The seventh section of our lengthy overview of design aesthetics looks at several fancy styles from different eras.
Regal
Regal homes come with a warm, opulent feel and plenty of luxurious decadent detailing, just like you would find in a royal palace interior. A variety of color palettes can be used, such as all-white, black and white or a mix of rich hues such as royal blue or emerald green. While you might find different colors in regal homes, you’ll always see a mix of metallics and lush fabrics. It creates an elegant, majestic and sophisticated ambiance throughout the interior. Metals such as gold, silver, bronze and copper can be used on anything from chandeliers and lamps to cabinet hardware and wall decor. The metallic hues complement any colors that are used. Chairs, bedding, window treatments and couches feature glamorous fabrics like silk and velvet. Large mirrors are placed on walls to help open up the space and make it appear grander.
Regence
Regence inspired interiors combine glamour and sophistication with French style. Unlike regency homes, color palettes are kept more subdued using a mixture of various neutrals like creams, grays and browns. Furniture features curved sides and legs to contribute to a delicate graceful ambiance. Decorative patterns are used on everything from fabrics to wood and include leaves, flowers or shells. These patterns are often mixed and matched throughout the home on upholstered chairs, walls and rugs. Elaborate motifs featuring dragons and other mythological creatures were often included. Chandeliers are commonly used light fixtures because they bring a bit of glamour into the interior of living rooms, bathrooms and bedrooms. Doorways and windows are typically arched, which can help soften up the look of a space.
Regency
Regency homes have a Hollywood glam about them, and interiors are all about the details. Chandeliers, for example, are adorned with crystals, while lampshades and pillows are embellished with fringe and cabinets are paneled with ornate glass detailing. The fabric on lampshades, drapes, curtains and bedding includes silk and velvet. Furniture never has a matte finish – instead, surfaces give off a glossy, bright and opulent look.
Because Regency-style homes are focused on entertaining, the living and dining rooms are arranged in a way that encourages guests to interact with one another. Therefore, couches and chairs are rarely faced toward a television. Furniture should fade into the background, so sofas, chairs and chaises are low to the ground and modest in scale. Vibrant, rich colors are used throughout the home, like deep reds, bright yellows and dark purples. This contrasts with the high gloss on furniture, light fixtures and wall decor.
Renaissance
Renaissance interior design emerged in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries and is characterized by rich detailing, spacious rooms and elegant materials. Doors and windows feature rounded arches, and the frames around doors and windows are typically covered with marble. The furniture is equipped with just as much architectural detail, like pilasters, columns and cornices. Renaissance style architecture is marked by strict adherence to symmetry, proportion and balance. The first example of this style of architecture was Filippo Brunelleschi’s magnificent Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy. The color palette in Renaissance style can be described as deep, dark and oftentimes gloomy, and contains purples, blues, blacks and greens. Kitchen cabinets are heavily decorated with windows and columns and contain many drawers and compartments. Tables are usually in a rectangular or octagonal shape and constructed out of ornate materials like granite and marble.
Retro
Retro home design contains nostalgic elements from vintage, eclectic and Bohemian styles. Perhaps its most defining quality is the use of bold patterns and colors that celebrate the levity of a post-war United States. Shades are usually bright and vibrant and can include a mix of oranges, reds, yellows, etc. Typically, only one or two of those colors are used throughout the home to avoid a chaotic, cluttered look. Patterns are always big and are used on everything from walls and rugs to chairs and sofas.
Furniture features circular, curved lines and are constructed with wood or leather. Trinkets found at antique shops and flea markets are arranged on open shelving to add vintage flair and personality to the home. The 1950s and 1960s are the eras most often associated with this style. Interior designers like Dorothy Draper and David Hicks used psychedelic patterns with starkly contrasting colors to create memorable interiors in the U.S. and Europe. Colorful polypropylene upholstered seats are also frequently seen in retro environments with nostalgic pieces inspired by diners or vintage automobiles.
