Guest Picks: Bringing Brit Chic into Your Home
by Lucy McLintic · 20 photos · 6 comments
1 of 20
Tower Bridge at Night Cushion - GBP 135.00 [ Link ]
Instead of the ubiquitous Union Jack pillow, I'd opt for one of these graphic designs featuring the London skyline. My favorite is this one of Tower Bridge.
by Selfridges
Cave Girl Rug by Vivienne Westwood [ Link ]
If I asked you to think of a celebrated British designer, Vivienne Westwood is likely to spring to mind. Her collection of rugs for The Rug Company has the same edgy take on tradition as her catwalk looks. My favorite is this tartan rug, which is unexpectedly cut on the diagonal.
by The Rug Company
Matador Chair - $1,850.00 [ Link ]
Perhaps the biggest name in British interior design is Terence Conran. In addition to being the founder of design emporiums Habitat and Heal's, he created numerous pieces that have become modern classics in their own right. I love the mid-century lines and pillar box red of this aptly named Matador Chair.
by The Conran Shop
Cow Parsley Wallpaper - $178.00 [ Link ]
Wallpaper manufacturer Cole & Son uses traditional hand-printing techniques and has a vast range of quintessentially British designs. This Cow Parsley pattern reminds me of an English hedgerow, but the red and gold palette lifts it out of the ordinary.
by walnut wallpaper
Dalston Rose Wallpaper - $125.00 [ Link ]
I love this black and white floral pattern, Dalston Rose, that comes as wallpaper, fabric or furniture. I'd use this wallpaper in a contemporary black and white scheme.
by walnut wallpaper
Traditional Cake Stand - GBP 120.00 [ Link ]
The black and white floral theme even extends to the china. I can just imagine this cake stand piled high with red velvet cupcakes — very punk glam. Vivienne Westwood would be proud.
by House of Hackney
Old Hickory Tannery "Ellsworth" Tufted Sofa - $2,299.00 [ Link ]
And here's the perfect pairing for my black pillow: a white Chesterfield sofa. Chesterfields are deep, tufted sofas with arms and back of the same height. This is actually an Old Hickory sofa and not exactly a Chesterfield, but it's a similar effect and would bring some country estate elegance to a contemporary room.
by Horchow
London Eye Cushion - GBP 135.00 [ Link ]
Or you could reverse the colors and choose this white pillow with the famous London Eye to go with a black sofa.
by Selfridges
Black Velvet Chesterfield Sofa - GBP 995.00 [ Link ]
This black velvet Chesterfield would be perfect. I like the sloping arms and ball feet that give it an updated, whimsical look.
by The French Bedroom Company
Jonathan Adler Chippendale Arm Chair - $645.00 [ Link ]
Another classic from British furniture design is the Chinese Chippendale chair. Named after the 18th Century British cabinet maker who pioneered the style, these chairs feature lacquer and latticework. A favorite of mine is Jonathan Adler's version, which comes in dozens of colors. I'd love to use this black lacquer and gray check version in an all-white dining room or with a white desk in an elegant office.
by Jonathan Adler
Antelope Chair - $975.00 [ Link ]
A more modern classic British seat is the Antelope Chair designed by Ernest Race in the 1950s. The splayed steel design is supposed to be reflective of the discoveries in molecular physics at the time. Well, I don't know about that, but I do know I like its slender, unassuming form and would like one in my dining room!
by The Conran Shop
Ashley Hicks Sabre 76 Side Table [ Link ]
I love this Sabre table by Ashley Hicks, the daughter of revered interior designer David Hicks. I couldn't have this table with kids in the house, but for a very grown-up living room, this would be quite a conversation piece.
by Ashley Hicks Furniture
Hera Liberty Print Miniature Suitcase - GBP 65.00 [ Link ]
Who doesn't love Liberty of London prints? This mini suitcase in Liberty's Hera Tana Lawn print would make an adorable alternative storage solution. I would stack three of them to act as an informal accent table in a hallway.
by Liberty
Blu Dot Splash Coat Rack, Grey - $279.00 [ Link ]
Of course, we English love our hats, so no hallway would be complete without a hat stand. I'm a fan of this modern, gray "dipped" version by Blu Dot.
by Wayfair
Doily Rug - $298.00 [ Link ]
English Victorian houses used a lot of lace accents, and this Doily Rug from Anthropologie is a tongue-in-cheek reference to that era. I'd update the look by using it in an all-white bedroom with a stunning chandelier.
by Anthropologie
Arteriors Jada Wire Wrapped Chandelier - $1,668.00 [ Link ]
This Oly Studio chandelier would be the perfect light fixture. It's made of wire that has been wrapped to look like crystals, so it is a more industrial take on traditional English stately home style.
by Zinc Door
Rose Cushion Cover - $26.00 [ Link ]
I'm not a big fan of floral chintz, but I appreciate it in small doses. No one does English florals better than Cath Kidston, and these pillows would look good on a bench or window seat in a kitchen.
by Cath Kidston USA
Sophie Conran Large Pitcher, White - $40.00 [ Link ]
No English country kitchen is complete without a large jug stuffed with overblown roses. I would choose this large Sophie Conran pitcher for its simple shape and handcrafted appeal. I'd pair it with lots of foliage for a more contemporary effect.
by The Conran Shop
Mortar & Pestle - GBP 30.00 [ Link ]
Cornishware, one of the icons of English pottery, actually had nothing to do with Cornwall. It was created in Derbyshire in North England, and it was named after the waves off the Cornish coastline because of its original blue and white palette. The factory shut down in 2007 after almost 90 years but was revived recently by fans. And just as well, because these bold stripes could grace any kitchen.
by T.G. Green
English Pear & Freesia Home Candle - $65.00 [ Link ]
The finishing touch for an English-inspired home would have to be a set of these Jo Malone candles. I never tire of their understated packaging, and I like that they bring a bit of London townhouse elegance to any room.
Next: I Spy Union Jacks
by Jo Malone
Next: I Spy Union Jacks
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