Decorating
9 Ways the Bloomsbury Group's Style Can Influence Your Interiors
Bring some bohemian character into your home by channelling the style of the celebrated artistic set
A new exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London showcases the work of Bloomsbury Group artist Vanessa Bell, but it’s not just her paintings that are worth checking out. The Bloomsbury circle’s eclectic interior style was a radical break from traditional Victorian and Edwardian décor, and the key elements are still inspiring us today. Use a mix of influences, painted furniture and wall murals to create your own version of this bohemian look.
Incorporate design everywhere
Bell, Fry and Grant designed their interiors to express their creativity, using the rooms like an artist’s canvas. The owners of this home have even used the stairs to showcase art. The repetition of design and use of a muted colour scheme ensure the painted risers don’t overwhelm the space.
Bell, Fry and Grant designed their interiors to express their creativity, using the rooms like an artist’s canvas. The owners of this home have even used the stairs to showcase art. The repetition of design and use of a muted colour scheme ensure the painted risers don’t overwhelm the space.
Paint your furniture
A great way to update a room is to paint the furniture in it. The Bloomsbury set loved doing just this, and upcycled most of their items by painting them. This soft grey interior has been given a stunning lift by the vibrant lemon chair.
For more ideas, check out these 9 easy furniture hacks
A great way to update a room is to paint the furniture in it. The Bloomsbury set loved doing just this, and upcycled most of their items by painting them. This soft grey interior has been given a stunning lift by the vibrant lemon chair.
For more ideas, check out these 9 easy furniture hacks
Add a flourish
Furniture wasn’t just painted one colour of course, much of it was decorated with beautiful motifs and patterns. The distressed dressing table here contrasts beautifully with the pastel-painted chair.
Furniture wasn’t just painted one colour of course, much of it was decorated with beautiful motifs and patterns. The distressed dressing table here contrasts beautifully with the pastel-painted chair.
Lay some rugs
Floors at Charleston House were strewn with ethnic-style rugs. Often these would sit at the base of a chintz curtain and a patterned wallpaper, the styles mixing and melding into one. The rug here is a warm foil to the soft blue cabinets and floral blind.
The group’s design studio, Omega Workshop, also produced rugs and textiles with more modern abstract designs, influenced by Cubist, Fauvist and post-impressionist artwork.
Discover how to choose the right rug for your space
Floors at Charleston House were strewn with ethnic-style rugs. Often these would sit at the base of a chintz curtain and a patterned wallpaper, the styles mixing and melding into one. The rug here is a warm foil to the soft blue cabinets and floral blind.
The group’s design studio, Omega Workshop, also produced rugs and textiles with more modern abstract designs, influenced by Cubist, Fauvist and post-impressionist artwork.
Discover how to choose the right rug for your space
Display what you love
This unconventional group of artists had an eclectic set of influences. Cubist design would sit next to Italian frescoes, while neo-classical pieces would rest against English Arts & Crafts designs. Take inspiration in your own home by mixing styles and displaying things you find beautiful.
This unconventional group of artists had an eclectic set of influences. Cubist design would sit next to Italian frescoes, while neo-classical pieces would rest against English Arts & Crafts designs. Take inspiration in your own home by mixing styles and displaying things you find beautiful.
Curate your collections
Every inch of space at Charleston House was filled with art, ceramics and interesting objects. The wall in this living room has been turned into a gallery of botanical paintings, while the shelves are packed with colour-grouped vases and intriguing jars.
Every inch of space at Charleston House was filled with art, ceramics and interesting objects. The wall in this living room has been turned into a gallery of botanical paintings, while the shelves are packed with colour-grouped vases and intriguing jars.
Have fun with colour
The bohemian look created by Vanessa Bell’s circle was all about colour and pattern. To give your home a similar feel, be exuberant with your palette. In this living room, a pale blue wall provides a relaxed background for the bright artwork and accessories. To add some cohesion, repeat a few colours throughout – here blues and greens pop up frequently, while bright red provides a bold accent.
The bohemian look created by Vanessa Bell’s circle was all about colour and pattern. To give your home a similar feel, be exuberant with your palette. In this living room, a pale blue wall provides a relaxed background for the bright artwork and accessories. To add some cohesion, repeat a few colours throughout – here blues and greens pop up frequently, while bright red provides a bold accent.
Be unconventional
For a modern take on the look, consider introducing unexpected elements. This room’s traditional fireplace and chairs are teamed with contemporary tiles, base units and lighting. The whole thing is livened up with a dining table painted in a surprising pink.
The exhibition, Vanessa Bell (1879-1961) can be seen at The Dulwich Picture Gallery until 4th June 2017.
What do you think of the Bloomsbury Group’s interior style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
For a modern take on the look, consider introducing unexpected elements. This room’s traditional fireplace and chairs are teamed with contemporary tiles, base units and lighting. The whole thing is livened up with a dining table painted in a surprising pink.
The exhibition, Vanessa Bell (1879-1961) can be seen at The Dulwich Picture Gallery until 4th June 2017.
What do you think of the Bloomsbury Group’s interior style? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The Bloomsbury Group’s interior style can be seen most distinctly in the rooms of Charleston House, a farmhouse they shared in Sussex. Vanessa Bell, with artists Duncan Grant and Roger Fry, wanted art to be democratic and thought that furniture, ceramics and textiles should be given as much attention as fine art. So they filled their home with beautiful things and painted every surface.
Inspired by Italian frescoes, the group painted murals on their walls. The colours in this bold home are from a modern palette, but the idea is the same. The simple painted flowers here help to break up the blocks of green and blue.