Colonial American Interior Design Styles
The American Colonial interior design style replicated many of the traditional 18th century European homes of immigrants during the early 18th century. This design style is influenced by the early farmhouses of America as well as the regal homes and castles of Old Europe. It is still used today to design and decorate many homes around the United States. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The American Colonial design style was prevalent throughout North America during the early 18th century onwards. The simple and practical appearance of these homes later evolved into a more sophisticated and elegant version of the American Colonial style, as settlers purchased larger homes and estate properties throughout the colonial regions, and wealthy homeowners traveled the globe collecting antiques and furnishings.
Identification
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The Colonial American design style can be identified by several characteristics and features, including extensive woodwork and trim throughout the home, wide baseboards, crown molding on the walls and around windows, muted paint colors for walls and ceilings, all-wood kitchens, antique furniture or rustic farm furnishings, handmade cabinets and shelving, cast iron floor lamps, hand-pieced quilts and handwoven rugs throughout the home.
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Types
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There are two main types of the Colonial American design style, the Early American and the 18th Century Colonial.
The Early American style combines traditional European designs and accessories with classic furniture to create a rustic, casual ambiance.
The 18th Century Colonial style consists of higher-grade furniture, accessories and decor, rich fabrics and accents from the Orient. Many homes decorated in the 18th Century Colonial style also featured antique collections from around the globe.
Key Themes
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Key themes of the Early American colonial design style include a rustic, farmhouse-inspired appearance with simple, functional fabrics and mixed woods such as maple, chestnut and knotty pine. Farmhouse furnishings are often used in the Early American interior design style.
Key themes of the 18th Century Colonial design style include fine furniture, such as handmade cabinets and carved wooden shelves, premium hardwood floors made with mahogany, cherry or walnut, elegant tapestries as wall coverings and brocade fabric coverings on furniture.
Decor
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Key decorative features and accessories of the Early American Colonial design style include colorful hand-braided rugs, walls painted with simple floral designs, hand made wooden chairs and tables, farmhouse furnishings, light ivory ceilings and cotton or linen quilts and fabric coverings.
Key decorative features and accessories of the 18th Century Colonial design style include Oriental rugs, exotic carved vases, framed oil paintings, velveteen drapes and upholstered chairs made with velvet coverings, sculptures, walls painted with elegant floral designs, antique wing chairs, brass fixtures, elegant lighting fixtures such as chandeliers, gold leaf mirrors and the use of candlesticks throughout the home.
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