Decorating Styles

As an interior decorator, you will be expected to know about different decorating styles. Styles can relate to:

• A particular regional style (i.e. styles influenced by a certain region such as American, French or English Country)
• A particular historical style, which is also called a period style (i.e. styles from or influenced by a certain time period such as Neo-classical, Victorian, Colonial and Modern, to name a few), or
• The general appearance of the furniture

Of the numerous decorating styles, most of them are categorized as being either casual, contemporary or traditional. Some of the popular style trends today are Modern (a contemporary style), Country (a casual style) and traditional styles such as Neo-classical, Victorian and Colonial. Eclectic is another popular decorating style that is created by mixing elements from two or more of the main styles (contemporary, traditional and casual).

Among other things, the style can determine whether you'll be shopping for antiques or looking for modern furniture. It is important to note that when your client is deciding which period or regional style to go with, they should take into consideration the current architecture of their home. For instance, if your client lives in an open-beamed log home, it makes more sense to go with a Country style. If they live in a home with high ceilings, arches, pillars and columns, a Neo-classical look might work best. However, it is totally suitable to decorate using more than one period or regional style. Keep in mind that your client may wish to mix and match various styles to create a very unique décor and Eclectic look.

Colonial

The Colonial style has been around since the 1600's yet evolved somewhat in the middle of the 18th century. This style is traditional and formal and reflects simple elegance. It is a popular style that is often used today. Rooms that are decorated in Colonial style are simple but classic. High quality fabrics and materials (such as silk damask and brocades), fine furniture and exquisite draperies are used to decorate a room to give it a simple, yet rich, look. Colonial style furnishings are often made of cherry wood or mahogany and have classic designs such as the Queen Anne style or Chippendale style. Queen Anne style furniture has curvy and dainty shaped legs (this style of leg is called cabriole) or "S shaped" legs on chairs, tables, sofas and chests and sometimes the cabriole legs have claw and ball feet. The Chippendale style has linear shaped furnishings including chairs with bow backs and straight front legs. Other furnishings you might see in Colonial style decorating are high Queen Anne style chests, double chests of drawers, loveseats, wing chairs, dressing tables, drop-leaf tables with cabriole legs, tables that stand on pedestals.

The floors may be hardwood, or even tiled (with a marble look) and beautiful oriental rugs are often part of the flooring. Walls may be covered in Georgian styled panels (from floor to ceiling) or they may be plastered in earthy tones or bright yellows, blues or greens. Alternatively, walls may be wallpapered or painted with a marbled look. Moldings are sometimes used, particularly cornice and crown moldings. Accessories that can be found in Colonial style homes are grandfather clocks, wall mirrors, sconces, chandeliers and silver service ware.

Country

Country style is normally casual, rustic and slightly cluttered yet can provide a real sense of warmth and comfort. This style is becoming increasingly popular. It is reflected by natural fabrics and materials and is emphasized by a sense of place (e.g. American, English, or French).

Furnishings are often made with stripped or antique pine or are sometimes made from maple, oak or wicker. Some pieces of wood furniture might be painted (blue is a popular color for this). Some other types of furnishing materials that are returning for a more back-to-nature feel are rattan, wrought iron, distressed wood, teak and even log. If metals are used with these types of materials, they often have an antiqued or rusty looking finish to them.

Although the Country style was inspired by traditional styles, with time it is becoming more contemporary and floral fabrics (such as those created by designer Laura Ashley) are popular, as are vintage fabrics and laces. Preferred colors are off-whites, apple green, blues, pinks and pastel colors and earthy colors such as autumn reds, oranges and yellows. Often beams on the ceiling are exposed, or the ceiling may even be made of cedar. Flooring is often pine or hardwood or stone or tile while window coverings are often wooden blinds or shutters.

Accessories are typically items from nature such as wreaths made from twigs or berries, dried flowers (which are quickly being replaced by fresh flowers), birds nests, sea shells, bowls of fresh fruit, displays of fresh vegetables, etc. Antiques and vintage accessories are also popular such as vintage signs or toys. Additionally, crafts are playing a part in country decorating (particularly quilts).

American Country

American Country style celebrates the spirit of America and started becoming popular just over 25 years ago (around bicentennial time). This style is charming, warm, relaxed, comfortable and eclectic and honors handcrafted items, memorabilia, past and simple pleasures and traditions. Wicker chairs, twig furniture, stripped or antique pine, painted furnishings, Shaker cabinets, and floral upholstered furnishings can all be found in American Country homes. Common fabric choices are linen, vintage cottons, lace or aged leather. Floor coverings may be wood or tile floors with hooked or homespun area rugs. Wall coverings can range from a pastel painted wall, to a wall that has been stenciled in places (such as on the borders), to wallpapered.

Quilts, throws, cushions made with weathered fabrics, duck decoys, vintage signs, game boards, wooden trunks, vintage clothing and any objects made by American ancestors are popular accessories used within this style. Even the Southwestern influence of Native American items including motifs, or cowhides and bright colors are considered part of the American Country style.

English Country

English Country is a relaxed, comfortable and unpretentious style, yet is somewhat more cluttered. In English Country style, you will find mainly pine furniture, and overstuffed upholstered furnishings in casual pastel colors in chintz fabrics. Floral patterns are extremely popular (including the Laura Ashley type look as mentioned earlier) as are paisleys. Furnishings in the kitchen may include a large pine kitchen table and open china cabinet displaying dishes with a mismatch of chairs (there could be a couple of antique chairs, and a couple of British Colonial style chairs, mixed with some pine chairs, etc.). The furniture is normally solid and sturdy and, as mentioned, made from pine (or it can be made from oak).

Colors in English Country style are normally soft and/or natural (such as off whites, pale yellows, mossy greens, earthy reds and taupes). Open beamed ceilings and whitewashed walls are trademarks of the English Country look. The English decorate and accessorize with more of an eclectic style – mixing antique pieces, collectibles, Chinese porcelain, fancy tea pots, blue and white china, stacked books and mementos, with newer items.

French Country

French Country style is growing in popularity. It is warm, inviting and casual, but unlike English Country, the colors are much more vibrant with blues and yellows dominating, and reds and greens also commonly used (influenced by colors of the Provencal countryside). Furniture is often made out of chestnut, walnut or pine and although most of the furniture is fairly simple, chair legs are often curved. Some popular French Country furniture pieces are: an armoire (sometimes painted), sleigh bed or a white painted iron bed (with bed canopies or curtains), long walnut dining table with mismatched chairs, skirted round tables, buffets, bench with a floral upholstered seat and in a living room you may find classic Louis IV pieces.

Some other pieces commonly seen in a French Country style home are a wrought iron chandelier, French doors and copper pots hanging from pot racks. Common fabrics used are lace and linens. Bedding is often traditional white with pillowcases trimmed in lace and embroidered. Popular patterns in fabrics are checks, florals and toile de Jouy (which has scenic designs in contrasting and vibrant colors). Wall to wall carpet is not commonly used with this style and normally rough textures are used for walls and floors including stone, slate or brick tiles or ceramic tiles (sometimes with area rugs covering the flooring). Walls may also be stenciled or finished with a plastering look or whitewashed or colorwashed. Popular accessories are blue and white Chinese pottery, copper pots, baskets, wine racks, candelabras, dried flowers and collections of glass bottles (such as perfume bottles).