European Exotic in a Standard Living Room: Professional Idea

The interior in the colonial style is pure eclecticism. It's important to maintain a balance here so as not to fall into kitsch. We try to find this fine line using the designer's advice, and head off for inspiration to the Hoff furniture hypermarket.

Anna Baraldi — expert designer, decorator, founder of the children's textile line Baraldi Kids

Basics of the Style

The colonial style emerged in medieval Europe when the world was ruled by the four great powers: England, Spain, Portugal and America, and their colonies were present on every continent.

The conquerors brought not only new languages and laws for the aborigines, but also familiar ways of life and interiors that gradually adapted to tropical conditions. That's why the colonial style is so eclectic and traditional: it loves ethnicity and exoticism, but only in the company of well-tested classic elements.

It's important to emphasize the exotic color in a colonial interior. Its basis is a special love for nature and individual creativity. This is confirmed by a rich color palette and an abundance of various ornaments. Each shade means something: turquoise — the color of the sea, beige — sand, emerald — tropical forest.

Its combination with minimalist lines and materials such as white plastic or glossy surfaces from HDF makes such an interior modern.

When creating such interiors, it's important not to get carried away with exoticism. The first colonists were amazed by what they saw on the new lands, but their journey lasted so long that they began to miss familiar Europe.

They missed sitting in comfortable armchairs by the fireplace, strict proportions and forms familiar to the eye. That's why in the colonial style, items of antique are necessarily present.

The blend of European classicism and exoticism can be traced in materials too. Usually, rattan, rubber or teak wood is used for finishing, as well as ceramics, bronze or stone. For example, this can be classical furniture in shape made of wood but decorated with ethnic carving.

Today, the colonial style in interior design is a combination of boldness, individuality and eclecticism.

Implementation

Furniture

The central element in a living room interior is the sofa. You can draw attention to it with an active color. For example, in Hoff there is a rich palette of blue-green shades: from dusty blue to deep emerald.

Items of furniture that live next to a bright sofa should be minimalist in contrast. This can be a table or buffet. Preference should be given to simple geometric forms without excesses. Such furniture should ensure comfort and ergonomics.

Furniture accessories are best chosen with an ethnic undertone. An eastern chest, a circular mirror in the shape of the sun and other trophy items from a distant journey will unobtrusively create the right atmosphere.

Corner sofa-bed 'Delait', 29,999 rubles, Hoff

Sofa-bed 'Siesta', 33,999 rubles, Hoff

Console table Linate, 8,399 rubles, Hoff

Chest 'Oriental', 6,499 rubles, Hoff

Frame mirror M801, 699 rubles, Hoff

Armchair 'Ludwig', 9,999 rubles, Hoff

Rug

The rug is another way to add colonial color to the interior. Usually, rugs and woven sheepskin underlays were used for this. The rug doesn't have to be bright. What matters is the pattern on it. This can be a simple meander or an aged design like Marrakech.

Rug 'Erin', 5,199 rubles, Hoff

Rug Inko, 5,999 rubles, Hoff

Rug Eko, 1,999 rubles, Hoff

Lighting

Light fixtures can also have simple forms but reflect all the shine of colonial riches. This can be a minimalist lampshade, but with a decorated base featuring mythological figures, or a chandelier made of glass geometric pendants with a bronze tone.

Candles always occupied a special place in the colonial interior. Today, it's easy to find a chandelier or wall sconce that imitates such lighting.

Table lamp Emma, 999 rubles, Hoff

Standing lamp Maja, 11,999 rubles, Hoff

Table lamp Selection, 12,599 rubles, Hoff

Decorative figure 'Elephant', 499 rubles, Hoff

Artificial plant 'Hydrangea', 899 rubles, Hoff

Vase HZ1908180, 899 rubles, Hoff

Textile and Decoration

It's worth playing with textiles, but carefully. The main thing is not to overdo it. Complex shades of blue and green — cobalt blue, emerald, turquoise, malachite — will balance the palette of milky, gray, beige colors. In addition to ethnic ornaments, use fabrics with animal skin patterns.

For wall decoration, it is appropriate to use reproductions of paintings depicting exotic vegetation and animals. These can also be found in Hoff. Pay special attention to framing. It should be minimalist but eye-catching, for example, a frame with a golden patina. Don't be afraid to combine ethnic motifs in decoration with simple modern forms.

Reproduction 'In Bloom' in a frame, 5,999 rubles, Hoff

Reproduction 'Noble Elephant' in a frame, 3,999 rubles, Hoff

Painting in a frame, series 3D, 4,999 rubles, Hoff

Decorative pillow Vimperg, 1,299 rubles, Hoff

Decorative pillow, 1,399 rubles, Hoff

Decorative pillow 'Orient', 599 rubles, Hoff

Vegetation

The first colonists brought not only tomatoes, potatoes and tobacco from their travels back to the homeland. Exotic decorative plants also took root in interiors, reminding of humid tropical forests. If the microclimate of the apartment allows growing palms, vines and other lush greenery, they will harmoniously complement the colonial interior.

As an alternative, one can use large cacti and succulents. They are less demanding but no less impressive. Planters should be chosen accordingly: wrapped in rattan or decorated with ethnic patterns.

Set of artificial plants 'Succulent', 799 rubles, Hoff

Vase KL1625, 2,999 rubles, Hoff

Artificial plant 'Fern in Pot', 399 rubles, Hoff

Creating a Mood Board from Hoff Products

As an interior accent, we'll take a corner sofa in a saturated blue color. A natural complement to it will be an ensemble of a beige armchair with a high back, a minimalist console table with a niche and a spacious white cabinet with a mirror door.

The ethnic atmosphere of the interior is provided by an aged rug with a design like Marrakech, an eastern chest, a circular mirror in the shape of the sun, decorative oriental pillows and a panel with an elephant.

We'll also enhance the interior with a painting depicting exotic flowers on a golden background with patina, oriental vases and silk curtains.

And we don't forget about lighting — in our case, these are minimalist glass pendants in gray, beige and cobalt blue tones.