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The American Colonial style took root in the early 1700s, and was a reflection of the dreams and aspirations of the early colonists—and of their growing affluence. This attractive style continued until the American Revolution, when its appeal subsided. It was revived in the 1880s, and since then its popularity has continued unabated.
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The early 1600s saw the beginning of a great tide of emigration from Europe to North America, with the first of the English colonists arriving in Jamestown, Virginia on May 14, 1607.
Often leaving their homeland to escape political or religious persecution, and with few possessions, the early colonists nevertheless did bring something with them—the architectural and decorating styles of their homelands.
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The Colonial style of the early- to mid-1700s was a blend of contemporary English influences—William and Mary (1689-1702), Queen Anne (1702-1714), Georgian (1714-1830) and the furniture maker Thomas Chippendale (1718-1779), intermingled with a new American vernacular.
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Notable architectural traits include a pitched roof, a centrally placed chimney and entryway, and evenly spaced, shuttered windows that sit directly beneath the roofline.
This classic Colonial look is almost an architectural expression of early American ideals: simple, with forthright lines, attractive but unaffected color, and minimal ornamentation, perhaps in the form of decorative trim or a weathervane.
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Both inside and out, the American Colonial style is more traditional and conservative, with less formality and ornamentation than the English and European styles of the same period.
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Multiple colors were often used when painting home interiors and exteriors. The paint hues selected tended to reflect the status and affluence of the household.
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Interiors - In the less affluent Colonial homes, earth-toned colors were most often chosen. White, creamy yellows, almonds, ochres, reddish and chocolate browns, beiges, taupes, and muted greens were common. The pigments and dyes came from native plants, soils, and minerals.
In affluent homes, color choices were broader. Because blue pigment was rare and therefore expensive, it was a color many people aspired to. It became one of the signature colors of the era.
Also common were various shades of green, ranging from clean pastel, sea and grass shades, to deep muted olives. Pinks were also popular—especially in bedrooms, dining rooms and parlors. Red was most often used as an accent color, notably inside cabinets and china hutches.
Shades of gray, black and deep brown were employed for wood trim and floorboards, and were common to nearly all homes.
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Revival Mahogany |
760B-7 |
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Windy Pine |
470D-7 |
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Roasted Pepper |
180D-7 |
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Wethersfield Moss |
460F-4 |
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Strawberry Rose |
160D-4 |
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Aspen Aura |
470F-4 |
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Pecan Sandie |
700C-3 |
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Topiary Tint |
440E-3 |
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Peach Bud |
240E-2 |
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Rejuvenate |
410E-3 |
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Vermont Cream |
W-B-400 |
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Pensive Sky |
710E-2 |
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Fossil Butte |
350F-6 |
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Seven Seas |
560D-6 |
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Gold Buff |
310D-4 |
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Distance |
540F-6 |
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Calm Air |
300E-2 |
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Blue Fox |
540E-3 |
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Oat Straw |
740C-3 |
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Anonymous |
780F-5 |
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Oklahoma Wheat |
350E-3 |
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Dark Ash |
770F-5 |
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Powder Sand |
340C-1 |
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Beluga |
770F-7 |
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Exteriors - White was the most common color used. For wealthier households, blues were the popular choice for home exteriors.
Beiges, grays, yellow ochres and creams were also used. Dark chocolate brown, reddish brown, and deep green were often seen as exterior accents for doors, trim and shutters.
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Mayan Red |
190F-7 |
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Mesa |
320F-5 |
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Spanish Raisin |
720B-7 |
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Warm Glow |
360D-4 |
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Chutney Brown |
210F-6 |
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Hampton Green |
450F-7 |
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Toffee Crunch |
700D-5 |
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Ocean Pearl |
780C-3 |
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Ashwood |
720D-4 |
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Billowy Down |
780E-1 |
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Lemon Pepper |
750D-6 |
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Heron |
530F-6 |
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Woven Basket |
340F-7 |
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Gray Area |
770F-4 |
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Shortgrass Prairie |
760D-5 |
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Beluga |
770F-7 |
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Color Detective Work - If you're restoring a historic Colonial home, information about the original paint colors or wallpaper may be right under your nose, on the building itself!
The paints and wallpapers which were first used may still be there, hidden under many layers of more recent decoration.
You may be able to cut down through the layers and retrieve samples out of corners, miters and the undersides of moldings, particularly on north elevations and other protected (i.e. non-sunny) locations. Look for thick drips and runs of paint in hard-to-reach areas, and also check areas covered up during later additions.
If you can, remove replaceable trim elements—sections of cornices or moldings, door hardware and panels, shutter louvers, a clapboard, stairway trim, even plaster from a wall or ceiling. The original colors may be under the layers of paint, or sometimes even on the backs.
If you're lucky, you'll discover the authentic, vibrant colors actually used by Colonial era painters!
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Computer Color Matching - You can match colors from small original paint chips (about 1"x 1") by using the free color scanner located in the ColorSmart kiosk at The Home Depot.
This will give you the closest possible matches to the colors from the BEHR Premium Plus® system.
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Colonial 18th century interior décor was simple, conservative and restrained, typified by elegant woods, graceful curves and colorful painted surfaces.
Furniture - Middle and lower class homes tended to use more American-crafted pieces. This comfortable, elegant furniture was often made out of walnut, maple or pine, in classic Queen Anne styling (with curving cabriole legs), or simple Windsor styling (saddle-shaped seats and spindle backs).
More affluent homeowners aspired to sophisticated European tastes. They imported rich Georgian wall paneling, elaborate Chippendale furnishings, finely woven Oriental rugs, luxury fabrics like silk damasks, and British and French-loomed brocades and tapestries, often at vast cost.
Fabrics - Wool was the staple fabric of the time, but cotton and linen became more prevalent towards the end of the 18th century. These fabrics were often hand-dyed and were used for curtains, table and bed covers, and handcrafted quilts.
Wealthier families sought out rich, imported fabrics patterned in paisleys, flowers and birds. Embroidery was a valued art, with designs ranging from simple leaves, flowers and vines, to complex samplers portraying landscapes, Bible verses or village scenes.
Floors and Fireplaces - Floors were generally simple, unpolished wide-plank oak or pine. Fireplaces, the center of the household and essential for light and warmth, were a decorative focal point. They were surrounded by wood paneling or cabinetry, either stained (if high quality), or painted to match the walls.
Accessories - Pewter and silver accessories were popular throughout the period, and grandfather clocks were a prized family possession.
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Multiple colors were often used when painting home interiors and exteriors. The paint hues selected tended to reflect the status and affluence of the household.
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Collections.
Look for pewter accessories, such as candlesticks, pitchers, vases, mugs, and other items.
Tip: Group pewter pieces along with heirloom china or glassware in a simple cabinet or hutch, or on a high shelf surrounding the room.
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Quilts.
Handmade traditional quilts are an icon of Early American craftsmanship.
Tip: A wall-hung antique quilt will add great presence to any room. You can also use small remnants of a larger quilt as cushion covers.
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Portraits.
Straightforward family portraits in oils were an important part of the Colonial home.
Tip: For a traditional look, frame oil portraits with a simple frame constructed of wooden molding. Finish the molding with a coat of flat black paint.
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Lighting.
Candlesticks and wall sconces made of silver or pewter were essential for light in Colonial homes.
Tip: Use simple white beeswax candles (preferably tapered) to create a period look.
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Try the ColorSmart™ by BEHR interactive program to experiment with thousands of different color combinations and see how they look in actual room settings.
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