The Bridgerton Effect

HOW THE NATION’S MOST BELOVED CHARACTERS ARE INFLUENCING OUR INTERIORS

Online furniture brand swoon reveals how you should style your regency-inspired home based on your personality, as the show returns this March

Gather your quill and ink, and get ready to write to all of your friends, as Bridgerton is returning for its second season on 22 March 2022. The beloved series first graced our screens on Christmas Day of 2020, and ever since then the nation has fallen in love with Daphne Bridgerton and her adventures around aristocratic London.

With the show reaching 82 million households over 72 countries, the world has truly fallen for the ‘Bridgerton effect’ – and it is beginning to make its way into our homes. From an 81% increase in Google searches for “Bridgerton bedrooms”, to a 28% increase in antique chairs in the past few months*, regency-inspired interiors are truly becoming all the rage - some 200 years after the original trend. The effect is even reaching social media, with over 210 million views on TikTok under ‘royalcore’ aesthetics. This exuberant and lavish style is all about celebrating luxury, and it’s here to stay. So, which of the Bridgerton character’s interiors suits your personality the most? If you are looking to recreate the regal look of Queen Charlotte’s palace, or the abodes belonging to the Bridgertons and Featheringtons to make you feel like the lord or lady of the manor, Swoon, the UK’s leading online design-led furniture brand - along with its stylist experts - has collated its most opulent and in demand décor and styling tips to suit individual traits. Believe us when we say, even the Duke of Hastings would be envious of these regency-esque interior pieces.

THE DukE OF HasTINGs

If, like the Duke of Hastings, you are a passionate and driven individual, you should be looking to include statement pieces into your interior to reflect your bold yet stylish personality. First things first, you need to invest in a decadent armchair. From meetings of dramatic conversation and whisky drinking between The Duke and Anthony Bridgerton, to royal appointments with the Queen in her flamboyant home, the armchair has been a consistent piece of vital furniture for many scenes in the show. To implement this into your abode and add a regal flair, why not accompany your existing sofa with a co-ordinating piece, such as the Winston armchair? Featuring scrolled arm rests and dark wood feet, this sumptuous seat is dripping in all of the affluence you would expect in a royal household.

And for under your royal feet? Inspired by the majestic patterns and regal jewel tones of The Duke of Hastings home, a hand tufted rug such as the Ardell a perfect companion. Choose a geometric pattern in peacock green and gold to compliment your new armchair flawlessly – forming a perfect pairing Madame Delacroix would be proud of.

If, like Queen Charlotte, your occupation poses regular busy and stressful days, you may be in need of a little personal TLC. Having ambition and drive is admirable, but always remember that you need time for respite, too. Every king or queen needs a place to rest their feet after a hefty day of making decrees. After seeing a 500% increase in sales in this Bridgerton-esque piece since January 2022, it would be an act of treason to not recommend the Berlin Ottoman Footstool. If you are ready to immerse yourself in unadulterated comfort, this stately piece is ready and waiting for your regal arrival. With a plush top cushion and dark oak legs, this footstool is fit for royalty – and perfect to prop your legs in style as you watch the show’s next season this March!

laDy WHIsTlEDOWN

Are you a budding author or gossip enthusiast like Lady Whistledown? Whilst your charismatic words have the power to bring theatrics and entertainment to others, we all know that you need an inspiring workspace to create the best content. So, we’re sure your study (or home office) could do with a small style overhaul! If you are inspired by Lady Whistledown’s journalistic abilities to capture an entire town’s imagination, a writing desk is an essential addition to your abode. The Terning writing desk features the dark wood which was popular in the regency era, but with the modern twist of a tessellated cube pattern engraved into its façade. Featuring a roomy drawer to store your parchment and quills, this desk is the ideal base to build your following of gossip obsessed townspeople.

DapHNE BRIDGERTON

If like Daphne, you love nothing more than to resign to your chambers and relax after a day of providing empathy and insight to your fellow townspeople (or colleagues), your bedroom is the most important room in your abode. In the show, we get small peeks into Daphne’s calming ocean-toned boudoir – so to bring this to life in your own sanctuary, you’re going to need an extravagant headboard, like the one on Swoon’s Kipling king size ottoman bed. This stunning frame is brimming with indulgent character. With a tall, pleated headboard and curling wing sides to help you feel comfortably embraced in your slumber – it’s sure to have you feeling like a Duchess in waiting when winding down. What’s more, this frame features hidden storage, so you can store your feather fascinators and underskirts (or jeans and trainers) without having them clutter your beautiful chamber. Plus, with over 52 colourways available, you’re sure to find a tone that matches your current interior. Need some inspiration? We love the signature blue hues that Daphne wears in the show, so why not customise your headboard in Petrol Blue velvet? Sumptuous. To accompany your new bed frame, why not invest in bedside tables? Swoon’s Head of Design, Sam Baldry, comments: “In many of the Bridgerton sets, symmetry and balance play a crucial part in creating satisfying scenes. You can re-establish this in your own home by placing your bed against a wall centrally, and adding two matching tables either side of it.” To add a touch of class to your bedside set up, why not opt for a pair of nesting side tables such as the Seymour? These sleek, white marble and black steel circular tables ooze all of the opulence you would expect to see in Daphne’s chambers – it’s no wonder they were Swoon’s bestselling item of January 2022! We can’t think of a chicer addition to your sleeping arrangement.

laDy pORTIa FEaTHERINGTON

Determined and cunning, image is a big deal for Lady Portia Featherington. From ensuring her daughters look the part at every social event, to attempting to woo the entire town’s suitors in their earthy hued, tightly corseted gowns, Lady Portia’s actions revolve around how other people perceive her family. If you love to stare at your own façade like Lady Portia Featherington, or simply enjoy the stylish addition reflective accessories bring to your abode, antique style mirrors can add a Bridgerton-esque character to your dwelling. Deco-inspired, metal plated mirrors such as the Claddagh would sit perfectly in the Featherington home, providing a wonderful wall detailing mounted on clashing wisteria patterned wallpaper. This brass plated, rectangular geometric mirror, as well as creating a beautiful display, will help to create a brighter, airy atmosphere. Sam Baldry, comments: “To make your mirror truly stand out in Featherington style, choose a bold background for your mirror such as COAT paint in the shade Pool House. This peacock teal shade will bounce off metals and mirrors to create a contrasting pop, drawing your eyes to the vivid wall detail. Everybody loves a little drama”.

So, with the new season of Bridgerton airing this March, will you be taking inspiration from the stunning sets in your own interior? From decadent armchairs to opulent accessories, Swoon has everything you will need to create a spectacular display worthy of an audience with Queen Charlotte. Oooh la la, indeed.

For further information on Swoon and its product range, visit www.swooneditions.com