You will find a historical excursion into the origins of a comfortable and so sweet-looking English home. Photos of houses and interiors are modern.
In the 16th-17th 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 influence on the development of decorative motifs in the design of buildings. Requirements for reliability and defense capability have given way to concerns about best lighting and ventilation of the premises, now the housing had to be comfortable, have not only cozy living rooms, but also beautiful formal rooms, and the beauty of their decoration would testify 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 ceremonial hall, but now it was richly decorated along the walls with carved oak panels, and above them were hung hunting trophies, weapons and portraits of famous ancestors. The ceiling was covered with stucco or carved open rafters.
On one side of the hall there were living rooms, and on the other - utility rooms. This configuration of the house goes back to the ancient wooden dwelling of the Saxons, where utility and living quarters were located around a 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 staircase.
The outside of the building was clad in brick with white cut stone trim. These details were decorated with intertwining curls of carvings, masks, and figures of monsters. The contrasting combination of decorative white stone parts and brick surfaces makes characteristic feature English architecture.
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At the same time, large numbers of buildings began to be built in English villages. half-timbered houses(the influence of Flemish architects affected). Their facades were covered with a dense network of wooden beams - half-timbered beams, which stood out brightly against the background of white plaster and picturesquely decorated the streets of villages and small towns.
Two centuries later, the residential buildings of Victorian England, common in both town and country, retained many of the architectural features of the manor houses of the past, but became more compact. The center of the building was still made up of the traditional hall and staircase, and the remaining rooms were grouped around them.
Utility rooms 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 staircases decorated with sculpture.
And in the rooms - stylish furniture Chippendale, a famous master of that time, as if “quilted” with many nails. The next generations of their inhabitants fell in love with the coziness and comfort of these houses, carefully preserving the interiors and supplementing them with objects from their eras. As a result, a completely formed original style- a traditional English house.
Loyalty to traditions, as is known, is a distinctive feature of the British. The reason for this was the island isolation, the reserved character, and the measured way of life of the subjects of the kingdom. The well-known motto “My home is my fortress!” - this is a kind of philosophy of their life. And in our time, respectable Englishmen prefer antiquity to avant-garde, and authenticity to stylization, so if there is oak furniture in the house, then it is really made of solid oak, and not finished “to look like oak”. Everything in this house is installed firmly and for a long time and is passed on unchanged from generation to generation. For example, the Windsor hard chair made of wood, invented three hundred years ago and is just as popular today. AND tree species, used for the production of furniture, are the same as many centuries ago: oak, walnut, yew. But this furniture, on which many generations of ancestors sat, seems to be surrounded by a special aura and creates the indescribable charm of an English home.
Each new generation of its inhabitants, without changing anything inherited from their ancestors, brought something of their own to the environment. Thus, wicker rattan furniture for the terrace was brought from the colonies, and Arab lamps, Japanese screens and engravings were brought from travels to the East. And, as a result of the gradual acquisition, pieces of furniture in the interior differ in tone and style, generally creating a kind of harmony.
Textiles occupy a large place in the decor of an English home: lampshades, covers on sofas and chairs, pillows and blankets on armchairs, curtains and canopies over the bed. The color scheme is usually light and calm. And the designs vary from Scottish checks and printed chintz 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 typically English design with lush bouquets of roses scattered on a light background has become popular not only in England. But he could have been born there: with such curtains and a canopy over the bed you can isolate yourself from the humid fog and drizzle outside the window, recalling centuries-old English lawns and luxurious flower beds. Plain, striped, with small floral designs or covered with antique oak panels, the walls of the house are decorated with tapestries and paintings: watercolors, engravings, landscapes, oil paintings, and, of course, originals.
An indispensable attribute of a house in foggy and cool England is a fireplace. It can be different: simply decorated with bleached bricks with a dark wood mantel, lined with tiles or natural stone. But in any case, this is the center of the living room, around it there is upholstered furniture, low tables, woolen carpets with a dim pattern on wooden floor. Such fireplaces look very stylish even in modern interiors:
The kitchen in an English house is a special room. Good quality furniture made of hard wood, carved and painted in light colors: a chest of drawers, a pile of dishes, open shelves with ceramics, most often blue and white. Plates with discreet patterns of all sizes, candlesticks, teapots. What was previously used today serves as a decoration for the kitchen. Modern Appliances in such a kitchen it is “hidden”, but the decoration of the kitchen is the hearth-fireplace, which was previously used for warmth and cooking, but now creates a cozy atmosphere of an old house.
