Design Tips

The first step in home decorating is to choose a general style. Do you want a look that's traditional, country, contemporary or an eclectic mix of styles? Keep in mind, there is no right or wrong style. There is only the look you want, that suits your taste and lifestyle. Following is an overview of style categories to help you get started.

Traditional usually has a formal or dressy look. Mahogany, cherry and other rich-tone woods - often carved, embossed or inlaid - are a staple of this style, as are fabrics such as damask, jacquard and tapestry in jewel-tone or muted shades.
Some of the timeless hallmarks of traditional style include the Queen Anne double curved cabriole leg; the fretwork, scrolls, and ball-and-claw foot legs of Chippendale; as well as Goddard's block-front designs with concave shell carvings and ogee feet. In addition, other classic details are resurging in popularity, such as the architectural lines and black and gold highlights of Biedermeier (or Neoclassic); and the graceful lines and ornamental accents defined as Louis-Philippe.

*NOTE: If you like traditional, but prefer a more relaxed look, there are many classic designs available today in lighter oak or white washed woods, or in more casual upholsteries such as cotton and chenille.

Country furniture, also known as Provincial, is simpler in design and more utilitarian than traditional pieces. The favored woods of this category are pine and oak, in finishes that include washed, pickled, rubbed, distressed and painted - all over, on certain areas (such as table bases), or in decorative touches such as small bouquets. Upholsteries like big plaids and bold stripes in bright or rich hues complement the handcrafted look of country wood items. One of the most recognizable examples of country style is the Windsor chair, characterized by a saddle-shaped seat into which the legs, back and arm supports are mortised.

Victorian, or Nostalgic, draws inspiration from Rococo and Louis XV designs utilizing exaggerated scale and curvature, heavy carvings and lush fabrics. Mahogany and oak woods are common in this style, along with velvet and velour upholsteries accented by braid or tassel trim.
Today, this style is beautifully illustrated in the reproduction of the mansion bed with its towering headboard and ornately carved detail.

Contemporary style is best described as functional beauty. Comfort and convenience are its key elements. A broad variety of woods are used in contemporary furniture, as well as materials such as glass, chrome, brass and lucite. Fine clean lines, gentle curves and minimal decorative detail are solid characteristics to look for, while fabrics lean to textures and weaves in solids, stripes and prints. Colors are either neutral or vibrant in tone. Leather is also a favorite upholstery for contemporary designs..

Eclectic is not a style in itself, but rather a mixture of compatible styles. Carefully done, it has a wonderful feel, otherwise it becomes a hodgepodge of pieces. For instance, you can create a country look with a mixture of French Provincial and American Colonial furniture, or a traditional setting with a blend of Queen Anne and Chippendale pieces. You can even combine classic with contemporary. One or two pieces of Victorian furniture make a dramatic point of interest in a modern room. The key to eclectic is to avoid a 50-50 mixture. Instead, aim for a 2/3 to 1/3 mix of styles. Color is important too. The controlled use of one or two colors, in upholsteries or accents like throw pillows, provides a common element to unite the various periods.

Transitional style is understated in form and fashion, allowing it to be adapted to various decors. For example, a transitional sofa can be dressed up to complement a more formal setting, or casually accented to suit a contemporary room. Woods are warm in tone, but usually not too dark, and upholstered pieces feature solid colors or simple patterns that are easy to coordinate. Shaker styling, with its straight-forward unornamented design, exemplifies transitional fashion, as does the heavy squared form of Mission furniture. Many leather pieces also fit well into this category.

Lifestyle is a new category that has arisen in response to the home becoming a center of activity. Today's open floor plans allow space to be structured so that rooms work together and are multi-purpose. Living areas may include not only a home theater, but a computer desk or armoire, as well. And dining areas, no longer reserved just for special occasions, are as likely to be used for helping the kids with homework as for meals and snacks.

While existing furniture styles work for lifestyle settings, a few new designs have come into being, including slipcover-look upholstery and painted or color-stained case pieces in hues such as red, blue and purple.

Choosing a general style is important because it establishes unity and a whole-house look, but you can still have variety and individuality in rooms with different color schemes or themes based on art, nature, sports, hobbies and more. Once you've decided on a style, you're ready to move forward with your decorating plan..