You will find a historical digression into the origins of a comfortable and so sweet looking English dwelling. Photos of houses and interiors - modern.
In the XVI-XVII centuries, England became the center of world trade and a powerful colonial power. Country estates are becoming the defining type of English housing. During this period, the architecture, named after the ruling dynasty, was called "Tudor". The estates have already lost their fortress character, residential buildings have increased in width, large and frequent windows and bay windows have replaced the slit-like openings of medieval castles.
At this time, many Flemish architects were working in England, fleeing the persecution of the Spanish Inquisition, they had a significant impact on the development of decorative motifs in the design of buildings. The requirements of reliability and defense capability have given way to concerns about best lighting and ventilation of the premises, now housing had to be comfortable, have not only cozy living quarters, but also beautiful front rooms, and the beauty of their decoration testifies to the power and wealth of the owner.
As before, in the center of the house, as in medieval castles, there was a hall - a front hall, but now it was richly decorated on the walls with carved oak panels, and hunting trophies, weapons and portraits of eminent ancestors were hung above them. The ceiling was covered with stucco or carved open rafters.
On one side of the hall were living rooms, and on the other - utility rooms. This configuration of the house goes back to the old wooden dwelling of the Saxons, where the utility and living quarters were located around the threshing floor, the ceiling of which was the open rafters of the roof. An indispensable attribute of the house was a huge fireplace that reached almost to the ceiling. And another characteristic detail is the wide staircase in the hall, decorated with sculptures and carved wooden railings. The owners of the estate were very proud of the beauty and size of the stairs.
The outside of the building was clad in brick with white hewn stone trim. These details were decorated with intertwining scrolls of carving, masks, figures of monsters. The contrasting combination of decorative white stone parts and brick planes makes feature English architecture.
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At the same time in the English villages are beginning to be built in large numbers half-timbered houses(the influence of Flemish architects affected). Their facades are covered with a frequent grid of wooden beams - fachwerk, which stood out brightly against the background of white plaster and picturesquely decorated the streets of villages and small towns.
Two centuries later, residential buildings of Victorian England, common in both the city and the countryside, retained many of the architectural features of the estate of the past, but became more compact. The traditional hall and staircase continued to form the center of the building, with the rest of the rooms grouped around them.
The outbuildings have moved to ground floor. As before, the houses were brick with white stone trim, and in the center of the facade there was a door framed by white columns.
were especially attractive cozy interiors similar houses. Their decor was based on antique motifs. covered with oak carved panels walls, carved fireplaces and white sculptured staircases.
And in the rooms stylish furniture Chippendale, a famous master of that time, as if "quilted" with many nails. The cosiness and comfort of these houses were loved by the next generations of their inhabitants, carefully preserving the interiors and supplementing them with items from their eras. As a result, a completely original style- a traditional English house.
Loyalty to traditions, as you know, is a hallmark of the British. The reason for this was the island isolation, and the restrained nature, and the measured way of life of the subjects of the kingdom. The well-known motto "My home is my fortress!" It is a kind of philosophy of their life. And in our time, respectable English people prefer antiquity to avant-garde, and authenticity to stylization, so if there is oak furniture in the house, then it really is made of solid oak, and not finished "under oak". Everything in this house is established firmly and permanently and is passed on unchanged from generation to generation. For example, the Windsor hardwood chair, invented three hundred years ago, is just as popular today. AND tree species used for furniture production are the same as many centuries ago: oak, walnut, yew. But this furniture, on which many generations of ancestors sat, is, as it were, fanned by a special aura and creates an indescribable charm of an English house.
Each new generation of its inhabitants, without changing anything inherited from their ancestors, brought something of their own to the atmosphere. So from the colonies they brought wicker rattan furniture for the terrace, from travels to the East - Arabic lamps, Japanese screens and engravings. And, as a consequence of the gradual acquisition, the pieces of furniture in the interior differ in tone and style, generally creating a kind of harmony.