Revival
The Revival period in nineteenth-century American interior design and architecture was a direct result of the rapidly changing country. In reaction to growing urbanization, mechanization and demographic changes, many Americans pined for simpler times and romanticized the past. The result was a revival of many design styles from antiquity, which were thought to reflect the values of the homeowner and their family. Furniture, lighting and architectural elements drew inspiration from Greek, Gothic, Egyptian, Spanish and Rococo styles to name a few. Today, we see the Revivalist spirit in the detailing, materials and color palettes of rooms and signature pieces, in concert with more eclectic and modern design tastes. In some cases, it may simply take the form of iconic columns or subtle decorative moulding.
Rietveld
Rietveld interior design balances new and old by blending elements from the modern world with Arts and Crafts style. Chairs and tables feature very sharp, sleek lines to reflect a contemporary functionalist aesthetic. Architect Gerrit Rietveld designed the iconic Rietveld red and blue chair. It is considered a representation of the Dutch Modernist and Neoplasticism movements (though not of pure De Stijl inspiration) [Jensen 2007]. The seat is bright blue, while the back is red, and the ends of the arms are yellow, bringing splashes of primary colors into the home. His zig-zag chair is easily recognized, while the Shroder House remains the last true representation of De Stijl (Dutch for “the style”) architecture.
Shades used on the walls are neutral and include whites, grays and blacks. Large picture windows put the focus on nature and the dramatic views of the outdoors. Rietveld light fixtures are sleek and understated, like simple white pendants and floor lamps with little to no ornamentation.
Rococo
Also known as rocaille, Rococo was a reaction the geometric formal style of the Louis XIV style that preceded it in France. Rococo interiors share a similar look to French style in that they’re light, elegant and airy. The color palette is predominantly made up of ivory, light pastels and golds. Mirrors are a common decorating tool used to enhance natural light and make spaces appear larger. Rococo furniture is defined by elaborate carvings handmade by craftsmen and owes much of its inspiration to its Baroque ancestry. Lines on tables, chairs and sofa are always curved and soft. Asymmetrical decorations are another big part of Rococo style. They’re typically inspired by elements of nature such as conches, waves, corals and shells. Panels and ceramics are also influenced by chinoiserie and depict various aspects of Asian or Chinese life and architecture.
Romantic
Romantic style embraces a soft, delicate and effortlessly beautiful feeling. Colors are usually subdued and muted and include shades like dusty pink, sky blue and creamy white. Metallic elements such as picture frames, candlesticks and vases offer a sparkling contrast to the low-key palette. Antique chandeliers with crystal droplets are hung in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms to provide a touch of glamour. Harsh lighting is a “no-no” in rooms with a romantic aesthetic. Setting the mood relies on diffused illumination that idealizes rather than completely reveals. Four poster beds and canopy beds with swags of diaphanous fabric have a fairytale-like feel and create a sense of intimacy. Lines on furniture are graceful and curvy to promote a romantic ambiance. Fabrics on curtains, linens and bedding are luxurious – velvet and silk are the two materials most commonly used.
Russian
Russian home style can be defined as snug, cozy and welcoming. It blends both classic and country interiors for the perfect mix of luxury and simplicity. These spaces are filled with meaningful pieces like handmade wall decorations and handcrafted furniture. Paneled cupboards may feature folk art or geometric symbols, while framed tapestries pay homage to traditional Russian craftsmanship. Colors used throughout Russian homes include inviting hues like mint greens, creamy whites, golden yellows and deep browns. Flowers are an oft-used decorating tool. Floral patterns are found on curtains and pillows, while floral paintings are hung on the walls. Finally, blooms in vases add charm and brightness to a home. Parquet wooden floors or decorative ceramic tiled ones provide additional flavor.
Rustic
This design style was born from the natural inspirations of the Romantic movement. Rustic homes are inspired by the simplicity and rugged beauty of nature. Furniture and fabrics are made up of materials found outdoors, like weathered wood, stone, concrete, hemp, wool and cotton. Interiors are filled with neutral colors to keep the attention on the stunning raw materials used to create floors, accent walls, tables and chairs. Walls are kept white or are covered in warm brick, stone or distressed reclaimed wood. Large windows are another common element of rustic home design. They fill the space with natural light and help the home feel as close to the outdoors as possible. The Adirondack chair is one of the most popular pieces of furniture that is identified with this style. Other rustic wooden seating and tables feature wide slats and heavy block-like frames.
Guide Sections
References
- Jensen, T. (2007). De Stijl.
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