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All the details of everyday life in such a house, be it trinkets and souvenirs on the mantelpiece, a carpet, a lamp, a painting or furniture on the terrace, correspond to the customs and habits of this particular family and are associated with family stories and legends. English interiors of the Victorian era are very individual and natural - this is their main distinctive feature and this is also the special charm of the style of a traditional English house.
Unfortunately, now modern Englishmen of average income do not strive to follow centuries-old traditions, while Russian-speakers who have moved to Albion are happy and meticulous in recreating replicas of such spectacular Victorian interiors, beloved from books, skillfully incorporating British notes into the modern style with the help of designers:
Dreams of durable, cozy and beautiful house may someday come to fruition. It all depends on how these dreams are combined with physical and mental efforts.
And if you have such (or a slightly different) house (or apartment), you need to be fully armed and finally arrange your home the way you wanted. And in order to know what you want, it is better to familiarize yourself with the interior that others have. In this article I propose to look at the interiors in english style. The photo below shows a classic living room with a carpet, a sofa and armchairs with ears. A low table in front of the sofa with a table top covered with genuine leather is a calling card of an English home. The combination of furniture with thin legs (sofa and armchairs) with more massive and voluminous ones 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 wrought-iron 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.
An ordinary comfortable old chair next to the bed, where you can sit before going to bed and leaf through a book or watch TV. Everything is simple, but looking at this interior, you understand that everything in this house is good with comfort and arrangement!
An English house usually has large windows decorated with floor-length curtains. This gives the rooms a special elegance.
Small rooms with low ceilings, panels on the walls made of natural wood, olive color of the walls and soft electric and natural lighting create the atmosphere of an English home.
Wooden panels on the walls are preferably made from durable types of wood, which are treated in a special way to prevent mold and bugs.
Semicircular windows, dark olive-colored walls, a large fireplace, massive upholstered furniture and palm trees, as evidence of past colonial conquests of the British. Much of the interior, like strange plants, appeared in the homes of the British thanks to the fearless sailors who brought it all from their long sea voyages.
Accommodation in one room upholstered furniture with different upholstery for some reason does not cause a feeling of disunity in the interior, but quite the opposite. There is something elusive and unifying in this environment.
A fireplace or stove, which needs to be heated with wood, will warm its owners in any frost. And how great it is to come after a slushy and cold street, light the fireplace and sit next to you, listen to the firewood crackle and feel the warmth flowing through the room.
Evenings by the lit fireplace in a narrow circle of family, what could be better?
Winter evenings will not seem tiresomely 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 dear to your heart.
The chimney is like a home decoration.
A 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 an English house is solid, but also other interior items. The British don't fill their house with cheap trinkets, and once they bring something into the house, it's permanent.
The secret of quality and quality English furniture is to use natural materials for its manufacture and the skill of furniture makers.
This 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 the pillows and curtains on the windows should match it.
All English furniture is reliable and high quality, serving several generations.
And this girl's bedroom is in soft blue with lots of colored pillows.
Here is a bedroom for adult family members. Every centimeter of space is used here. But everything is in its place, everything pleases the eye.
Once upon a time, the canopy over the bed was evidence of the greatness of its owner. Nowadays, romantic people place this addition to the bedroom interior over their beds.
Order in the house means order in your thoughts, success in work, a calm and measured life.
They carefully arrange not only the bedroom, but also the kitchen. This is a special place in the house where food is prepared, it is always cozy, 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 this way, because conservative Englishmen honor their traditions and maintain the connection between generations. wonderful self made furniture is passed down from grandmother to granddaughter.
English cuisine can be light colors with mandatory covers on chairs, with fabric curtains on glass cabinet doors, with lace curtains on windows.
IN English cuisine There is always a lot of dishes. English porcelain is renowned for its quality, both ancient and modern.
Dishes in England were always made not only of porcelain and earthenware, but also of 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 evenings with family are remembered forever and live in our childhood memories as the best.
To make your fairytale home not only cozy and comfortable on the inside, but also pleasing to the eye on 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 is 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 place brick house, decorated with a climbing trellis rose.
And in front of the house or on open terrace put this swing sofa 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, value nature and love trees and flowers, so they surround their homes with them.
