The invitations have gone out, dress design is underway (though despite speculation, we still don’t know by whom), and a honeymoon to Canada is booked. As the royal wedding details fall into place, feverish anticipation for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s big day is spreading across the pond and enrapturing even the most unlikely anglophiles — not just British expats and now-grown women who had crushes on William in their teens. Everyone seems to be caught up in the excitement, and that frenzy is translating into trends in fashion, food (fish and chips, anyone?) and especially home decor.
From left, Union Jack decorative pillow from Jan Constantine, cup-and-saucer candles from Labour of Love boutique and a punk-inspired art piece by artist Daniel Bombardier at Design Republic
Characterized by patterned wallpaper, upholstered furniture and an eclectic blend of traditional and modern elements, the more playful British style is beginning to replace the ultra-modern, cool, clean-lined aesthetic that has dominated North American interior decorating for the past several years.
“People are really craving texture,” explains Dana Solomon, principal designer at Sterling Solomon Design in Toronto. It makes sense then that we’d look to a nation with a rich, layered history for our design inspiration.
Appropriately, English icons like the Union Jack, Big Ben, double-decker buses and classic red telephone booths are more popular than ever as design motifs, showing up on bedding, furniture, wall art and accessories like rugs and cushions.
While incorporating these on-trend items will add a touch of cheeky charm to your home, be careful not to go monarchy mad — or your living room might end up looking like the set design for an Austin Powers movie.
Solomon recommends taking a more restrained approach by incorporating a few carefully chosen pieces. “You don’t want too many items competing in one space. If you buy a Union Jack emblazoned piece, let it make the statement and keep the rest of the room subtle.”
She suggests anchoring the bright blue and red of the British flag against soft greys and taupes — colours that evoke Britain’s notoriously rainy weather. Keep more expensive, big-ticket items, like sofas, in this pale palette so that, if the trend fades or you become tired of it, you can easily switch it up.
“Throw blankets, pillows and wall decals are all things that you can get fairly inexpensively and they’re easy to put away — and to bring back out when the trend swings around again.” Maybe we’ll see a resurgence when Harry ties the knot! Taking Solomon’s advice, we scoured the city and cyberspace for the best British accessories to give our homes that distinctive English allure. Here are our favourites:
Patriotic pillows
Hand-embroidered with British bulldogs, quintessential black cabs and declarations such as “I love London,” Jan Constantine’s bold decorative pillows have become sought-after collector’s items in the U.K. Her newest collection — which celebrates the royal wedding with a heart-shaped Union Jack motif bearing the names of the betrothed — is flying off the shelves at Harrods and Liberty of London. Lucky for us Canucks, these chic cushions can also be ordered online and shipped overseas from janconstantine.com.
Spot of tea
Few things evoke essential Englishness more aptly than a cup of tea. Montreal-based bath and beauty brand Château Gateau is putting a playful twist on the tradition by using antique cup-and-saucer sets as casings for handmade citrus and vanilla soy candles. Available in Toronto at Cabbagetown’s Labour of Love boutique (242 Carlton Street, 416-923-8988, www.thelabouroflove.ca), these candles look pretty lined up on a kitchen window sill or grouped with a decorative vase and other objets on a side table or mantle. They also make the perfect host gift for your anglophile friend throwing a wedding-watching party on the 29th.
Fly the flag
Spray-painted and paint-splashed, this Union Jack artwork is part patriotic, part punk—evoking not just the current Brit-mania, but also England’s unrivalled record of turning out the world’s best rock music. Hit the right note by hanging this plywood painting over an understated sofa or above a bed frame for an alternative to a headboard. An original piece by artist Daniel Bombardier, it’s exclusively available at DesignRepublic (639 Queen St. W., 416-603-0007, mydesignrepublic.com).
Your own throne
If your penchant for all things British isn’t just a fleeting fancy, consider investing in this statement-making sofa from UpCountry (310 King St. E., 416-366-7477, upcountry.com). A perfect example of the English juxtaposition of old and new, the plush button-tufted sofa is a traditional style made modern with bold, bright upholstery. Remember Dana Solomon’s advice and let this piece be the focal point of your living room by keeping other elements subtle and sophisticated — like the Royal Wedding itself, this couch commands attention!
Time traveller
Transport yourself to 19th-century Paddington Station with a vintage-inspired London Rail clock from Restoration Hardware (2434 Yonge St. and other locations, 416-223-2055, restorationhardware.com). Its metal frame and antique finish will look great in most rooms: display it over a mantle or as an eye-catching accent in a hallway or stairwell. This practical piece’s timeless (pardon the pun) aesthetic will transition easily into room redesigns down the road, and in the meantime, it’s the perfect accessory for counting down to the big day.
Wallflowers
A less literal approach to the trend is to incorporate a traditional English design element, like floral-patterned wallpaper. This modern peony print from Dorset’s Farrow & Ball comes in 20 different colours (our favourite is a beautiful cornflower blue that evokes Ms. Middleton’s stunning sapphire engagement ring!) and is handmade using the renowned heritage brand’s environmentally friendly water-based paints. Available at Farrow & Ball’s showroom in Rosedale (1054 Yonge St., 416-920-0200, farrow-ball.com).