The final section of our design glossary mentions ornate styles from ages past and is capped off by insight into an aesthetic to put your mind at ease.
Urban
Urban interior design, also known as soft industrial, is all about blending raw and refined elements—the kind of style that would make both the cast of Friends and a Brooklyn architect feel right at home. Think clean lines and open space, but trade the sterile for something with a little more edge. Walls love to show off exposed brick, concrete or stone, letting texture do the talking while fabrics like leather, chunky knits or even velvet soften things up just enough so you don’t feel like you live in a trendy warehouse.
Color palettes in urban interiors lean deep and moody—charcoal greys, steel blues and warm browns, with the occasional white or metallic to keep things from becoming too Gotham. Materials are the stars of the show: battered wood mingles with glossy surfaces while metal accents wink from tabletops and fixtures. The right industrial pendant light can go from supporting role to main character in a hurry and honestly, who doesn’t want their kitchen to have a little Hollywood moment?
Furniture often pulls cues from iconic pieces like the Tolix chair or the LC2 by Le Corbusier, while designers such as Philippe Starck and Jean Prouvé have become synonymous with this bold, urban look. If you want to bring urban edge outside, try mixing low-profile concrete planters and oversized lanterns on your balcony or roof—outdoor living never looked so cosmopolitan. Whether your space channels a penthouse or a warehouse, urban design proves you really can judge a book by its cover—if that cover is industrial-chic.
Venetian
Venetian interiors are like the original Oscars red carpet—designed for drama, sparkle and unforgettable glamour. Every room wants to bask in the spotlight, so you’ll find mirrors galore with frames that look like they borrowed a few jewels straight from a Venetian palace treasure chest. Gilded finishes are never shy, tracing along chair legs, mirror edges, candleholders and picture frames, catching light from crystal chandeliers that could make Gatsby jealous.
Walls often shimmer with textured stucco or opulent damasks, handling creams and rich jewel tones—deep wine reds, golds and sultry purples—better than any Renaissance painting. These hues get an extra glow from a sea of white candles and clever wall sconces, doubling the drama without needing an Instagram filter. Furniture is where things get really interesting: expect plenty of carved wood, playful cabriole legs and fabrics decked out in stripes or lush florals. Iconic pieces like the Venetian console table or the delicate “Trumeau” writing desk aren’t just furniture—they’re scene-stealers straight out of a period drama.
Glass isn’t left behind; Murano’s glassmakers have been the real MVPs since forever and a true Venetian space isn’t complete without a touch of their handiwork in lighting or decor. Architecturally, those distinctive Gothic lancet arches and Moorish-inspired motifs keep everything proudly Venetian, never letting you forget you’re in the city that inspired the masked ball. For anyone looking to channel a bit more grandeur, take tips from legends like Carlo Scarpa, whose modern twists on tradition show why Venice is style royalty—no gondola required.
Victorian
Victorian style doesn’t do quiet—it makes an entrance like a star accepting an award, neat but never plain, loaded with details and drama. Walk into a Victorian home and you’ll see every room is like a character in a play, especially the parlor. Each space has its own part to perform.
Everywhere you look, there’s moody texture: thick velvet curtains, chairs covered in tapestry fabric and heavy carved furniture perfect for a tea party—or a “Downton Abbey” reunion.
Victorians loved dark woods such as mahogany, walnut and rosewood, buffed until they practically reflect your expression and with curves even a gymnast would envy. The color scheme is deep and bold: teal, mustard yellow, burgundy, with a wink of lavender for good measure. Think of it like a Victorian photo filter—the lighting is soft, but the impact is strong. Gold and brass show up on everything from drawer pulls to giant chandeliers that could rival any flashy concert stage.
You won’t spot a bland wall here. Ceilings and walls get the full treatment with fancy plasterwork, gold trim and sometimes wild wallpapers designed by icons like William Morris, who basically set the Victorian rulebook for patterns. Thomas Chippendale’s mark is all over with signature cabinets, tall-backed chairs and sideboards that could win best supporting furniture.
Finish off with layers of cushy needlepoint pillows, patterned rugs and enough trinkets to fill a trophy case. It’s a look that’s dramatic, storied and always ready for its moment in the spotlight—no ring light required.
Vintage
Vintage interior design isn’t afraid to flaunt its age and thank goodness for that. Think of it as comfort food for your home—it blends form and function with real soul. Charm comes from soft, time-worn woods, reliable brass and sturdy iron, all nodding to an era when furniture built character along with support. Vintage style loves soft, faded colors like old blue jeans, gentle pinks, butter yellow and cozy earth tones you’d swear you’ve seen in an old movie. These shades make rooms feel calm and real, like they’ve got a little history. Touch is just as important. You’ll find seats covered in soft velvet, old-school lace or crisp linen—each one feels a bit like a relaxed hug from grandma’s house.
