The first question many of our clients ask when we begin a
new project is whether or not the decorating choices they make for their homes
need to reflect the architectural design of their home. This is clearly a subjective topic, but for
us, it usually comes down to personal style and taste. Each client, and every home are unique, with
different lifestyles and preferences.
Inspiration can come from many sources, but there are some basic
decorating styles that can be tapped into for the best overall look for your
home. We wanted to share with you some
of these styles:
Architectural design styles:
Art Deco – this
was popular in the 20’s & 30’s and feature rounded fronts, streamlined and
geometric style of furnishings with sleek lines, wood, chrome and glass
materials.
Arts & Crafts
– a style that was prevalent between 1910 & 1925, featuring simple form
with no extraneous decoration. Made
popular by architects Frank Lloyd Wright’s craftsman style of architecture and
bungalow style by Greene & Greene., Arts & Crafts often uses local
materials in the design.
Asian – inspired
by design elements from Japan, China, Vietnam and Thailand. Asian style fuses natural fibers and elements
like bamboo and colors from nature to create a relaxing, calm, natural
environment. The furniture of
Asian-inspired design is usually lacquered or hand-painted. The addition of brightly colored accessories
or statues of animals and mythical creatures is widely used to complete the
look.
Contemporary – these
designs feature sleek lines, solid colors and muted neutrals with bold punches
of colors. Furniture can be lower to the
ground and often features metal frames and straight legs with basic shapes and
forms.
Geographic inspired designs:
Coastal –
inspired by all things from the ocean, this decorating style looks to create a
light and breezy feel by utilizing light fabrics for window treatments and
beach-themed accessories. Blue and white
tones with gold accents are most often the center of coastal palettes.
Country – rustic
elegance with extensive use of white wood paneling and soft floral panels makes
this a soft, yet beautiful style for any home.
Muted hues and pops of red, black or pure white accents with handmade,
rustic features of floral and stripes are basic in country style.
French – Ornate
and fanciful, French design utilizes colors that range from rich to softer,
muted shades characterized by rich details and extensive use of gold, bronze and
gilt. Layering antique or heirloom
furniture with dramatic window treatments and lots of fresh flowers finish the
design.
Mediterranean –
inspired by the coastal regions of Spain, Greece and Italy, this decorating
style favors colors that echo the sea and include terra cotta, yellow and
lavender. Short furniture pieces with
turned legs, heavy hardware and burnished finishes bring a richness to the
overall feel, along with velvet, linen and textured fabrics, as well as
textured walls.
Everything in-between:
Eclectic – has
been the trend for a catch-all of styles with unlimited possibilities that
focus on the basic building blocks of design:
color, pattern, texture, composition that make Eclectic designs anything
but thrown together. Eclectic spaces are
quite cohesive and inspire imagination and surprise with unexpected contrasts.
Mid-Century Modern
– originated in the 50’s & 60’s and epitomized by the Rat-Pack days of Palm
Springs, this decorating style has a heavy influence from Scandinavian design
and architecture that characterize simplistic, yet functional styles. Minimalist design with use of glass for walls
with pops of deep colors like orange and olive green to top off quirky
furniture styles.
Traditional –
with furniture styles usually from the 18th-century English and 19th
century neoclassic, French country and British colonial, this classic style
creates calm and orderly décor. Utilizing
mid-tone colors and muted fabrics featuring simple florals, solids, stripes or
plaids to create symmetry in any space.
Transitional –
inspired by both contemporary and traditional this style usually focuses on
updated furniture designs with clean lines and a deep-rooted sense of history
in some pieces.
So, the question begs, do you need to decorate your home around
the specific style that fits the architecture? We feel that home decorating is
about exploring your creativity and passion, and less about the style of the
home’s design. For instance, just
because you live in a colonial style home doesn’t mean you need to decorate in
a traditional style. Here are three
simple steps to choosing your home décor:
1)
Research different design styles in decorating
magazines and cut out pictures of the room designs that please and inspire
you. Pay attention to the colors and
textures of each style, as well as the details of the furniture in the pictures
that appeal to you.
2)
Make note of the architectural details in your
home that make it unique or challenging for decorating. Are your rooms small or large? Are your ceilings high or low? Do you have moldings or other details? Consider
window and door locations as well.
3)
Choose a color palette, fabric patterns, window
treatments, furniture pieces and accessories that best suit your taste and
personal style. We recommend creating an
account on Pinterest or Houzz.com to “pin” or create “idea books” that include
the items that inspire you and make you feel good. Use these as inspiration when you go shopping
or when you meet with your decorator.
Interiors by John Henry helps our clients combine the
colors, textures, fabrics and furnishings that make their home a reflection of
their personal style, while working with the space and architectural features
of the home to highlight the best features and downplay the challenging areas. For more information about choosing a
decorating style for your home, custom window treatment options or any kitchen
or bath remodel or renovation, contact us today.
No comments:
Post a Comment