CLASSIC GEORGIAN HOUSE

PERIOD STYLE INFLUENCE

The Georgian period style influenced almost all home decor styles that followed in interior design for many generations to come. It was a unique emerging collection of colours, materials and finishes that took inspiration from both French and Italian etiquette. Georgian homes are brimming with history, craftsmanship and fine architectural details.

If you have a Georgian home you may be wondering how to preserve its heritage? Or if you admire the Georgian home style, you may be want to best replicate this style in your home? At Saint and Noire, we have over a decade of experience redesigning our client’s luxurious Georgian homes - from mansions to townhouses and city apartments, and we can support you with reimagining the Georgian era.

The Georgian era historically held prominence from 1714-1837 and was largely impacted by the British Royal Family. The Buckingham Palace was created during this period and intended to “be spacious and comfortable, with grand proportions and a heightened sense of space and light” - all of these elements continue to represent the Georgian interior design concept to this day.

UPLIGHTING AND DOWNLIGHTING

To take advantage of the prominent architecture of Georgian homes, embrace plentiful light, by accommodating large open windows and using a wide variety of articulated mirrors to bounce light and create the illusion of a larger space. At the time of origin, electricity in Georgian homes did not exist. Beyond natural light, the period property era flaunted “uplighting”  - lanterns, candlesticks and candelabra to transition elegantly from day into the night. 

Often a Georgian home will be embedded with a traditional fireplace - an additional source of light and comfort. With the lighting in its element, the interior can shine from the inside but the outside must also work in synergy - the exterior lighting should be warm, welcoming and promotes a sense of balance.

In the modern age, lighting is fundamental for atmosphere and relaxation and celebrating the architecture of a Georgian building. “Downlighting” or statement ceiling lighting can be both traditional and contemporary and supporting wall or lamp lighting can be placed to highlight furniture and divide areas of the room or an open floor plan concept.

REAL REGAL FLOORS

Bare oak timber floorboards or marble stone floors were traditionally used to decorate the floors of luxurious Early Georgian homes. Later oriental rugs were introduced in the homes of the wealthy and fitted carpets post-Industrial Revolution. 

To reclaim the rustic style, opt for wooden flooring paired with traditional styled rugs in the living spaces and stone flooring in the kitchen and hallway and neutral-toned carpets for the flooring above ground level. 

Stone flooring works superbly in a pale tone with contrasting darker toned furniture and can be matched to the walls to streamline the colour palette and highlight architectural features such as staircases of a typical Georgian home.

If you are the recipient of vintage Georgian wooden floors, make sure to seek help from an expert to protect and maintain the floors original qualities.

HERITAGE COLOUR PALETTE

To add an element of grand regency, gold metallic paint for gliding or gold frames and furniture and accessory details will coordinate effortlessly in your Georgian renovation. The key is to perfectly blend the soft furnishings with the colour of the walls and floors and maintain fluidity. 

It is important to choose an authentic Victorian paint colour scheme to beautifully elevate your Georgian home and portray “Palladian” opulence. The modern interpretation should follow a simple and muted colour palette with soft and subtle tones and matt finishes - sage green, dusky pinks, soft greys, sky blue, beiges. 

Bold colours such as navy and teal however should not be dismissed entirely and can make for statement feature walls and furniture, for a quintessential British home. Many paint companies will often provide a “heritage” paint collection, with pre-selected colours to guide your decision making.

The Georgian period experimented with international influences and colours when it came to antique decorative elements such as prints - including Egyptian, Indo-Chinese and Greek, which proportioned well with plain coloured English furniture for a beautiful and layered bright home.

LUXURY SMART HOME

As with any pre-technology era, television was not present during the Georgian era, however, in the present day and in the future, technology is necessary for our home to function. In order to be consistent with the Georgian interior decor, and have a smart home, it is essential to seamlessly integrate the media, without sacrificing the style and blending modern requirements with classic and period features.

“Integrating any technology has to be complementary to the historical building and seamlessly merge with the client’s vision. Today smart devices applications can control the whole house from heating, light, security cameras, appliances, literally anything. It is like magic where - with voice-operated “Good morning” the blinds open automatically, the washing machine starts, the coffee machine turns on and the music starts playing through the house.” - Lenka Marsh, Founder of Saint & Noire

ANTIQUES AND AUTHENTICITY

You don’t need an expert eye to spot timeless and genuine Georgian furniture and antique styles - although it has evolved through the centuries, shaped by royal reign, from King George to Queen Anne, the unique trends of Neo-Classical, Rococo and Regency, still remain popular styles today.

If you do need some guidance in furnishing your home with Georgian inspired furniture and fabrics we recommend you take into consideration the materials, design and iconic “Hepplewhite” or “Chippendale” style. Choose materials that are real wood-based - Georgian furniture style is infamous for its use of Oak and Mahogany.

In entertaining spaces choose wooden sideboards and console tables, drinks cabinets, card tables and glass-fronted wooden bookcases. For bedrooms, Georgian style wooden four-poster beds and chaise lounges with wooden legs.