A large place in the decor of an English house is occupied by textiles: lamp shades, covers on sofas and chairs, pillows and blankets on chairs, curtains and a canopy over the bed. The color scheme is usually light, calm. And the drawings are varied from Scottish cells and printed chintzes to small flower in the kitchen, strict stripes on silk and colored cashmere in the living room to luxurious bouquets of "English" roses on the canopy, bedspreads and curtains in the bedroom.
A typical English drawing with juicy bouquets of roses scattered on a light background has become popular not only in England. But he could have been born right there: with such curtains and a canopy over the bed, you can isolate yourself from damp fog and drizzle outside the window, recalling centuries-old English lawns and luxurious flower beds. Plain, striped, small floral pattern or covered with antique oak panels, the walls of the house are decorated with tapestries and paintings: watercolors, engravings, landscapes, painted in oils, of course, originals.
An indispensable attribute of a house in foggy and cool England is a fireplace. It can be different: simply finished with whitewashed bricks with a dark wood mantel, tiled or natural stone. But in any case, this is the center of the living room, around it is upholstered furniture, low tables, woolen carpets with a soft pattern on wooden floor. Such fireplaces look very stylish even in modern interiors:
The kitchen in an English house is a special room. Solid hardwood furniture, carved and painted in light colors: a chest of drawers, a slide with dishes, open shelves with ceramics, most often white and blue. Plates with a discreet pattern of all sizes, candlesticks, teapots. What used to be used, today serves as a decoration for the kitchen. Modern Appliances in such a kitchen it is “hidden”, but the hearth-fireplace serves as a decoration for the kitchen, which was previously used for heat and cooking, and now creates a cozy atmosphere of an old house.
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All the details of life in such a house, be it trinkets and souvenirs on the mantelpiece, a carpet, a lamp, a picture or furniture on the terrace, correspond to the customs and habits of this particular family, are associated with family stories and legends. English interiors of the Victorian era are very individual and natural - this is their main distinguishing feature and this is the special charm of the style of a traditional English house.
Unfortunately, today's middle-class Englishmen do not strive to follow centuries-old traditions, while Russian-speaking people who moved to Albion recreate replicas of such spectacular and book-loved Victorian interiors with pleasure and meticulousness, skillfully inscribing British notes into modern style with the help of designers:
Dreams of durable, comfortable and beautiful house may someday come true. It all depends on how these dreams will be combined with physical and mental efforts.
And if you have such (or a slightly different) house (or apartment), you need to be fully equipped and equip your home, finally, the way you want. And in order to know what you want, it is better to get acquainted with the interior that others have. In this article, I propose to look at the interiors in English style. In the photo below, a classic living room with a carpet, a sofa and armchairs with ears. A low table in front of the sofa with a top covered with natural leather is a visiting card of the English house. The combination of furniture with thin legs (sofa and armchairs) with more massive and voluminous in one room is also a distinctive feature of the British.
The same “eared” chairs, but in colorful upholstery, books on the shelves, a twisted forged chandelier, lighting in the form of small floor lamps with fabric lampshades and, finally, a palm tree by the window - all this is a classic English interior.
The usual comfortable old armchair next to the bed, where you can sit before going to bed and look through a book or watch TV. Everything is simple, but looking at this interior, you understand that everything is fine in this house with comfort and arrangement!
The English house usually has large windows, decorated with curtains to the floor. This gives the rooms a special elegance.
Small rooms with low ceilings, panels on the walls of natural wood, olive-colored walls and soft electric and natural lighting create the atmosphere of an English home.
Wooden panels on the walls are preferably made from durable woods, which are treated in a special way against mold and bugs.
Semicircular windows, dark olive walls, a large fireplace, massive upholstered furniture and palm trees, as witnesses of the past colonial conquests of the British. Much of the interior, like outlandish plants, appeared in the dwellings of the British thanks to fearless sailors who brought all this from their distant sea voyages.
