Adam style

Dec7

Architect Robert Adam (1728-1792) was one of the most prominent persons of English classicism. He came from an architect family and worked with his brother (James). Adam-style was named after him, which is still very popular in the Anglo-Saxon areas.
Adam was travelling for four years throughout Europe before began to work on getting familiar with architecture and culture of other countries. He spent two years in Rome studying the ruins of the classical world. He used the ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan architectural marks (medallion, vase, urn, vine scroll, sphynx, griffin etc.) on his buildings. Also used the style of Louis XVI. as source. In the first time, the Adam brothers got jobs only at the countryside, but later they were invited to London for several projects, practically they took part in the city-planning. Their unique decoration style was the key of their success. They paid attention not only for the outside of the buildings but the inner parts too: the elaborate plasterworks of ceilings and walls and rich classical decorations are still awe-inspiring. Furniture, carpets, lamps, fire places etc. designed by the Adam brothers were used in the interiors. They applied newly developed paints and created special color palettes: pea green, sky blue, lilac, bright pink, red-brown terracotta, lemon. Painted decoration elements were basic features of the style, e.g. swags and ribbons.
Their most well-known buildings: Edinburgh University Old College, Kedleston Hall, Kenwood House, Luton Hoo, Paxton House, Syon House etc. Their plans were published as a book. The style’s revival was in the late Victorian era.
This very classical style gives elegance but using it an inappropriate way makes the interior cluttered. It requires proficiency to be applied in the available interior, so ask for help of an interior designer.

Colonial style

Nov16

When the British conquered India in the 19th century, they founded colonies throughout the country. Many families moved there to perform tasks and for the hope of getting rich. But the climate of the continent was very unusual for them: suffocating hot air, monsoon rain, high humidity. The houses they built and also the furnishing served for ventilating cool breeze and sheltering from sunshine, this way making the surroundings more tolerable. Colonial style was born.
The most significant features of colonial architectural style are house-length verandas, where the outreached roof is supported by pillars, huge doors and windows with shutters and high ceiling. Houses are single-floor or two-storied.
They used local materials for furnishing. Dark brown (ebony, teak, mahogany) wooden floor and furniture are typical. Moving the air was solved by ventilating fans which were made of local, natural wood or grasses also. They even integrated decoration elements and patterns. The shapes of furniture however remained British. The seat and/or back is frequently wicker. Upholsteries are airy, usually white or beige. They guarded against insects with muslin curtains which were laid on the four-poster bed too. Walls are light (white, creme) which give contrast with dark furniture and feel cooling. Huge potted palms, ferns and other green plants were placed throughout the house.
They kept the typically British elegance and comfort. Sophisticated household objects made of porcelain, silver or crystal are inevitable. These were imported from the mother country. Clothes remained formal despite of hard conditions, just the used materials were lighter and mostly white.
Ask for help of an interior designer to realize the mood of colonial style in your home.

TV series

Nov13

Popular TV-series in authentical surroundings
– Poirot: art déco
– Downton Abbey: victorian
– Borgias: reneissance

Special color hues

Nov2

Hues of colors had several names over time. Some of them are slightly different from each other but fashion always dictates something new. It was the same case with historical styles. Classic and popular hues are used by several companies, but of course there are differences between the colors in spite of the same name. It matters on what kind of surface we use them: wall paint, fabrics, porcelain etc. Let’s see some examples:
Duck Egg Blue: it is a light, soft, mildly greenish blue color with a tint of grey. Its darker hues are pastel shades also. Originally it was used on Chinese porcelains, it came to Europe from there. The name was given after the color of Mallard duck’s egg. It fits for several styles and looks good in every room, creating a calming, friendly and inviting interior. Impossible to overdose.
British Racing Green: originally it is a deep, almost black color, the lighter and brighter hues of it are also widespread. As the name indicates, there is a connection with car racing, it was chosen for the color of Napier racing cars in 1903. Elegant, traditional, dark color deepening the space. Using on bigger surface requires appropriate lighting.
Wedgewood Blue: a light but quite bold blue color with a tint of grey and purple. It was named after the Wedgewood porcelain manufactory founded in 1759, which used this color hue on its matte surfaced products (jasperware). It creates an opulent mood but this can be heightened by combining with white. Airy but dominant hue.
Oxblood Red: a warm deep red color with dark brown and purplish tones. The name was firstly mentioned around 1700. It was a popular autumn-winter color, frequently used for traditional leather furniture. More elegant than most of the red hues, strong but not obtrusive. It has to be counterweighted when applied on a big surface (e.g. wall).
For choosing the proper color, if possible, take the object of which’s color we like. If this is impossible, ask for help of an interior designer-color adviser for the perfect choice.

