On yesterday’s first episode of my new HGTV show Splurge & Save I took an outdated dining room and gave it the British Colonial flair that the homeowners were craving. I splurged a little and save a lot! As promised, below is the Room Recipe for this new space:

INGREDIENTS:
- Dining table crafted from antique door and turned legs stained ebony
- Black sideboard with red panel doors and brass hardware (I re-purposed an old one)
- Asian flair red drapery
- Zebra area rug
- 4 Butter cream Parsons Chairs
- 2 Asian flair bamboo red arm chairs
- Beige/Vanilla paint for alternating wall stripe
- Map, bird and travel artwork
- Large black and brass framed mirror (same width or a few inches smaller than sideboard width)
- Large red rose centerpiece
- Traditional crystal chandelier

BEFORE

AFTER

SOURCES:
Ballard Designs Parsons Chairs in Pomeroy Gold

West Elm Zebra Rug
Great Windows drapery in Feng Shui Red
Home Decorators Narrow Display Ledge in black
Benjamin Moore Paints in Treasure Trove & Hay Stack

DIRECTIONS:
Keep in mind, a British Colonial style should have Military Red accents – it wasn’t a pleasant time for some parts of the world because it meant occupation. Thankfully, British rule was not a dictatorship. Around the time that Britain was colonizing the United States (and the planet, for the matter), taking home mementos from travels for home display was very chic. The style is eclectic for that reason, and it mixes a traditional English flair with ethnic inspiration commonly from Asia and Africa.

Have fun designing British Colonial style!

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Author: Krista Watterworth

Krista Watterworth considers herself a true multi-tasker: mom, author, television personality, and interior designer. Krista starred in four seasons of HGTV's Save My Bath as host-designer and her new HGTV show called Splurge & Save airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30pm EST. She has quickly gained celebrity for branding her unique aesthetic. "I like to find out your intimate secrets, and then create an entirely personal world around that."

Krista Watterworth has written 194 articles for us.