Accommodation in one room upholstered furniture with different upholstery for some reason does not cause a feeling of disunity of the interior, but quite the contrary. There is something elusive and unifying in this environment.
A fireplace or a stove that needs to be heated with wood will warm their owners in any frost. And how great it is to come after a slushy and cold street, light a fireplace and sit next to listen to the crackling of firewood and feel how warm it is in the room.
Evenings by the lit fireplace in the narrow circle of the family, what could be better?
Winter evenings will not seem tiringly long, in such a small room next to your loved ones it is warm and you don’t want to go anywhere.
And around the fireplace you can place all the portraits and small paintings that are dear to your heart.
Chimney - as a decoration of the house.
The bedroom in an English house is a well-appointed room. The bed is the main piece of furniture, always beautiful and fundamental.
Not only the furniture in the English house is solid, but also other interior items. The British do not fill their house with cheap knick-knacks, and if they bring a thing into the house, then forever.
The secret of quality and quality English furniture is to use natural materials for its manufacture and the skill of furniture makers.
Such a metal bed with a wrought-iron headboard looks elegant and light. The bright room is filled with sun and fresh air.
Such a bed is covered with a ruffled bedspread, pillowcases on pillows and curtains on the windows should be in tone with it.
All English furniture is reliable and of high quality, it serves several generations.
And this girl's bedroom is in soft blue with lots of colored pillows.
Here is the bedroom for adult family members. Every inch of space is used here. But everything is in its place, everything pleases the eye.
Once the canopy over the bed was evidence of the greatness of its owner. Now this addition to the interior of the bedroom is arranged by romantic people over their beds.
Order in the house is order in thoughts, success in work, calm and measured life.
Carefully equip not only the bedroom, but also the kitchen. This is a special place in the house where food is prepared, it is always cozy here, it smells delicious, there is an abundance of sunlight and flowers.
Here everything is at hand, everything is familiar and familiar. And it has always been so, because the conservative British honor their traditions and keep the connection of generations. miraculous self made furniture is passed from grandmother to granddaughter.
English cuisine can be light colors with obligatory chair covers, with fabric curtains on glass cabinet doors, with lace curtains on the windows.
IN English cuisine always a lot of dishes. English porcelain is renowned for its quality, both antique and modern.
Dishes in England have always been made not only porcelain, faience, but also ceramic and metal.
How nice it is to celebrate holidays in such a reliable and beautiful house, for example, New Year and Christmas. Fresh pine or Christmas tree branches, lit candles, waiting for a miracle.
And here is the Christmas tree, in the evening it will gather the whole family in this small living room.
Such New Year's Eve evenings with the family are remembered forever and live in our childhood memories as the best.
To make your fairy tale house not only cozy and comfortable inside, but also pleasing to the eye from the outside, it should be surrounded by green spaces.
Trees, flowers, climbing plants there will never be too many if they are well maintained. Of course, such a house looks more like the abode of gnomes from English fairy tales, but the flowers are real.
Without the wonderful plants around this house it would be empty and lonely.
And this, albeit small, but such a nice house, also looks good.
I would like to live in such an old brick house, decorated with a climbing trellis rose.
And in front of the house or on outdoor terrace put here such a sofa-swing with a lace cape.
On such a sunny terrace, among the abundance of plants, it is easy to breathe.
The sofa can be placed not only on the veranda or terrace, but also in the garden in front of the house and admire the daisies, cornflowers and asters in moments of relaxation.
The British, like many people on Earth, appreciate nature and love trees and flowers, so they surround their homes with them.
In such a house should be a simple but comfortable interior.
All these houses have their own face, take a closer look, and you will see it too.
Even from the photograph, you can feel the warmth of human hands, with what love and in a businesslike way everything is done. And the poultry only adds color to this rural idyll.
