The third section of this extensive catalog of design styles is dominated by themes originating in the United Kingdom.
Danish
Danish style draws influences from modern and contemporary homes. Clean and simple lines and an emphasis on sleek materials help to define this simplistic Nordic aesthetic. Bright colors are introduced through patterned pillows, upholstery and fabrics. Monochromatic neutral tones like stark whites, grays and beiges are used throughout the rest of the home to contrast with the bold-colored accessories. All Danish furniture has clean lines with no details to keep the focus on function rather than style. Chairs and tables are usually the focal points of a room, as there are few other decorative pieces. Danish style interiors are cool, crisp and never cluttered. Lamps with clean white shades and sleek bases are placed throughout the home to illuminate the monochromatic color palette.
Directoire
Directoire interior design emerged at the end of the 18th century and combines characteristics from both Greek and Roman styles. The furniture of Directoire style is sleek and elegant with a sophisticated feel. It was a direct result of the French Revolution, as there were fewer aristocratic buyers for the costly decorative furnishings in the style of Louis XVI. Joiners and cabinet-makers scaled-down furniture and eliminated much of the parquetry and marquetry prevalent in the earlier design period. This appealed to a more proletarian clientele [Miller 2005].
Rather than having engraved emblems of aristocracy and royalty, Directoire furniture features decorations of griffins and Greek caryatids (carvings of draped female figures). The most common piece of furniture is the daybed, which is inspired by the Grecian-style couch. The ends of the bed are delicately rolled over and equal in height. The Neoclassical seating often incorporates curved backs and outward curving legs reminiscent of Greek klismos chairs. Light fixtures have an antique feel, as table lamps, wall sconces and chandeliers never fall short when it comes to ornate detailing. This style was seen in France at the end of the 1700s, before the advent of consular and empire design periods.
Dutch Renaissance
Dutch Renaissance homes place importance on symmetry and proportion, similar to art nouveau-inspired spaces. Architectural home elements feature elegant, curved lines and colors that are muted to put an emphasis on furniture and decor. Deep, dark tones are used with cool tints of white and placed throughout interiors. Armoires, sideboards, wardrobes and chairs are carved with scrolls and trees, which are two common Dutch motifs. The demand for more artistic furniture coincided with the growth of the banking and merchant class across Europe.
Dutch Renaissance style is more organic than its Italian counterpart, which tends to be more neoclassic. It features large beds and dining tables made from heavy oak with bulbous or spiral legs. Stone countertops and wrought iron light fixtures are two elements commonly seen throughout Dutch Renaissance style. Lamp shades and pendants may also be adorned with patterns of swirls, leaves and stems known as arabesque.
Eclectic
Eclectic home design embraces numerous styles such as modern, vintage and bohemian. Materials and textures are also mixed and matched – you might see a leather sofa combined with a plush rug, a weathered wood table, wrought iron pendants and chrome wall decor. Unlike minimalist styles, eclectic interiors are often filled with various knick-knacks, like vintage dinnerware, modern sculptures, flower vases, etc. Mastering an eclectic home requires drawing on many different textures, colors and styles for a unique environment filled with personality. Despite the variety, this style is not chaotic or haphazard. Some cohesive motifs and themes tie the disparate pieces together. A common thread, such as a recurring neutral tone or shape, is often used to subtly connect the varied pieces and create a sense of belonging.
Egyptian
Egyptian homes use rich color to produce a truly opulent atmosphere. Metallic golds and vibrant blues, oranges and yellows are combined with neutrals for a perfect balance of bold and subtle. Walls are often painted shades of yellow and soft brown to create a warm ambiance and reminder of the Egyptian desert sand. This light neutral palette provides an understated backdrop for the contrasting boldness of the vivid upholstery and accents. Linens are typically crafted out of silk and Egyptian cotton. These fabrics are solidly colored and usually void of any ornate patterns.
Furniture pieces are largely geometric in shape, but feature detailed ornamentation on the corners and edges. Flat surfaces are often adorned with geometric reliefs, colored enamel or gilded inlays. Egyptian-inspired art, such as gold metallic sculptures, papyrus scrolls and hieroglyphics are also used to decorate the home. Greenery is also used sparingly throughout the home for a splash of color.
Elizabethan
Walking into an English Elizabethan-styled home, you’ll immediately notice plenty of natural wood structures. Wooden ceiling beams, tables and chairs have rich colors and ornate detailing. This beautiful detailing can also be found on the geometric wood-paneled ceilings with diamond-patterned tiles. Decorative stonework, tapestries, murals and floral patterns dress up the walls, while moulded plaster ceilings provide additional visual intrigue above.
