Decorating A Colonial Style Home Outside For Christmas

A guide to British Colonial style

Elegant, exotic and evocative, British Colonial style is enjoying a resurgence.

Feb 27, 2019 10:16pm

British Colonial style originated in the West Indies, Caribbean, India and Africa in the era of the British Empire and colonisation. A blending of traditional British style and the local designs and materials available in these tropical destinations, British Colonial style symbolises the beginning of globalisation, travel and exploration.

Elegant yet exotic, this timeless interior style evokes a relaxed, holiday vibe with the kind of luxurious touches you'd find in a five-star resort. While there are many layers to this global-inspired scheme, we break it down into five simple steps so you can easily embrace this enduring look in your own home.

Natural textures

Given that this style stems from the tropics, furniture was made from natural grasses, rattan, bamboo, cane and wicker to allow for any movement and expansion. These materials also add texture – consider a sisal rug, woven light fittings and lots of baskets for storage.

Embrace the colonial trend with cane furniture, linen cushions and jungle-themed wallpaper. Deco armchair in natural, $1199, Naturally Cane. Oxford cushion in Sage, $109.95, Eadie Lifestyle. The Trumpet Player artwork, $4500, Emma Gale.

Light and dark

Dark timber floors are a major feature of this look. Originally, teak, mahogany and ebony were sourced from local forests, but today we can stain our floors or use vinyl to achieve a similar look.

Aren canopy bed, $3850 for queen, InArtisan. Mallorca trunk, $149, Freedom. Campaign safari chair in Black Fumed Oak with White Cotton Canvas, $628, Dunlin. Gabriella mirror, $1195, Sarah Ellison. ON BED: Cassian linen blend fabric, $24.99 per m, Spotlight. 100% linen flat sheet in Tobacco, $180 for queen, 100% linen standard pillowslips in Tobacco, $85 for set of 2, and Washed cotton duvet cover in Forest, $185 for queen, In Bed. Les Palmiers pillows in Classic Palm, $99 for pair, Kawaiian Lion. ON WALL: Barneby Gates "Marrakech Palms" wallpaper in Gold on White, $180 for 10m roll, Wallpaper Trader.

White walls and window coverings will provide contrast and relief, or mix the two with bone-inlay furniture or monochrome tiles.

Bone inlay 3-drawer bedside table in Thin Zigzag, $1250, Fenton&Fenton. La Breeze fan, $9.95, Black Salt Co. Maison Sarah Lavoine "Portofino" table light, $850, Bastille and Sons. Pearl shell dish, $85, Gretel Corrie.

Exotic prints

Palm trees, vibrant florals and animal prints feature heavily and evoke memories of exciting times of adventure and discovery. Introduce them in subtle ways by adding a few cushions to an all-white couch, or go all out with a wall covered in an eye-catching jungle mural or botanical-themed wallpaper.

Barca occasional chair in Gmelina timber, $2385, Contents ID. Dodicci "Umbrie" round dining table in Parquetry finish, $1144, Temple & Webster. Willow woven buffet in Ebony, $3685, GlobeWest. ON TABLE: Tropical Gardenia scented candles, $69 each, Glass domes, $95 each, and Candle snuffer, $40, Lumira. ON WALLS: Lost in Goa Jungle wall mural in Grey (in wall recess), Wallpaper Trader. Palmy wallpaper in Lush Green (behind buffet), $72 a lineal m, These Walls. ON FLOOR: Labyrinth by Steve Cordony "Oblique" tiles in Carrara/Nero Marquinia Honed, $38 per 30.5cm x 30.5cm sheet, Di Lorenzo. Palm Springs floor lamp, $2799, Gypset Cargo.

Raffa wall sconce, $295, Tigmi Trading. Lost in Goa Jungle wall mural in Grey, $300 for 3m roll, Wallpaper Trader. Chelsea cushion in Musk, $109.95, Eadie Lifestyle. Rio round woven beach bag, $89, Arms Of Eve. Portofino throw in Natural, $319, L&M Home.

Luxurious comfort

Take yourself back to a time before technology when people were perfectly content to spend an afternoon reclining on a comfy chair and sipping iced tea. Oversized couches, cushioned daybeds and hammocks all tick the decadence box, while in the bedroom, you can't beat a four-poster bed.

Juliet occasional chairs, $1595 each, and CR Essentials "Capri" stools in Linen Ivory, $895 each, Coco Republic. Bondi 2.5-seat sofa in White, $3495, Harbour 1976. Halston console, $1995, Sarah Ellison. Leather chest, $849 for medium, Alfresco Emporium. ON SOFA: Luca cushions in Burnt Orange and Mustard, $89.95 each, and Oxford throw in Sage, $199.95, Eadie Lifestyle. ON CONSOLE: HK Living brass palm lamps, $999 each, House of Orange. ON FLOOR: Labyrinth by Steve Cordony "Oblique" tiles, as before. Madras rug (1.2m x 1.8m), $99, Freedom. Kentia palms (30cm), $195 each, Garden Life.

Breezy necessities

Air flow was essential in the colonies, with plantation shutters and ceiling fans key accessories. Look for fans with timber or rattan blades, or place the folding paper variety in every room. Mosquito nets were also a must – recreate the look without the claustrophobia by draping a sheer fabric canopy from the ceiling above your bed.

ON WALL: Cole & Son "Hollywood Palm" wallpaper in Leaf Green, $340 for 10m roll, Wallpaper Trader. Perroquet V (green bird) and Perroquet II (blue bird) artworks in Faux Bamboo Brown frames, $655 each, Contents ID.