"My home is my castle" - so say now not only the British. After all, all people in the world understand that their home is part of the happy existence of the whole family.
There is no need to copy from the British their way of life, their houses and interiors. We are different, but no one forbids us to learn from experience and learn from other nations the quality of life, to improve our culture of life, to equip our home, based on the achievements and skills of Europeans.
The classicism of the English style for decorating country houses attracts both designers and ordinary people with its functionality, rigor and the ability to demonstrate well the taste and character of its guests. Photos of houses in the English style show the external roughness of unlined facades with low-lying window openings and a bright red tiled roof.
The distinctive elements of the outside of the English apartments are:
- wall surfaces lined with natural stone elements or bricks;
- lack of carved details;
- asymmetry in the arrangement of the exterior composition;
- the presence of columns;
- narrow color palette;
- gable strict roof;
- the territory near the house is planted with a garden and flowers.
Types of English country buildings
The architecture of English buildings is recognizable all over the world. There are three main architectural and construction trends with their own peculiarities and features.
Tudor house style. Visually, such buildings resemble fabulous village houses. However, the appearance is a bit rough.
The main architectural features of this type are:
- the presence of high gables on the main facade;
- a roof with a steep slope and uneven edges;
- a large trumpet and miniature dormer windows;
- the general outlines of the building are asymmetrical;
- the entrance has an arched structure.
Georgian architectural style. For the modern English building world, this direction is the most popular. The buildings in the Georgian direction look magnificent and simple at the same time.
The direction is characterized by the following features:
- symmetry;
- window openings of the same size, which have the same location;
- absence different kind embellishments;
- the main facade of the building is decorated with five windows;
- the front door is very low;
- low roof.
Victorian direction. Is different decorative cladding and contrasting color combinations.
Its features:
- asymmetric arrangement;
- overall territory of the veranda;
- decorative finishing of wall surfaces with stone or siding;
- ornamental and stucco elements.
The main feature of the houses, made in the English style, is the construction of a red brick building. Thanks to this material, which has a very reasonable cost, the life of the house is increased.
Another advantage is the high soundproofing qualities inside the premises.
The project of English apartments is characterized by the presence of two full floors and, in some cases, an attic. The entrance to the room is located in the middle.
architectural features
The foundation of a typical English residential building is very low, so the floor surface is almost level with the ground. You won’t be able to meet the usual basements and garages in the house, since the English style does not imply this.
Sometimes the owners can equip a small cellar or pantry in the home. External facade they do not decorate or veneer in any way, so it looks rather rough.
Window openings of a rectangular or square shape of the first level are located low. The roof of the house is covered with red tiles, its shape is sharp, and the construction is very high. IN last years the roofs of English houses are made of straw or thatch.
A porch is attached to the house only if the building is located on a plot with a slope. And here entrance doors and windows are often framed by awnings.
Ivy winding along the canopy brings a special luxury to the design of the house in the English style. It is customary to plant small gardens and arrange picturesque flower beds next to an English residential building.
Layout inside the house
The main living area of the first floor is represented by a spacious living room, which, as a rule, is combined with a dining room, corridor areas and a hall. The guest room is necessarily made bright, since there are a lot of window openings. Another room on the first level is an office.
The second floor is considered the territory of sleep. In total, there are three bedrooms, one of which has a bathroom and wardrobe.
Interior composition of the house
The main conditions for creating an internal English interior for a private house are comfort and coziness. The living room is arranged in such a way that it is convenient for all guests and household members to be here.
Natural wood is chosen as finishing materials typical for work in the English style. The floor surfaces are covered with a noble parquet flooring.
The chosen direction is characterized by large spacious areas for the living room, however, with the help of design techniques and in small rooms it is possible to create a project that is distinguished by its effectiveness and style.
An obligatory characteristic element for the English direction interior decoration is a fireplace. It acts as the center of the entire interior composition in the guest area.
