Decorating Styles PART V: Updating any Style

Decorating Styles 

    by Powell Brower Home 

During the last few days, Mom has covered a host of different styles.  We've covered Traditional, Contemporary, Eclectic and Country.  This theme could continue for weeks - getting more granular with Coastal, Vintage, Bohemian and everything in between.  But that's going too far down the rabbit hole   I'd like to wrap this up and talk about how all of these themes blend into personal style. Any one of these attributes can personalize your look:

The most popular styles today seem to be transitional and eclectic.  Less of a commitment to one particular style over another and more friendly towards blending different styles.  Our friendster and taste-maker Christine of the glamorous Bijou and Boheme aptly said she despised the word eclectic.  We really associated with that comment, not because we despise the word, but because I feel like we limit ourselves when we label everything.

Boho Chic.  Vintage Modern.  Modern English (no wait, that's a band).  Rustic Traditional.  Farmhouse Glam.  Tailored Coastal. Equestrian Prep

The funny thing is, with ubiquity of blogs and the affordability the DIY scene has provided, almost all styles nowadays are collected, contrived, mixed and eclectic at some level.  Craigslist and eBay makes high-style accessible.  The world is adapting a varied style and we, as evolved human beings, are less likely to follow one style 'blindly'.  We appreciate more, we like a variety of things and we break rules.  Decorating rules can be outdated, just like the no-white after Labor Day rule!  Specifically the rule about not mixing finishes or old with new.  Some rules beg to be broken. Lonny did a great article on which rules to break here.  One of the telltale signs of someone who is timid in design is matchy-matchy.  It shows a lack of individuality to their decor.

Popular designers like Nate Berkus and Emily Henderson have made their names by popularizing a collected look on the average wo[man's] salary. Mom recently quoted a super-poignant article pointing out that America hasn't been this obsessed with decor since the 1950's. When women primped and fluffed their homes and spent their days making it suitable for receiving company.  But design is more affordable and approachable than it's ever been.

We are here because we love style.  We constantly hone our own style.  And we appreciate the style of many different categories.  We're in the midst of a movement focused on mixing old and new and the voyage to find one's personal style.  This personalization movement even carries over to food.  The emphasis being put on buying local and buying handmade.  Even fair-trade.  A deeper connection to our nourishment and surroundings and an appreciation for unique.

              Part V: Updating any style

Have you ever walked into a home and thought "Oh my God, this home is decorated to the nine's.  But probably about 10 years out of date."  We can really appreciate the time and effort that went into feathering a nest, but everyone needs a little updating now and then.

One of the best ways to do that is by researching and implementing current color schemes.  

The addition of relevant fabrics will dial up any room to current almost immediately. Pillows are the easiest thing to add!

Paying attention to trends in metal hardware.  Just about five years ago, the decor world heaved a sigh of relief when they finally finished updating all of the shiny golden brass fixtures to stainless steel and brushed nickel.  But knock knock, it's BAAAAACK!  This time the focus is on the less in-your-face polished brass finish and more of it's subtle cousin, brushed brass or gold tones.  It can be exhausted to keep up, not to mention bank-breaking.  

Jewelry and accessories will always bring a simple black dress up to date like adding luxe finishes will do.  Some glass tile here, new lighting or some stylish mirrors there will really play it up.

But above all else, be true to what you like when you attempt to update your home.  Real Simple put out a great article about looking for a unifying theme in the things you already have and making it work.

Now that your brains are sufficiently fried - happy weekend to you all!

-Bethany

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Decorating Styles Series kickoff

Decorating Styles 

    by Powell Brower Home   

          

When I was in the decorating business between 1990- 2002 the prevailing 4 decorating styles were Traditional, Contemporary, Country and Eclectic. Fairly simple and clear-cut.  Now there seems to be dozens of styles.  HGTV defines 18 different styles including Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Asian, French, English Country, Shabby Chic, Moroccan, Tropical-to name a few. 

This is a bit complex for the lay person, so we will simply the characteristics in this series.  We feel a need to define the basic design styles today as a primer for our clients to help them decide on their own style.  

Real Simple names 4 current styles: Sophisticated Classic, Modern Graphic, Cozy Casual or Vintage Eclectic.  Sounds like categories a retail store invents to sell it's products. It's just not that easy to put yourself in one category, is it?  There are some basic premises that our tastes fall into.  Once we define those tastes, we can mix in some others.

Part 1: Traditional

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This style encompasses design from all continents  based on heritage, antiques, and history.The most popular styles are British Colonial revival, 18th Century English, 19th Century Neoclassical, and French country. In a traditional room you will find these characteristics:

• formal
• symmetrical
• matched sets of furniture
• curvilinear lines,
• rich fabrics, multi layers, patterns, florals
• dark woods
• vintage antiques
• rolled arms, heavy padding
• authentic antiques, historical accents
• heavy window treatments
• embellishments, trims, fringe

Have you heard the term New Traditionall?  This is an updated version of traditional, or transitional,characterized by more attention to comfort than formality, deeper seats in the sofas and chairs, mixing periods and finishes, using reproductions, media cabinets, updated rugs in place of orientals, lighter window treatments... Something like this for example:

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Traditional Home magazine showcased ten NewTrad designers in their Spring 2012 issue.  Looking at their rooms you'd swear they were more contemporary; and that's exactly what "new traditional" is; a mix of traditional and more up to date styles. 

Is  your style  Traditional?
Stay tuned for Decorating Styles Part 2: Contemporary


Nancy

Check out the entire series here:

Traditional Style
Contemporary Style
Country Style
Eclectic Style
Updating Any Style