Good Afternoon! 2/19/14
Today we are:
• Learning about decorating styles
• Tips on how to figure out your style
• If time: finish color schemes as needed
Decorating Styles
Traditional Style
Traditional decorating is calm, orderly, and
predictable. There is nothing wild or chaotic
in a traditional room.
Furnishings are classic and might feel
outdated. Nothing is a surprise. Pieces
match and are consistent.
Furniture and accessories are place in pairs and
centered in the room. There is nothing out of
place or of a different style. Everything has the
look that it goes together.
Traditional rooms are not ostentations but
rather somewhat casual. Furniture pieces are
often reproductions. Modern, eclectic pieces
have no room in a traditional space.
Here are some of the elements of a
traditional room.
Upholstered furniture in a traditional room
exhibits classic lines and understated details. It is
functional, unfussy, and restful looking. Edges
are soft, smooth, and blend into the whole.
In general, a traditional room will use a mix of
vertical lines with more restful horizontal lines.
Gentle curves are seen in furniture, pillows, and
accessories.
Fabrics in a traditional room are generally
neither too shiny nor too textured. Florals, plain
colors, muted plaids, understated stripes,
geometrics, tone-on-tone and small all-over
patterns are common.
The overall ambiance of traditional decor is
homey, understated, and non-jarring.
Contemporary
Simple, subtle
sophistication, texture
and clean lines help to
define contemporary
style decorating.
Interiors showcase
space rather than
things. By focusing on
color, space, and
shape, contemporary
interiors are sleek and
fresh.
Color
Neutrals, black, and white
are the main colors in
contemporary style
interiors. The palette is
often punched up and
accented with bright and
bold color. Black is often
used to ground and define
a contemporary style
room.
Line and Space
The most obvious and distinctive element of a
contemporary style interior design is line. It's
found in architectural details, use of bold color
blocks, high ceilings, bare windows, and
geometric shapes in wall art and sculpture. Each
piece stands out as individual and unique.
Contemporary Design FurnitureSmooth, clean, geometric shapes are
essential for contemporary style furniture
pieces.
Furniture pieces
should be simple and
uncluttered, without
curves or decoration.
Sofas, chairs, and
ottomans often have
exposed legs. Beds
and chairs usually
have no skirt, trim,
fringe, or tassels.
Pillows add a shot of color and texture in clean
geometric shapes.
Less is more! In a contemporary style interior, go
basic, bare, bold, and structural!
Video Break
• Finding your own style
• Which style shown do you like best?
– Think about it
– Share with partner
– Share with class
Cottage Style
Technically speaking,
Cottage Style isn’t
really a style. After all,
a cottage is meant to
be lived in, to be
enjoyed, and is usually
the recipient of all the
cast-offs from the real
home.
But Cottage furnishings
and accessories have
grown in popularity in
recent years. In Cottage
Style anything (and
everything) goes.
Cottage Furniture
The furniture in a
Cottage Style home
is often recycled,
purchased from a
flea market, or
collected from family
rejects.
Nothing really needs to match -- and it shouldn’t -yet the overall effect is charming and comfortable.
Reuse Vintage Items
In Cottage decor, pieces
are often adapted from
one use to another. For
example, a bench might
serve as a coffee table, an
old kitchen cupboard can
hide towels in a bathroom,
or a kitchen table might
become a desk.
Color and Pattern
While there can be many
colors and patterns in a
cottage style setting, it’s
good to have a unifying
theme. English Cottage
suggests pinks and
greens in floral prints.
Rustic style, with twig
wood furniture, works
well with forest colors—
greens, rust, and golden
tones.
Accessories
Any odd thing can serve as an
accessory in a Cottage Style
home, so be on the lookout
wherever you go. Charming
plates, old hats, musical
instruments and interesting
frames become the center of
attention in a comfortable
cottage room. Antique shops,
tag sales, grandma’s attic, and
flea markets are all places to
find Cottage Style accessories.
Eclectic
This is a style that most people use. It is a
combination of many styles. Just choose your
favorite pieces to combine into a style all your
own.
Color
The palette can vary,
but it's best to stick
with a few neutrals to
help tie all the
elements together. In
the red and gold room
pictured, creams and
browns are used to
ground the palette so
the great design isn't
lost among the many
hues.
Lines, finishes and
materials of the
pieces in a room
are tied together
with paint or fabric.
Wrap Up
• Tips to find YOUR style
• Many quizzes online
– BHG
– HGTV
So…what style are YOU??