It is possible to clad the fireplace various materials in the form of marble, wood or limestone panels. On the shelf above the fireplace, it is customary to display watches, bronze sculptures, flowerpots with flowers and snuff boxes with cigarette cases.
The English stylistic direction is perfect for decorating a private country residence.
Photo of houses in the English style
English-style houses are in demand all over the world. The style incorporates conservatism, rigor, practicality and sophistication. Such houses are considered the standard of reliability, stability and correspond to the moderate life size of the British aristocracy. Historically, the architecture of modern England combines three styles: Victorian, Georgian and Tudor.
Peculiarities
The houses of old England are very similar to the classical ones. At first glance, it may seem that massive stone houses in the English style with a wide facade do not look concise, and the architectural elements do not fit together. But design projects prove the opposite: elegance, restraint and spaciousness - everything is perfectly mixed in one style.
The English style combines functionality, rigor and shows the character of its owner.
The architecture of English houses is a kind of visualization of the mentality of the British. Its design should take into account traditional features, restraint and some isolation. In addition, such houses are always distinguished by reliability and durability. The main features of the English style:
- The first thing that becomes noticeable is the predominance of natural red stone in the decoration of buildings. The peculiarity of architecture was influenced primarily by the rainy and cool climate of England.
- Large square or rectangular windows.
- High and pointed roof with red tiles and a stone chimney.
- asymmetrical architecture.
- A large number of flowers, trees and bushes on the site.
Given the closed nature characteristic of the British, most of the sites are fenced off from prying eyes. This is a must-have feature of an English-style home.
Fence in rustic style creates a unique look and a complete picture of the English house. The most common option is hedge with climbing plants.
The house is always located separately from the garage and other outbuildings. All structures are usually located in the backyard in the middle of the site in order to hide away from prying eyes. Often houses have a small terrace, a lawn with a flower garden and evenly trimmed bushes, also hidden from prying eyes.
Facade
The finished house in the English style looks massive and strict. The facade is characterized by the use of natural materials. Usually such a building can be described as a stone structure with a wide facade, which, however, attracts attention with clarity of lines and accuracy. Usually, the house is plastered and made of red brick with classic masonry. Cladding, light-coloured stucco, and any façade decorations are not considered traditional in the British style.
The facade has distinctive features:
- natural stone or brick;
- lack of carved and decorative elements;
- high pediments and columns;
- lack of a porch;
- even distribution of large windows;
- color palette of red or gray shades.
When building houses, the British prefer natural materials - brick and stone. Such material has long term service and is able to withstand temperature extremes and high humidity.
A real English house should be built from natural red brick.
The main advantages of brick houses:
- ecologically pure finishing material;
- resistance to temperature and humidity changes;
- excellent sound insulation;
- reliability and durability;
- small cost.
Often to imitate brick facade clinker tiles or brick-like thermal panels are used. Wooden houses built from round logs. Such houses speak of the impeccable taste and status of the owners. But often you can find houses with a combined facade of wood and stone.
Roof
Due to the complex configurations of the roof, the roof is given a high shape. The pointed roof of the English style is difficult to confuse with other architectural or design decision. Steep, with red or dark tiles- is considered a kind of business card.
Also popular roofing materials country house slate and straw remain. Such houses have their own special and unique style.
In the middle of the 17th century, the roofs were covered with straw or water reeds; such houses testified to the difficult financial situation of the owner of the house. Today the situation has changed: thatched roofs are considered environmentally friendly, therefore they are gaining popularity among wealthy citizens and are a sure sign of well-being and prosperity.
The cool climate, constant humidity and frequent rains have left their mark on the construction of the roof. All houses have an additional canopy around the perimeter. It is rare to find a porch in a classic English house. But a canopy in the form of a pointed roof is a necessary attribute of the entrance group. Green ivy curling along the canopy looks great here.
