Anglophile home decor ideas: British style for American homes
Quick answer
Anglophile decor borrows the things that make British homes feel British: plaster ceiling medallions and cornices, William Morris prints, libraries of books, blue-and-white china, aged brass and old wood, classical pediments over doors, sconces in symmetrical pairs, and a relaxed mix of antiques and modern pieces [1][2]. Start with one architectural detail and one pattern.
Many Americans love British style, from Downton Abbey to the Cotswolds to London townhouses. The good news is that the look is not about Union Jacks or tea towels. It is about a handful of design ideas the British have refined over centuries.
1. Look up: the British ceiling
British houses from the Georgian period onwards had plaster cornices and ceiling roses (what Americans call medallions) in every principal room [1]. British plastering was a chartered craft from 1501 [4]. A real plaster medallion is the most British thing you can add to a room.
2. William Morris and Arts and Crafts
William Morris designed more than fifty wallpaper patterns and many textiles, and his designs are still printed today [2]. One Morris wallpaper or a pair of Morris curtains instantly says 'British'.
3. A library, however small
Books on shelves in the living room, on the stairs, by the bed: British homes are full of them. A wall of painted shelves is the easiest way to get the feel.
4. Blue and white on a dresser
A painted dresser with blue-and-white china is a British kitchen classic.
5. Brass, mahogany and oak
Unlacquered brass, dark mahogany and pale oak, all a little worn.
6. Symmetry and pairs
Georgian architecture prized symmetry: a pair of sconces either side of a fireplace, a pair of lamps, matching chairs [1][3].
7. The mix
The British country house look made famous by decorators such as John Fowler mixes old and new, grand and humble, without fuss [5].
Ten tips for English traditional style [6].
Video: Suzie Anderson Home, “How to Decorate in English Traditional Style | 10 Insider Interior Design Tips”, via YouTube.
Good to know
Common questions
How do I make my home look British?
Add a plaster medallion or cornice, a Morris or chintz pattern, books, brass and old wood, and symmetrical pairs.
What is English traditional decor?
Classical architecture, comfortable furniture, pattern, antiques and books, layered over time.
What is a ceiling rose?
The British name for a ceiling medallion.
Where can I buy British-made decor in the US?
Many British makers ship to the US; Flare ships hand-cast plaster with duties paid.
Sources
References and further reading
Harvard style. Web pages were checked on the access date shown.
- Calloway, S. and Cromley, E. (eds) (1996) The elements of style: a practical encyclopedia of interior architectural details from 1485 to the present. Rev. edn. London: Mitchell Beazley.
- Victoria and Albert Museum (n.d.) William Morris and the V&A. Available at: www.vam.ac.uk/articles/william-morris-and-the-va (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
- Cornforth, J. (1978) English interiors 1790-1848: the quest for comfort. London: Barrie & Jenkins.
- Worshipful Company of Plaisterers (n.d.) History. Available at: plaistererslivery.co.uk/about/history/ (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
- Wood, M. (2007) John Fowler: prince of decorators. London: Frances Lincoln.
- Suzie Anderson Home (n.d.) How to decorate in English traditional style: 10 insider interior design tips [Video]. YouTube. Available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhTPtRJlFO4 (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
How to cite this article
van Locke, J. (2026) ‘Anglophile home decor ideas: British style for American homes’, The Flare Journal. Flare Studio UK. Available at: https://flarestudio.uk/blogs/journal/anglophile-home-decor-ideas (Accessed: 15 November 2026).
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