Such a house should have a simple but comfortable interior.
All these houses have their own face, look closely and you will see it too.
Even from the photograph you can feel the warmth of human hands, with what love and businesslike everything was done. And poultry only adds color to this rural idyll.
“My home is my castle” - not only the British say so now. After all, all people in the world understand that their home is part of the happy existence of an entire family.
There is no need to copy the English way of life, their houses and interiors. We are different, but no one forbids us to adopt experience and learn from other peoples the quality of life, improve our culture of life, equip our home, relying 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 ability to well demonstrate the taste and character of its guests. Photos of English-style houses demonstrate the external roughness of unlined facades with low window openings and a bright red tiled roof.
The distinctive elements of the exterior of English apartments are:
- wall surfaces made of natural stone elements or bricks;
- lack of carved parts;
- asymmetry in the location of the exterior composition;
- presence of columns;
- narrow color palette;
- gable roof;
- The area 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 characteristics and features.
Tudor house style. Visually, such buildings resemble fairy-tale village houses. However, the appearance is a little rough.
The main architectural features of this type are:
- the presence of high pediments on the main façade;
- roof with a steep slope and uneven edges;
- large chimney and miniature dormer windows;
- the general outlines of the building are asymmetrical;
- the entrance has an arched design.
Georgian architectural style. For the modern English world of development, this direction is the most popular. Georgian buildings 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 various kinds decorations;
- the main facade of the building is decorated with five windows;
- the entrance door is located very low;
- low roof.
Victorian direction. Is different decorative cladding and contrasting color combinations.
Its features:
- asymmetrical arrangement;
- overall veranda area;
- decorative finishing of wall surfaces with stone or siding;
- ornamental and stucco elements.
The main feature of houses made in the English style is the construction of the building from red brick. Thanks to this material, which has a very reasonable cost, the life of the house increases.
Another advantage is high sound insulation qualities indoors.
An English apartment project 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 practically coincides with the ground plane. You won’t be able to find the usual basements and garages in the house, since the English style does not imply this.
Sometimes owners can equip a small cellar or storage room in their home. External facade they are not decorated or covered in any way, so it looks rather rough.
Window openings of 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 structure is very high. IN last years The roofs of English houses are made of straw or reeds.
A porch is attached to a house only if the building is located on a site with a slope. And here entrance doors and the windows are often framed by awnings.
The ivy climbing along the canopy brings special luxury to the design of an English-style house. It is customary to plant small gardens and create picturesque flower beds next to English residential buildings.
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 must be made light, since there is a lot of light in the room. window openings. Another room on the first level is a study.
The second floor is considered the sleeping area. There are three bedrooms in total, one of which has a bathroom and wardrobe.
Interior composition of the house
The main conditions for creating an English interior for a private home are comfort and coziness. The living room is arranged in such a way that it is comfortable for all guests and household members to be here.
Natural wood is chosen as finishing materials typical for working in the English style. The floor surfaces are covered with noble parquet covering.
The chosen direction is characterized by large spacious areas for the living room, however, with the help of design techniques and small rooms It is possible to create a project that is distinguished by its effectiveness and style.
A mandatory element characteristic of the English direction interior decoration is the fireplace. It acts as the center of the entire interior composition in the guest area.
You can cover the fireplace various materials in the form of marble, wood or lime panels. On the shelf above the fireplace it is customary to display clocks, bronze sculptures, flowerpots with flowers and snuff boxes with cigarette cases.
The English stylistic direction is perfect for decorating a private country residence.
Photos of English style houses
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 size of life 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 classic ones. At first glance, it may seem that massive stone houses in the English style with a wide facade do not look laconic, and the architectural elements do not combine with each other. 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 British mentality. Its design should take into account traditional features, restraint and some isolation. In addition, such houses are always reliable and durable. 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 the architecture was influenced primarily by the rainy and cool climate of England.
- Large windows of square or rectangular shape.
- High and sharp roof with red tiles and stone chimney pipe.
- Asymmetrical architecture.
- A large number of flowers, trees and bushes on the site.
Given the reserved nature of the British, most areas are fenced off from prying eyes. This is a mandatory feature of an English-style home.
Fence in rustic style creates a unique look and a complete picture of an English home. The most common option is hedge with climbing plants.
