Passionate about Poldark? Here's 8 easy ways to recreate the look in your own home

Loving Poldark's 18th-century interiors almost as much as you're loving Aidan Turner in his britches? Check out these eight design tricks that take their lead from the Cornish coast

Everyone's been swooning over Aidan Turner in Poldark but some of us have been swooning over the show's 18th-century Cornish interiors as well. We've picked out a few ways you can work the look into your home, whether you live in the city or by the sea.

1. Embrace rustic details

Ok, so not everyone is lucky enough to have original beams and exposed stone walls in their living room, but you can still create a period cottage feel in a modern building. Wicker baskets - ideally woven from driftwood - add instant rustic charm, while a vintage bucket makes a handy magazine rack. An open fire is a must if space and planning restrictions allow. Choose a traditional fire basket to complete the 18th-century look.

living room with fire place

(Image credit: TBC)

2. Deck out your home with antiques

Every dashing hero needs a place to kick off his riding boots. Placing an antique bench in a hallway comes in just as handy for removing 21st-century footwear, too. For a more coastal feel, hang a classic maritime print on the wall above the bench. Remember, when it comes to antique furniture or art, the more, the better...

hallway with blue wall

(Image credit: TBC)

3. Paint it white

Eighteenth-century kitchens tended to be dark and cramped, which just won't do by today's standards. Instead, go for a pale or white scheme incorporating a handful of key traditional pieces. This range cooker and ship-style pendant are just the thing. The whitewashed cupboards add a soft, coastal touch.

kitchen with cabinets and grey theme

(Image credit: TBC)

4. Add nautical accessories

After months at sea living off stale biscuits and cabbage, 18th-century sailors liked to live it up when they got back to Cornwall's fair shores. The nautical detail in this sumptuous dining room would make them feel right at home. Recreate the look with anchor-printed fabrics and table-top storm lanterns that will cast a cosy glow over the evening's entertainment.

dining area with leather chairs

(Image credit: TBC)

5. Embrace the traditional ladder shelf

If you do happen to live in a coastal cottage, make the most of the period features you've got. Painting this loft ladder white has helped it to sing out in a light-limited hallway space. If your home's short on built-in period charm, add it yourself with a rustic ladder shelf, like this one from Limehouse Furniture.

white color landing area

(Image credit: TBC)

6. Upcycle an old trunk

The wooden trunk and trunk-style chest of drawers in this nautical bedroom hark back to an era of wind-powered ships and high-seas adventures. Second-hand trunks are easy to pick up at flea markets or on the web and can be very affordable, too. You don't have to go the whole hog with the nautical look - this bedroom would still exude seafaring charm without the ship-themed wallpaper thanks to the bedside lanterns and porthole-like mirrors.

bedroom with boat painted wall

(Image credit: TBC)

7. Choose traditional office furniture and accessories

Bureaus may have their origins in the 17th century but they are just as practical in a modern home office. Pigeon-hole shelves mean that everything has its right place and, best of all, you can shut all your papers away once your work is done. Try JustGlobes for a similar antique-style globe.

study area wooden furniture

(Image credit: TBC)

8. Go for a roll top bath

Bathrooms would have been a luxury in Poldark's time. So would baths, for that matter. However, when the 18th-century gentry did deign to bathe, it was certain to be in a roll-top. This distressed number manages to look both antique and ultra-contemporary thanks to the sleek freestanding tap. Roll-tops are often a good choice in awkwardly-shaped bathrooms as they can be tucked into spaces where a fitted bath couldn't go.

white stone wall bathroom

(Image credit: TBC)

******

Thea Babington-Stitt
Assistant Editor

Thea Babington-Stitt is the Assistant Editor for Ideal Home. Thea has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles for nearly 10 years. 

She started working on these magazines and websites after graduating from City University London with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors.