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London Calling: The British Invasion into Home Decor

Largely thanks to last year’s Royal Wedding and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the impending London-based summer Olympics, we’ve seen a surge of Britannia in home décor. From crowns to the iconic Union Jack, designers and anglophiles alike are jumping on the (double-decker) bandwagon. Long Live the Queen The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II is the international celebration through the entire year, marking the 60th anniversary of her reign. Queen Victoria is the only other monarch in the histories of the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia to have celebrated their diamond. We’ve been inspired across the pond and are infusing the Queen and her crown into our homes.

Queen clock by Naked Decor Keep Calm and Carry On print from Etsy Crowns and Coronets wallpaper by Graham & Brown Lisa Bengtsson Dog tea towel by Rocket St George Victoria pillow by BlissLiving Home Victoria Mint linens by Blissliving Home

Jack is Back Here’s your history lesson for the day: In the early 1700s, the flag was called “The Union,” and Navy ships flew it from a jackstaff, therefore dubbing the name “Union Jack.” The design is an infusion of Great Britain’s properties’ flags – England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Today it’s seen as both a nod to style and patriotism. UK-based HALO has been making large pieces of handcrafted furniture with nods to the motherland since 1976, from sofas to trunk to footstools. Always a favorite at High Point market, the to-the-trade company is a great go-to for a bold design on traditional silhouettes. For another stately (and statement-making) piece, Smeg offers a 50’s retro-style refrigerator with an all-over union design. If your style is more wild child than royal princess, look no further than Jimmie Martin who designs in-your-face funky furniture for the décor daring.

It’s hard to go wrong with an international icon at your feet. Vivienne Westwood created a watercolor-like rug, exclusively for The Rug Company and Jonathan Adler combined the British invasion trend with another – the animal print trend – in his cheeky rendition. Want something a little more subtle? Try Z Gallerie’s neutral tones version. Of course, smaller accessories still make a jolly good statement. BlissLiving Home’s Union Jack pillow is daintier than many versions, featuring a shabby chic floral motif on the St. George’s Cross portion, while Jonathan Adler’s modern coasters add pops of color. Planning a trip to this destination of inspiration? Check out our extensive antiques market Shopping Guide that will help you weave your way along the cobblestone streets of Portobello Road to Brick Lane.

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Like everything…”neutral” is relative

Neutral is only neutral in relationship to the rest of the space. Whether it’s a color, pattern or style, everything is affected by what is surrounding it