The house is always located separately from the garage and other outbuildings. It is customary to place all structures in the backyard in the middle of the site in order to hide it 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 façade is distinguished by the use of natural materials. Typically, such a building can be described as a stone structure with a wide facade, which, however, attracts attention with its clear lines and neatness. Usually, The house is plastered and made of red brick with classic masonry. Cladding, light plaster and any facade 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;
- uniform distribution of large windows;
- color palette of red or gray shades.
When building houses, the British give preference to natural materials - brick and stone. This material has long term service and is able to withstand temperature changes 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 changes in temperature and humidity;
- excellent sound insulation;
- reliability and durability;
- low cost.
Often for imitation brick facade clinker tiles or brick-like thermal panels are used. Wooden houses are built from rounded logs. Such houses speak of the impeccable taste and status of the owners. But you can often find houses with a combined facade made of wood and stone.
Roof
Due to complex roof configurations, the roof is given a high shape. The pointed roof of the English style is difficult to confuse with other architectural or design solution. Steep, with red or dark tiles– is considered a kind of business card.
Also popular roofing materials country house what remains is shale and straw. Such houses have their own special and unique style.
In the middle of the 17th century, roofs were covered with thatch or water reed; 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. The green ivy climbing along the canopy looks great here.
Window
The tall windows of the cottage are located very close to each other and have a strict shape of the same size - a square or rectangle. They are playing special role in the interior of the house and have two or three doors. They are located evenly around the entire perimeter of the building. In rare cases, and often as an exception, round or arched windows are found.
On the ground floor of the house in the living room there can be panoramic windows and bay windows. Windows must have additional wooden crossbars that divide the glass into separate squares.
Ideal option The Dutch system of sliding frames is considered, which involves vertically raising the lower part of the frame.
In the interior, the windows are covered with voluminous curtains, decorated with drapery, cords and a floor-length veil. This gives special elegance and sophistication to the room.
Number of floors
Traditionally, houses in England were built on a rectangular plan. 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, surrounded by 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. Basements are usually absent, but may be provided small cellar, in which the British prefer to store rarely used items 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. The large room has many large windows, so there is always a lot of air and light. 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 household members and is traditionally a bedroom. One of the rooms may have a bathroom and wardrobe.
Sometimes a 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. It is customary to hide non-residential areas under the roof utility room With large windows. The attic can be used for domestic purposes: for drying clothes or as a storage room.
Interior decoration
Choosing an interior is a very important and painstaking job. English interior It is considered one of the most complex stylistic trends. It is often equated to classic style and are associated with something majestic. The main palette in the decoration is all shades of red: soft burgundy, rich and dark red. And also gray, white and olive.
The English style is typical a large number of wood in the interior. Mahogany is ideal for interior decoration of a room. Expensive and elegant material perfectly complements the conservative style. And this applies not only to the floor, ceiling and baseboards, but also ceiling beams And wall panels in combination with wallpaper.
However, not all wallpapers are suitable for an English-style interior. Preference should be given to vertical patterns and clear geometric shapes, as well as floral motifs.
Floors
The floors, windows and doors of a private house are made of noble wood species: oak, walnut and mahogany. Natural parquet is ideal. To give a special shine and preserve the natural deep color, the boards are coated with varnish and wax. 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, must have wood covering. Wallpaper with a geometric pattern or dense floral patterns can be pasted on top. The joint closes wooden slats at the level of the back of the sofa. Light paint in combination with wooden slats is often used as wall decoration.
If the house is built of logs, then interior decoration hides the tree with plasterboard structures. Paintings, mirrors and photographs in large gilded frames can give a finished look to the wall design.
Ceilings
The entire 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 molding can be used as decoration.
Furniture
Furniture and any decorative elements V village house must be made from expensive natural materials and be of high quality.
Products and furniture made of plastic and artificial synthetic materials cannot be used in the English style. The main materials are wood, bronze and silver.
The main feature of any English home is presence of a real fireplace. In damp and chilly weather, it performs more than just an aesthetic function. The cladding is made of stone, wood, marble with an openwork forged fence. On the mantelpiece there are clocks, tall candles, porcelain sculptures and flowers. It is advisable to use antique items.
A sofa or armchairs with “ears” are placed opposite the fireplace and located in the center of the living room. A must-have attribute for a living room is classic. coffee table made from natural wood. All furniture should have clear, smooth lines and thin carved legs. You can complement the living room interior with a velvet footrest and a wrought-iron metal stand for fireplace accessories.
