Design ideas from American houses

Though our homes may be on British soil, there is plenty of interior inspiration we can glean from American houses. Across the pond you'll find old world grandeur and decadent homes with interior columns and mezzanine balconies, dramatic yet cosy cabin homes with painted floors and shiplap walls, and airy homes in the Hamptons that incorporate a more coastal look. 

Ralph Lauren's Colorado ranch is suffused with colourful Americana flair, with American flags and native American blankets, throws, rugs and decorations, while in Aerin Lauder's Hamptons house (inherited from her grandmother Estée Lauder) you'll find the classic blue shutters and white picket fence aesthetic, and interiors peppered with blue and white chinoiserie.

In her piece about decorating with US style, Rita Konig writes: “The six years that I spent living in New York has definitely changed the way that I decorate. The most obvious influence was the brightness; I find that, as a general rule, rooms in the States are lighter, brighter and also less cluttered. They are not as big on curtains as we are, and I love the way that Americans paint their floorboards. White floorboards bounce the light around and give a room that pretty glow I always associate with East Coast style.”

If we had to choose just one design idea, it would be the creation of rooms outside. Porches, verandas, and generous wrap-around balconies are clever ways of adding more space to a home, and creating calm and inviting areas from which to take in the views. Often these spaces are decorated just as though they were inside – complete with rugs, floor lamps and comfortable seating. We can't think of a better spot from which to watch the world go by – iced tea in hand.

In our gallery below you'll find rooms by American designers Markham Roberts, Billy Cotton, Chauncey Boothby, Robert Couturier, Victoria Sass, Steven Gambrel, Mark Ashby Design to name but a few.