| Knowing your preferred decorating style is the best | | | | United States in the 1780s. Actually, in many respects it |
| way to approach a decorating project from a point of | | | | is a natural extension of early century Palladianism. |
| knowledge. The information will help you to tackle your | | | | Because the Rococo style never quite caught on in |
| own decorating project or to speak confidently to a | | | | the United States, it was pretty much over looked and |
| decorator or designer when communicating your vision | | | | the next style, Neo-Classicism, went back to the |
| for your space. In part three we will look at a few of | | | | Palladianism style for its inspiration. Now, Roman |
| the decorative styles contributed by the 18th Century | | | | architecture was taking center stage again, but, unlike |
| and begin the Mid 19th Century. This five part series on | | | | Palladianism, ancient Greek architecture was also |
| interior decorating styles will give you an overview of | | | | included. Neo-Classical interiors were elegant and are |
| contributions offered to the decorating industry. | | | | well suited for traditional style homes. The |
| In the 18th century two styles of architecture and | | | | Neo-Classical style had lightness to it and featured a |
| decoration dominated the first half of the century. The | | | | great deal of linear decoration. The walls were mostly |
| first style was Palladianism. Palladianism was derived | | | | divided by a dado or a chair rail. Essentially, a dado |
| from the writings and engravings of the 16th century | | | | divides a wall horizontally and is usually about 36 inches |
| Italian architect, Andrea Palladio. This particular style | | | | from the floor. Its purpose is to keep the backs of |
| was characterized by bold, austere, and large | | | | chairs from damaging the wall. The walls of a |
| architectural elements such as Venetian windows. | | | | Neo-Classical styled space usually were covered with |
| Venetian windows were used a great deal by Palladio. | | | | a flat paint or patterned wall paper. Furniture pieces |
| This particular window is arched with two lower | | | | used were embellished with painted swags of flowers, |
| rectangular openings on each side. | | | | ornamental bows, and cupids, and other mythological |
| During the 18th century, floors were often bare with | | | | scenes. Solid or veneered mahogany wood was |
| sisal matting or oriental carpets. The ceilings were | | | | typically used. The windows were treated with |
| coffered with plaster moldings. A coffered ceiling is a | | | | swaged and tailed drapes. The fabrics used for |
| ceiling that consists of recessed panels in the shape of | | | | drapes were not heavy in weight such as tapestries |
| a square, rectangle, or octagon and is usually trimmed | | | | and woolen velvets. Simpler fabrics were used. |
| with ornamental motifs. This type of ceiling actually | | | | Neo-Classicism preferred light weight silks, printed |
| dates back as far as the 6th century as both a | | | | cottons and sheers. These types of window |
| decorative element and as a means of lightening the | | | | treatments are popular in what we call Contemporary |
| load of a heavy marble or stone ceiling. Back then you | | | | spaces. |
| would only see a coffered ceiling in the homes of the | | | | During the 19th Century interior decoration was still |
| very rich, but today, coffered ceilings are available to | | | | basically Neo-Classical. The predominant styles that |
| everyone and can even be purchased in kits. It is a | | | | emerged during the early 19th century were the |
| popular look in libraries. The walls were paneled and | | | | Empire and Regency styles. These styles were in |
| painted with a flat paint usually in grey or green or | | | | celebration of Napoleon's conquests which provided |
| hand painted wall papers. The walls were meant to be | | | | military motifs. The Empire style originated in France in |
| the backdrop for paintings, prints, or engravings. The | | | | the 1790s. The basic architectural style of the French |
| Palladianism style featured furniture made of solid or | | | | palaces was Classical. Fixtures and furniture included |
| veneered walnut. Veneered furniture is actually very | | | | laurel wreaths, medallions, and imperial eagles, swans, |
| well made. The thin wood overlay is fragile in its natural | | | | and lions. The Regency style drew inspiration from |
| state or by itself; because it's generally only 1/64 inch | | | | Greek ornament and incorporated elements of |
| thick, but when it's properly glued to another surface it | | | | Chinoiserie. And, both of the styles saw an increase in |
| becomes part of that surface and has considerable | | | | the use of cut pile carpets. The ceilings were built |
| strength. Special care must be taken when sanding | | | | lower and usually there was a medallion in the center |
| because it is so thin you can sand right through it. But, | | | | where the chandelier hung. Flat paint was still used on |
| the good news is that it doesn't take much sanding to | | | | the walls in addition to faux finish paint treatments |
| smooth it, because it is sliced with an extremely sharp | | | | becoming popular. Faux marble and woodgrained |
| knife. Palladianism style furniture typically consists of | | | | finishes were used on doors and other wood work. |
| tripod tables, bureau bookcases, and upholstered chairs | | | | Fabrics in the Regency style were light weight silks |
| usually in a fabric that coordinates with the window | | | | and floral patterned chintzes. The chaise lounge |
| treatment. | | | | became popular. Upholstered chairs, settees and sofas |
| The second distinctive style of Early 18th century was | | | | were very generously stuffed, and most times |
| Rococo. This style was lighter, exotic, and it seemed | | | | deep-buttoned or tufted. And a new development of |
| almost frivolous in appearance. Rococo was | | | | permanent groupings of chairs and tables to facilitate |
| recognized because of the use of Rocaille, Chinoiserie | | | | conversation became more prevalent. |
| (Oriental art and motifs), Turkish and Indian figures. | | | | During the Mid 19th Century the color palette of |
| Roacille is another word for Rococo which is the Italian | | | | interiors began to broaden and include more vibrant |
| word for style. It is the most opulent excessive version | | | | colors. What may seem over the top and excessive |
| of the Louis XV form. It is characterized by | | | | to us today was considered chic and sophisticated in |
| exaggerated curves and extensive carving, sculpting, | | | | the mid 19th century. As with most things, eventually |
| and ornamentation, most commonly including scrolls | | | | the color palette and excessive interiors became less |
| and seashells. Flowers, foliage and light scroll work | | | | ostentatious. Also, an eclectic mix of decorative styles |
| was often used. A popular color for the walls was light | | | | became fashionable. |
| yellow. However, the Rococo style was not very | | | | We will explore more of the Eclectic style in part 4 of |
| popular in America. | | | | the interior decorating style series as we continue to |
| The Late 18th Century saw a predominant style called | | | | talk about the Mid 19th Century and late 19th Century. |
| Neo-Classicism. It first emerged in the 1750's in Europe. | | | | ©Rena Bullard 2010 |
| Neo-classicism was a reaction to the flamboyant and | | | | This article may be reprinted, in its entirety, with |
| frivolous style of Rococo. Neo-Classicism reached the | | | | copyright information. |