Iconic furniture isn’t shy about making a cameo. Lounge chairs that scream Eames, sturdy Chippendales and tufted Chesterfield sofas almost wink from their spot by the fireplace, while time-tested favorites like clawfoot tubs and farm tables strut their retro stuff better than a cameo on Friends reruns. A real vintage room looks like it’s been collected over time, not bought in one afternoon. Nothing matches perfectly and that’s the charm. Every beat-up table and old lamp has its own story. Designers like Dorothy Draper, David Hicks and Elsie de Wolfe made this look famous. They mixed and matched patterns and old finds way before everyone else thought it was cool.
Vintage interiors welcome history, nostalgia and playful elegance without feeling fussy or precious. It’s the only style where a scratched leather armchair gets more compliments than a brand-new one and where every detail—down to the worn hinges—seems to have its own story to tell.
Western
Western interiors are all about easygoing elegance with a side of spurs. Think open spaces anchored by rugged forms like chunky wood furniture, hefty stone fireplaces and ceilings that show off thick timber beams. Leather and suede are regulars here, usually softened by cowhide rugs or Navajo-patterned throws that bring in a punch of pattern and enough color to keep things lively without going Yeehaw Barbie. The palette takes its cue from the Southwest—warm golds, sunbaked terra cotta and the deep reds you see when the sun calls it quits in Monument Valley.
Textures really steal the show: nubby wools, raw-edged wood, hammered metals and stone that isn’t afraid to show its wild side. Light bounces off weathered surfaces in all the right ways, from wrought-iron sconces to hand-thrown ceramic pendants. Western kitchens often rock Saltillo tiles underfoot and every room is fair game for a mural, a splashy mosaic or vintage rodeo poster—yes, even the powder room deserves to go full cowboy sometimes.
Iconic pieces like ranch-style armoires, C.R. Mackintosh’s cozy Morris chairs and Thomas Molesworth’s log-framed classics cement the look. Designers like Ralph Lauren (the actual one, not just the polo shirt) have helped keep Western cool while resisting the urge to put cow skulls on every wall. At the end of the day, Western design is honest, tactile and down to earth—proof that you don’t need to head to Hollywood to steal the scene.
William & Mary
William & Mary interiors channel a vibe where stately elegance doesn’t mean stuffy formality. This style is all about those high-backed chairs with curves that would make even your favorite movie icon jealous, paired with dramatic scroll arms and the occasional splash of oriental lacquer. You’ll notice the iconic ball feet on chairs and tables—a playful nod to the era’s love of shapely forms and a subtle flex that even modern designers appreciate.
Wood rules here, but not just any wood. Think olive and acacia, dressed to impress with oyster, seaweed or floral veneers that seriously outshine basic stains. Veneer work isn’t just detail—it’s the headline act, running across highboys, lowboys and cabinets like the early version of a designer signature purse.
Color schemes in a William & Mary setting stay calm and sophisticated. Creams, taupes and soft browns keep things neutral yet rich, letting those statement furniture pieces take their well-deserved bows. Glossy wood floors reflect the natural light, making everything feel a bit more regal, minus the need for a crown.
The legendary Periwig Chair is the kind of seating royal courts and design buffs drool over, with crested backs and cane seats that blend function with flair. No list of classics is complete without a name drop, so here’s a hat tip to Thomas Roberts—a cabinetmaker who set Olympic records in this style before it was cool. William & Mary doesn’t just do interiors—it does a full-on period drama and you get to live in it, no time machine needed.
Zen
Zen interiors are all about dialing down the chaos and letting your mind breathe—like Marie Kondo on a spa day. At heart, Zen design is simple but never sterile and invites you to chill out with a palette pulled straight from nature’s calmest moods: soft sand, smooth stone and quiet cloud tones. The stars here are earthy textures: the quiet warmth of cedar floors, the natural crumple of linen and the soft grounding of a wool rug that blends right into the flooring. Nothing’s trying too hard, because in Zen design, less is the ultimate luxury.
Furniture tends to stay low and close to the ground, with clean lines and few embellishments. It’s not about impressing guests with over-the-top pieces—it’s about subtlety. Designers like Naoto Fukasawa have mastered this philosophy with simple loungers that practically hum with calm. Architect Tadao Ando’s serene, minimal structures also reflect the essence of Zen, using materials like wood and concrete to create harmony without noise. Simple wooden tables and chairs flow with the space, contributing to a the serenity.
Lighting is gentle and purposeful. Wide, open windows let daylight pour in like a meditation bell, while soft bamboo sconces or simple pendant lights keep things mellow after sundown. Zen interiors invite the outdoors to be part of the experience.
And speaking of outdoors, you can carry that calm into the garden. A small stone path, a low teak bench or a tidy rock garden blurs the boundary between interior and exterior. With Zen, your patio might just become your favorite meditation spot—cross-legged optional but encouraged.
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