European Exotic in a Standard Living Room: Professional Idea

An interior in the colonial style is pure eclecticism. It's important to maintain a balance so as not to fall into kitsch. We try to find that delicate boundary using the designer's advice, and head off to inspiration at the Hoff furniture hypermarket.

Anna Baraldi is a design expert, decorator, and 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 with them not only new languages and laws for the aborigines, but also familiar lifestyles 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 classicism.

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

Combining it with minimalist lines and materials such as white plastic or glossy MDF surfaces 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 their homeland Europe.

They missed cozy armchairs by the fireplace, strict proportions, and familiar shapes. That's why in the colonial style, items from bygone times are always present.

The mixture of European classicism and exoticism is also visible in the materials. The finishing usually uses rattan, rubber, or teak wood, as well as ceramics, bronze, or stone. For example, this could be a classical wooden furniture piece, but decorated with ethnic carving.

Today, the colonial style in interior design is a blend of boldness, uniqueness, and eclecticism.

Implementation

Furniture

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

Items of furniture that live alongside a vibrant sofa should, conversely, be minimalist. This can be a table or sideboard. Preference should be given to simple geometric forms without excesses. Such furniture should provide comfort and ergonomics.

Furniture accessories are better chosen with an ethnic undertone. An Eastern chest, a round mirror in the shape of the sun, and other trophy items from distant travels will subtly create the right atmosphere.

Corner Sofa-Bed "Doit", 29,999 rubles, Hoff
Sofa-Bed "Siesta", 33,999 rubles, Hoff
Console Table Linate, 8,399 rubles, Hoff
Oriental Chest "Eastern", 6,499 rubles, Hoff
Mirror in Frame M801, 699 rubles, Hoff
Armchair "Ludwig", 9,999 rubles, Hoff

Rug

A rug is another way to add colonial flair to the interior. Usually, this involved rugs and woven sheepskin underlays. The rug doesn't have to be bright. What matters is the pattern. 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

Lighting fixtures can also have simple forms but reflect all the shine of colonial riches. This can be a minimalist lampshade, but on a decorated with pagan figures stem, or a chandelier made of glass geometric pendants with bronze tones.

Special attention in the colonial interior has always been given to candles. Today, it's easy to find a chandelier or wall sconce that imitates such lighting.

Table Lamp Emma, 999 rubles, Hoff
Wall Sconce 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

Textiles and Decor

With textiles, you should definitely play around, but carefully. The key is not to overdo it. Complex shades of blue and green — cobalt blue, emerald, turquoise, malachite — will balance the palette of milk, gray, and beige colors. In addition to ethnic ornaments, use fabrics with animal skin prints.

For wall decoration, it's appropriate to use reproductions of paintings with images of 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 decor with simple modern forms.

Reproduction "In Bloom" in Frame, 5,999 rubles, Hoff
Reproduction "Magnificent Elephant" in Frame, 3,999 rubles, Hoff
Picture in 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 back to their homeland from their travels. Exotic decorative plants also thrived in the interior, 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, you can use large cacti and succulents. They are less demanding but no less impressive. Planters should be chosen accordingly: wrapped in rattan or painted 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 blue-toned corner sofa. 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.

For the ethnic atmosphere of the interior, there is an aged rug with a Marrakech-style pattern, an eastern chest, a round mirror in the shape of the sun, decorative eastern pillows, and a panel with an elephant.

We will complete the interior with a painting featuring exotic flowers on a golden background with patina, eastern 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.