Black and white checkered marble floors were a favorite of the times and the timeless look is still pervasive today. Transom and oriel windows are also signature architectural elements of an Elizabethan home. These often-overlooked design features offer subtle grace and elegance and help fill the interior with light and create an airy feeling. Furniture usually consists of large, bulky pieces defined by ornate carvings and bulbous legs. Wainscot chairs with turned front legs and sectioned squared back legs with embroidered upholstery were prevalent during this movement.
Empire
Empire style represents the second phase of Neoclassicism that began in the early 19th century in Napoleonic France and later appeared in the U.S. It’s closely tied to the German Biedermeier style and the American Federal architectural movement. It marked a return to the ostentatious splendor of imperial Rome after the minimalist austerity of the earlier Directoire period. Columns transitioned from the plain Doric to the ornate Corinthian style. This opulence is mirrored in detailed ebony carvings, richly veneered mahogany and intricate gilded bronze (ormolu) accents and sculptures. There is symmetry in the ornamentation of the Empire aesthetic, which frequently includes eagles, stars, chariots, winged chimeras, laurels and acanthus leaves.
Egyptian iconography such as sphinxes, pyramids, obelisks and scarabs also adorn engravings and decorative inlays. Oversized chests and cabinetry often feature animal paw feet, glass pulls and gilt brass furniture mounts. Seating tends to be wide with low backs and curving lines. Fiddle backs, restrained cabriole legs and rich brocade upholstery are common in Empire style. Cabinetmakers Duncan Phyfe and Charles-Honore Lannuier are among the notable figures from this era of furniture design in America. Paneled walls with contrasting light tones, deep colors and golden accents add to the elegance of this look. Each room in a home typically has its own color palette (e.g. Red Room in the Whitehouse). Molding and doorways often incorporate the iconic egg and dart pattern.
English
English interiors evoke a classic, traditional feel. Floral-patterned floor-length drapes made from chintz or damask hang around the windows, and furniture such as bed frames, chairs and tables have a glossy wood finish with ornate detailing. Four-poster beds are a common feature of English interiors, as they evoke a timeless, traditional aesthetic. Needlepoint footstools, throw pillows and chair cushions bring a cozy ambiance to the interior. Color palettes are warm and inviting – you’ll often see a combination of pale pinks, creamy whites, light greens and subdued burgundy.
There is an understated formality to English style interiors, whether it’s a stately manor, townhouse or brick house at the end of the lane. Studies or small libraries feature floor-to-ceiling bookcases and often include a Chesterfield sofa. These long couches come in plush fabrics or rich leather and are recognized by their deeply tufted upholstery and rolled arms that are the same height as the back.
English Country
English country homes focus on warmth, coziness and charm. Beautifully carved wooden furniture and skirted beds, couches and chairs frequent the interiors of these abodes. Deep seating upholstered in patterned fabric is commonly used. Floral, plaid and striped patterns are frequently used on linens and fabrics, as well as wallpaper and ottomans. The English country style features a rich color palette of pinks, greens, blues and reds to bring forth the welcoming feel of a rural cottage. Chintz curtains and swagged pelmets may even match decorative wallpaper patterns. Painted furnishings are often adorned with stenciled accents. Antique accessories are used to add a touch of vintage flair and potted plants are placed liberally throughout the house on windowsills and mantels.
European
European interior design features a charming mix of traditional and contemporary styles. It’s difficult to pin down this aesthetic since it can draw upon influences from many countries and time periods across the continent. In traditionally styled homes, you’ll typically see more ornate curves and lines on everything from chairs and couches to tables and sinks. Urban townhouses and apartments tend to have smaller bathrooms and kitchens that maximize the utility of vertical spaces. Scrolled and floral patterns are also more prevalent in older settings. Modern environments tend to rely on the principle that less is more. Cabinets, have smooth, flat surfaces with little to no hardware and are often inspired by the minimalism of Scandinavian designs. Contemporary European color schemes tend to be subdued and understated, focusing on neutrals. Instead, the attention is put on natural materials such as wood, stone and granite.
Exploration
This interior design style places an emphasis on travel and exploring and is in many ways an offshoot of British Colonial design. Desks and seating are often collapsible for easy transportation in the mode of campaign furniture used by the British military during this era. The ability to be broken down and moved on a moment’s notice is also seen in modular storage units adorned with leather handles and brass rivets. Maps and charts are frequently used as decorating tools with vintage globes dressing up coffee tables and framed maps hanging on the walls. E
xploration-themed interiors also come with an Old World, vintage flair. Antique items like old suitcases, trunks and worldly trinkets can be used as accents. A vintage travel trunk inspired by the Belle Epoque age adds a lot of character to a home. Postcards are another feature of this worldly aesthetic – they can be framed or grouped together in a collage for a unique wall gallery or placed under glass in display tables.
Guide Sections
References
- Miller, J. (2005). Furniture. Penguin.
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