Are you a fan of Bridgerton? Set during the Regency period (1810–1820), the series has been a record-breaking TV success, with all three seasons attracting hundreds of millions of views worldwide. Season 4 lands on 29 January – will you be watching?

We love Bridgerton not just for the drama and romance, but for its distinctive Regency interiors, which continue to inspire homes today.

Image credit: Netflix
(Image supplied by the Netflix Press Office)

The Regency Look: Romance and Refinement

The Regency period was rich in romance and spectacle – a world of grand balls, duels, intrigue and extravagance. Interiors embraced elegance and artistry, with features such as:

• Gracefully carved furniture
• Soft pastel colour palettes
• Gilded mirrors and frames
• Chinoiserie patterns
• Crystal chandeliers
• Silk cushions, fine china and silverware

You don’t need a grand townhouse like the Bridgertons or the Featheringtons to capture the look. With a little imagination – and a little help from Annie Sloan paints – you can recreate Regency charm in any home.

Soft Wall Colours

Soft pastels such as pale blue, yellow, rose and ivory were hugely popular during the Regency era.

Pemberley Blue Wall Paint is a perfect choice for this look. Named after Mr Darcy’s fictional estate in Pride and Prejudice – another much-loved Regency drama – it reflects the early 19th-century popularity of blue in grand estate homes. This gentle, slightly green-tinted blue also matches a mix of Chalk Paint™ in Duck Egg Blue and Old White.

Detailed Wall Coverings

Advances in printing techniques meant wallpapers and fabric wall coverings flourished during Regency times. Scenic murals, florals and bird motifs are key to the look, often framed with gilt-effect moulding to create wall art.

Influenced by expeditions to the Orient, Chinoiserie became particularly fashionable. Annie Sloan’s Countryside Bird Stencil offers a beautiful way to introduce this timeless style.

Please note: the Chinoiserie stencil shown is no longer available on our website, but it may still be available through one of our stockists.

Find out how to stencil here

You can also create a damask-inspired effect by layering, stencilling and gently distressing paint. Try contrasting shades such as Old Ochre and Paris Grey, enhanced with Dark Chalk Paint Wax for depth. For added glamour, apply Traditional Gold Metallic Paint over a deep base like Oxford Navy.

Writing Bureaus

Letter writing was an essential daily ritual in Regency life, making writing bureaus both practical and decorative. These pieces suit modern and traditional interiors alike and are ideal for upcycling.

Here, Jonathon Marc-Mendes used Chalk Paint in Aubusson Blue and Paris Grey, finished with a soft colour wash of Old White to gently age the piece.

@jonathonmarcmendes_paintedlove

Elegant Chairs

Regency chairs were refined and graceful. In The Colourist Issue 10, we used a simple two-colour distressing technique to transform an unloved flea-market find into an elegant feature piece. The fabric was slightly torn – and rather than reupholstering, we embraced its character for an authentic, lived-in look.

Click here to see how we created this two colour distressed chair

Gilded Mirrors

Light was a vital element in Regency interiors. Mirrors were often positioned opposite windows to reflect daylight and views of the garden beyond.

Antique mirrors are easy to source from flea markets and antique shops. To give them a Regency feel, paint the frame with Chalk Paint and add highlights using Metal Leaf in Imitation Gold as Annie demonstrates in this project.

View the project here

Curved Sofas

Hand-carved furniture, antique gilding and luxurious damask silks were hallmarks of Regency bedrooms and entrance halls.

Reproduction French canapé sofas – like the one Annie painted in Annie Sloan’s Colourful Living – can often be found at auctions or sales at reasonable prices (though they may need reupholstering). Their carved frames, from shell motifs to delicate florals, look stunning when gilded using Metal Leaf in Imitation Gold.

Pretty Bedside Tables

Regency bedside tables were often elegant and delicate, with curved legs and refined proportions. Look for similar pieces and give them new life with Chalk Paint.

This bedside table was painted in Pure, with details picked out in a mix of Olive and Pure.

Metallic Chandeliers & Wall Sconces

Every Regency drawing room glowed by candlelight from crystal chandeliers and wall sconces.

Update old or dated lighting by painting with Chalk Paint shades such as Aubusson Blue or Graphite, then aging with Dark Wax, or choose Traditional Gold Metallic Paint for a more luxurious finish.

You’ll find plenty of lighting inspiration in Annie Sloan’s Room Recipes for Style and Colour.

A Touch of Regency Romance

We hope these ideas inspire you to add a little Regency romance – and a hint of Bridgerton magic – to your own home