice the most. As an example of how one designer incorporated Colonial-like elements into a porch makeover, see the video below from HGTV. To me, the defining “Colonial” difference in the makeover is the wood elements (railings, corbels, wood flooring) they added.

Many people in Washington like Colonial style because it is “timeless.” It is a relatively simple, unadorned type of style which probably explains why it looks rich and elegant in any age. It also can be easily adapted to any particular taste by changing minor decorative elements like curtains, wallpaper patterns and accessories.

My only complaint with Colonial style is that it is so common here in the Washington area that it can get a little boring. If you decide to go with Colonial style, it is a good idea to inject a little of your own personality into the design. Personal touches like photographs, art, unusual colors and interesting furniture pieces give Colonial style a fresh look.

What do you think of Colonial style? What is your favorite Colonial design element? Please share in the comments.