Interior Decorating Themes

Interior Decorating Themes
By Kathy Iven, Fri Dec 9th

There are a variety of decorating themes from formal to informaland everything in between. Which one best describes yourdecorating style?

Formal Traditional Furnishings and designs from the Renaissance,Baroque, Early and Late Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival andVictorian eras. This style is shown with fine furnishings,elegant, refined and exquisite wall coverings, elaboratemoldings, formal window treatments and Oriental rugs.

Informal Traditional The same eras as above but this style hasless refined versions of furnishings. There are more touchableelements, more earthy colors, and some urban archaeology withoutrestoration is common. This style is comfortable and inviting.

American Country This style holds furnishings from the 17thcentury through the present, all simple with the appearance ofhand-crafted work. Two versions are popular today: UpscaleCountry with the use of more tactile, comfortable elements andvery close to Informal Traditional but with a clearly countrytheme in all the furnishings; and Rustic Country, which sports areused, recycled quality. The wall coverings and windowtreatments set the theme and the furnishings have ajust-found-it-at-the-antique-market feel.

Country French This style is exhibited in Classic Rococo,Neoclassic or Empire-inspired country furnishings. Wallcoverings include florals, ticking, toile, and moirés dependingon the level of formality.

Arts & Crafts This simple style is also known as Early Modern orOrganic Modern. The era focuses on hard, stained oak furniturewith simple, straight lines.

International Modern This is a look of ultra simplicity, hardlines, and smooth surfaces contrasted with abstract patterns andunusual textures.

Environmental Designs in this theme contain colors, textures andvery subtle patterns of the earth.

Romantic Victorian This style still is a favored theme for roomswith lots of pattern featuring English garden florals in dreamycolors. Both fabric and wall coverings can be patterned, andclutter decorating - especially with accessories - is part ofthis look.

Ethnic and Primitive

This masculine approach has many faces fromAfrican to the American Southwest, from the lodge-look to theSouth Seas. Heavy or tactile textures coupled with patterns thatare charming because of their lack of sophistication fit here.

Fabric and Wall Covering Themes This is a wonderful way todecorate - by selecting a great fabric or wall covering thatinherently features a theme. Some examples include sea andshore, sports, outdoor recreation, kitchen or domestic elements,juvenile elements, feminine floral themes, exotic designs fromfar away lands, and more.

About the author:About the Author Kathy Iven, Columbus, OH kathy@fabricfarms.comKathy Iven is the owner of Fabric Farms Interiors, located inHilliard, OH. Fabric Farms Interiors specializes in home décorfabrics and trims. They also offer custom drapery, bedding andupholstery services. The company was founded in 1971 and is thelargest home décor fabric store in Central Ohio. To learn more,visit www.fabricfarms.com All rights reserved.