Window
The high windows of the cottage are located very close to each other and have a strict, uniform shape - a square or a rectangle. They are playing special role in the interior of the house and have two or three wings. They are distributed evenly around the entire perimeter of the building. In rare cases, and often as an exception, there are round or arched windows.
On the ground floor of the house in the living room can be located panoramic windows and bay windows. Windows should have additional wooden beams that separate the glass into separate squares.
The ideal option considered the Dutch system of sliding frames, which involves the vertical lifting of the lower part of the frame.
In the interior, windows are hung with voluminous curtains, decorated with drapery, cords and floor-length veils. This gives a special elegance and sophistication to the room.
Number of floors
Traditionally, houses in England were built according to a plan, the basis of which was a rectangle. Modern buildings have been preserved correct form. Project two-story house will become great solution For suburban area. But even a small one-story house, immersed in greenery, will allow you to relax away from the metropolis.
The buildings have a small foundation, and the height of traditional houses reaches two and three floors. The floor on the first floor is almost at ground level. Cellars are usually absent, but may be provided small cellar, in which the British prefer to store rarely used things and items.
most main room considered a living room. It is located on the ground floor and includes an entrance hall, dining area and hall. There are many large windows in a large room, so there is always a lot of air and light in it. On the ground floor there may be a library and a study, as well as a kitchen.
The second floor is allocated for sleep and rest of the household and is traditionally a bedroom. One of the rooms can have a bathroom and wardrobe.
Sometimes the house may have an attic. Despite the fact that the roof has a complex, large shape and occupies a huge part of the building, according to the plan, this part of the house is practically not used as free space. Under the roof it is customary to hide non-residential utility room With big windows. The attic can be used for domestic needs: for drying clothes or as a pantry.
Interior decoration
Choosing an interior is a very important and painstaking work. English interior considered one of the most difficult among stylistic trends. It is often equated with classic style and associate with something majestic. The main palette in the decoration - all shades of red: soft burgundy, rich and dark red. As well as gray, white and olive.
The English style is typical a large number of wood in the interior. Ideal for interior decoration of the mahogany room. Expensive and elegant material perfectly complements the conservative style. And this applies not only to the floor, ceiling and skirting boards, but also ceiling beams And wall panels combined with wallpaper.
However, not all wallpapers are suitable for an English-style interior. Preference should be given to vertical drawings and clear geometric shapes and floral motifs.
floors
The floor, windows and doors of a private house are made of noble woods: oak, walnut and mahogany. Natural parquet is ideal. To give a special shine and preserve the natural deep color, the boards are varnished and waxed. It is also possible to use light tiles or parquet board in some areas of the house.
Walls
The lower part of the wall, like the floor, should have wood flooring. Wallpaper with a geometric pattern or dense floral patterns can be glued on top. joint closes wooden lath at the back of the sofa. Often, light paint is used as wall decoration in combination with wooden slats.
If the house is built of logs, then interior decoration hides the tree with drywall constructions. Paintings, mirrors and photographs in large gilded frames can give a finished look to the design of the walls.
ceilings
The whole house has a ceiling White color. To create the effect of centuries family home, can be used wooden beams on the ceiling, imitating ancient ceilings. Stucco can be used as decoration.
Furniture
Furniture and any decorative elements V country house must be made of expensive natural materials and be of high quality.
Products and furniture made of plastic and artificial synthetic materials must not be used in the English style. The main materials are wood, bronze and silver.
The main feature of any English house is a real fireplace. In damp and dank weather, it performs not just an aesthetic function. Facing is carried out with stone, wood, marble with an openwork forged fence. On the mantelpiece are clocks, tall candles, porcelain sculptures and flowers. It is advisable to use antiques.
A sofa or armchairs with "ears" are placed opposite the fireplace and are located in the center of the living room. Mandatory attribute of the living room - classic coffee table from natural wood. All furniture should have clear, smooth lines and thin carved legs. You can complement the interior of the living room with a velvet ottoman for legs and a metal forged stand for fireplace accessories.
