Tuesday, July 29, 2008

What's your Decorating style?

Gosh, there are so many different styles to choose from. I'm going to list the most popular and a brief description of each. I would have to say my decorating style would be more contemporary with a little country mixed in. But ever since I have started blogging and visiting others blogs I would say my style has evolved quite a bit. I am going for more Cottage Chic/Country Chic look now. Also, the color white is becoming one of my favorites. There are No places in my home that I have just white and now I am wishing that I did. I use to think of it as boring, but now I am loving it. Thank you bloggers for all your lovely inspiration!

I'm going to list just the major decorating styles, so if you have something else then please list it.

So, share your favorite decorating style below!
Also, please share a favorite room in your home that you have decorated. What colors and furniture did you use, what room is it, why is it your favorite, any good tips while designing and anything else you would like to share in comments.


Country Style
Country style is trademarked by is simplicity and practical use of decorations and furniture. It is the type of home that is well balanced and is steady through the best of times and the worst of times. And its owner wishes for a simple and rural life. Some characteristic features of the country style are handcrafted furniture, wood planked floors, simple hung curtains and plain white walls. The plain white walls are accented by primary colors such as red, green and blue.


Cottage Style
A colorful, comfortable look characterized by painted and/or decorated furniture with graceful lines, textural elements like baskets, beadboard walls and natural fiber rugs and window shades, weathered finishes and colors taken straight from a lush flower garden.



Contemporary Style
Contemporary style is defined as clear and straightforward interior designing. Contemporary style is characterized by linear and geometric shapes and design. A contemporary home is usually white accented by black or any darker bold colors. The contemporary style is a style which showcases a certain object in the room. Loud and bold colors breathe life into a white contemporary room. An example of a contemporary room is an art museum or a fresh urban studio apartment.






Colonial Style
The colonial style is characteristic of bold colors and attractive décor. The colonial style is a mixture of the world of ideas, philosophy, science and nature. A colonial style home is one that has either painted floors or stylish Oriental rugs. In a colonial home wainscoting is a prevalent method of wall treatments. An obvious example of a colonial home is that of George Washington's home. Although the colonial style is not very popular today, there are still a few older homes that have this décor and look very well with it.


English Style
Interiors feature heavy use of wood, collections and patterned fabrics in traditional colors. Wood is used for floors, wainscoting and intricately-carved moldings. Fabrics consist of plaids, florals, paisleys and striped prints in color combinations of hunter green, navy blue, red and gold.
Common collections include delicate china and silver pieces.

French-Country
Rustic versions of formal French furnishings of the 1600 and 1700s, such as the Louis XIV and Louis XV styles. Early French country pieces were considered peasant furniture. Furniture pieces are left in their natural state and exude a handcrafted flair. Chairs feature caning for the backs and seats instead of heavy upholstery. Typical colors used in French country are deep and rich: Mediterranean blue, sunny yellow, terra-cotta red and green. Natural materials like stone and terra-cotta are used abundantly, in addition to wire and wrought iron.





Swedish Style
Are you in love with white linen and a pale color palette? Do you adore light woods, clean design, and hints of glamour? If so, Swedish style might be for you.
The roots of the style go back over 200 years when King Gustav of Sweden redecorated his Stockholm palace in a pared-down version of Louis XIV furnishings all the rage in Paris. Not surprisingly, the furnishings became known as Gustavian -- a term that is still used today.




Old-World Style
The hallmark of Old World design is a comfortable, broken-in look that shows the wear and tear of usage. Textured walls, hand-trawled windows and walls and natural materials like tumbled marble exemplify the style. The finish of the materials is extremely important--distressed furniture and matte, honed finishes are preferable to highly polished, reflective surfaces. Colors are muted and subdued.




Traditional Style
The traditional style rooms and homes are open and allow air to pass freely throughout. A traditional style imitates the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is common for rooms to be either painted in bold colors or papered with bold wallpaper. Although it is common for the traditional style to have boldly painted rooms, it is customary to use white paint in coordinates with the richer and bolder colors as an accent.




Victorian Style
A furniture and architecture style named for England's Queen Victoria that was very popular through the latter half of the 1800s. Usually constructed of mahogany, walnut and rosewood in dark finishes, which were often highlighted with elaborate carved floral designs. Common elements of this style include oval chair backs and marble tops on tables and dressers. Fabrics and wall coverings feature bold patterns in strong colors. Draperies and upholstered pieces are embellished with extensive trimmings and fringe.



5 comments:

  1. My home is rather eclectic but I guess I lean toward contemporary but my bedroom is French Budoir, lol, for lack of a better word! I have a Ethan Allen sleigh bed, antique dresser, desk and nightstand with an antique cherub lamp. The comforter is red velvet, walls are white but adorned with various French fashion prints. On top of the armoire is my stack of books about France and fashion. My bathroom is black & white toille, my own white corset, black stocking and pearls hang from a silk hanger on an antique glass knob over the toilet. The whole thing is very girly, elegant and romantic, I love it!

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  2. Wow... love your style. Also planning to have some change in my present home decoration style.

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  3. everything mixed into one is me! I love them all. I can't just decide on one!!! Great photos :)

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  4. Well, I'd have to say French Country with a little Swedish and British colonial and country, etc. etc. hard to pin it down!
    great post!!
    and thanks for the comment.

    Joni

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