The English everywoman, Bridget Jones, has long captured the hearts of romcom aficionados everywhere. When we last saw Bridget, she was living in a charming apartment near Borough Market in South London. With this latest, more grown-up installment of her story, Mad About The Boy, Bridget has moved, and her new digs are a major upgrade.
In the new film, Bridget (played by Renée Zellweger) is based in a Victorian townhouse in the family-friendly area of Hampstead. It's a masterclass in eclectic interiors. From the yellow kitchen filled with cozy clutter, to the wallpaper throughout the home, it's full of warm details that make the space look intentionally designed, but lived-in. It also feels quintessentially English.
For instance, the eclectic style of Bridget's English country decor home invites a mix of patterns, textures, and shapes. Rhiannon Masters, interior designer at Piglet in Bed explains: 'Instead of having coherent furniture, this aesthetic is all about mismatching different prints and colours for an imperfect look. Think velvet sofas and striped armchairs, with vintage additions such as slightly worn sideboards or bookshelves you find in your local antique store. Bridget Jones is a huge fan of clashing colours, as seen through the bright yellow kitchen walls decorated with vibrant green tiles in her new - yet equally eccentric - family home in Hampstead Heath.'
The Eclectic English Edit
The blue and white tigers on this wallpaper would perfectly complement a neutral interior. It's unique and stunning enough to work in any home.
The pink, green, purple, and blue flowers on this wallpaper would be a wonderful addition to a pattern layered space. I love how it looks with the wooden dresser in this product image.
This white and green leafy armchair looks like the coziest possible place to rest. It looks wonderful layered with patterned pillows.
This burgundy, white, and blue pillow would be a gorgeous pop of color on a neutral sofa. I love that the design looks almost like a plant, but not quite, for something that feels more unexpected.
These little lamps bring so much joy. From their bobbin shape to their curved lampshades they are gorgeous celebrations of happiness.
I love the up and down texture of the velvet on this cushion. The light peach color is the perfect warm neutral to complement a brown and tan scheme.
One essential part of recreating the look of the film is a focus on wallpaper ideas. Rhiannon states: 'Bridget’s bedroom showcased a traditional green wallpaper inspired by nature, complete with paintings that don’t quite match. In contrast, her daughter Mabel’s bedroom was adorned in a vibrant, animal-inspired wallpaper inspired by her vibrant and chaotic personality. You can get the look by choosing vibrant wallpaper that clashes with the rest of the room. Whether you keep it quintessentially British with country cottage-inspired floral wallpaper or add a vintage elegance with stripes, wallpaper is a chic yet easy way to bring cosy chaos into your home.'
Though the maximalist decor of the style might make you think it would be extremely colorful, it's an exercise in more muted tones. 'Warm neutral tones like oatmeal, olive green and clay are great backdrops for building the rest of the room around, as you can mix and match textures and fabrics while the warm undertone of the walls ties everything together,' states Rhiannon.
Ultimately, the style of Bridget Jones's home is more about the feeling of the space than the exact decor choices. Rhiannon says: 'To get this look, fill your home with anything that shows your personality. Bridget does this by displaying crockery and glassware in her kitchen, as well as her children’s drawings and bunting. Anything that has meaning to you makes the perfect ‘clutter’. You just need to style it accordingly in your home.' Decorating with vintage, and pieces you find in antique stores to create this antique feel.
Films and TV shows can be an unexpected place to look for interior design ideas. Whether it's trying out a new style or learning to listen to your intuition, set interiors are a great spot to start.
