Design trends come and go, but some evolve into entirely new styles. Enter Colonial Chic a fresh interpretation of classic colonial architecture and decor, infused with timeless elegance and modern sensibility. While the modern farmhouse aesthetic has dominated homes over the last decade, Colonial Chic offers a more sophisticated take, drawing on rich textures, natural materials, and historical influences – queue Romabio’s beautifully designed collection of mineral paints, limewashes, and authentic Italian plasters.
But first, let’s explore Colonial Chic’s hallmarks, how it compares to modern farmhouse design, and how elements like Italian plasters and limewashed surfaces bring this trend to life.
The Origins of Colonial Chic
The term “Colonial Chic” gained traction in 2024, as a design trend blending traditional colonial elements with contemporary aesthetics. While it’s challenging to attribute the phrase to a single designer, its rise reflects a broader movement toward integrating classic styles and historic textures with modern sensibilities. A significant increase in interest in styles like “modern colonial” and “American colonial” was highlighted in Google’s 2024 Year in Search, signaling a resurgence in traditional decor.
Designers and design publications have both embraced this evolution. Architectural Digest, for instance, highlighted Colonial Chic as one of the top design styles of 2024, describing it as a fusion of timeless elegance and curated modern updates. This is because, as Alan Clark of Alan Clark Architects out of Atlanta, GA put it:
Colonial homes are classics in that they don’t really go out of style. The elements have been used for so long that you can feel safe in knowing you won’t be staring at a house that was so clearly made in a bad architecture period.
Colonial Chic vs. Modern Farmhouse: A Comparison
Modern Farmhouse:
Modern Farmhouse is characterized by a casual, lived-in aesthetic. Think shiplap walls, barn doors, and a palette of whites, greys, and blacks punctuated with rustic wood accents. It’s a style that celebrates simplicity, comfort, and a connection to rural life, and ignited the limewashed brick craze across the country.
Colonial Chic:
Colonial Chic takes cues from historic colonial architecture, blending classical elements with a polished, modern twist. This style leans into more traditional craftsmanship, intricate details, and sophisticated finishes including flat and low lustre paints. Additional design elements also include:
- Natural Materials: Limewashed brick, wood beams, and hand-troweled Italian plasters.
- Muted, Earthy Palettes: Warm beiges, soft greys, and rich earth tones.
- Elegant Details: Wainscoting, crown molding, and antique-inspired hardware.
- Global Influences: A nod to European styles with Italian plaster and old-world decor.
- Layered Textures: Soft linen fabrics, aged metals, and layered rugs add depth.
Where Modern Farmhouse leans rustic and relaxed, Colonial Chic is refined and curated, offering a sense of timelessness without feeling overly formal.
The Role of Italian Plasters and Limewashed Surfaces
Two standout materials in the Colonial Chic trend are Italian plasters and limewashed brick and walls. These finishes bring depth, texture, and a sense of history to a space.
Italian Plasters: Hand-applied Venetian and Marmorino plasters create a beautifully textured surface, exuding elegance and old-world charm. These finishes can be used on walls, fireplaces, or even ceilings to add richness and depth to any room.
Limewashed Brick and Walls: Limewashes offer a natural, matte finish that softens brick and walls, giving them a timeless and weathered look. Its eco-friendly composition and breathable qualities make it a perfect fit for homes seeking authenticity.
These materials emphasize the artisanal, handmade quality that’s key to the Colonial Chic aesthetic, grounding spaces in both tradition and beauty
Romabio’s mineral-based, authentic European limewashes and plasters provide an effortless way to achieve the Colonial Chic look. Our organic and customizable finishes allow homeowners to create traditional, textured surfaces that convey elegance and charm.
Whether limewashing a brick fireplace or applying plaster to walls, Romabio’s Italian-crafted paints and finishes make it easy to add depth and timeless appeal to any space while staying true to the style’s artisanal roots.
Colonial Chic is more than just a design trend—it’s a way to honor timeless craftsmanship while embracing modern living. It celebrates natural materials, global influences, and the art of creating a home with character and warmth.
The best part? You don’t have to live in a Colonial style home to embrace this design trend – which is as timeless as it is flexible and easy to achieve.
Diving deeper into Colonial Chic helps familiarize yourself with Colonial architecture’s origins in the United States. Here is a great article by Architectural Digest that provides all the context you need: Everything you need to know about Colonial Architecture