Gobelin

Jul6

Gobelin tapestry got its name after the fabric painter family that had moved probably from Reims to Paris in the XVII. century – founding the famous weaving workshop. Louise XIV. raised it to a royal manufactory and supported the production. The technique itself is being used since the middle of the XV. century. Gobelin is an illustrated tapestry used primarily for covering the walls or the floor. Knight-era scenes, Biblical stories or allegories related to the customers were the most common illustrations. First the base material was wool, later then the carrier yarns were replaced to linen ones. In renaissance era, golden and silver threads were also used. As time went by, the technique continuously developed, the result became more colorful and flexible. The loom itself could be horizontal or vertical also.
Petit point is a handwork simulating this weaving technique, started at the XVIII. century in France. Its base material is silk or linen, but they are completely overlaid with embroidery. The topic can be practically anything. Upholstered furniture, cushions, table linen and female handbags were decorated with this method – such as everyday consumer products.
Conservation, professional cleaning and handling of such an antique tapestry is an important issue, since they are quite vulnerable, they can be damaged or even destroyed during use or incorrect storage. If we own such an antique one, let’s ask for the recommendations of a professional. Of course, modern gobelin imitations or gobelin-like mechanical products can be purchased in the shops. Cushions or blankets decorated with gobelin have returned to the fashion. Weaving and colors can easily tell us, if the product is not antique, anyhow they can provide the same feeling in a proper classic style interior.
If you would like an antique or new gobelin in your home, ask for help from an interior designer for the optimal arrangement and usage.

Historical colors

Jun15

In the case of a low-budget renovation, where only a wall painting is possible, or wallpapering, maybe changing one or two furniture, colors have more important role. Their power is frequently underestimated, some people are afraid of them also. They are afraid that a stronger color might be boring soon, so they decide to choose white or pastel shades. The desired style is tried to be reached by excessive amount of decorating objects.
It is quite easy with classic historical styles. Every era had characteristic color hues which determined the mood of interiors of that time. Of course, all the colors of the rainbow were used then also, though there was always a shade of color which was among the most popular in its era. If these colors are used during renovating, a success can be reached with less effort. Although the mixed paint by a color code is more expensive than the ready-made versions, it is worth to spend it for the effect. In the case of wallpaper, pattern can be so important too.
Some extracted examples: using of ebony black, gold and golden yellow was typify Empire style. Vine red, olive green and warm dark browns were common in Victorian style interiors. We associate to bubble gum pink, butter yellow and light turquoise blue from the 50s. Edwardian style is characterized by magnolia, bluish grey and off-white.
Don’t afraid of color painting the ceiling, doors and windows or even moldings, beside the walls. Draw inspiration from the pictures of interiors of the given era. Surviving buildings are commonly restored with using historically accurate colors, so we can see the total effect. Let’s be daring because painting is the easiest and cheapest way of makeover, so even if we make a mistake, it is remediable easily.
Ask for help of a color adviser/interior designer if you have doubts about the proper color-usage.

Tiffany glass

Mar30

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) is an American glass painter, the inventor of Tiffany glass and an outstanding artist of the secession era. He gained international fame at the World Fare in Paris at 1900, where he exhibited his own made, iridescent and opalescent glass. Revolutionized stain glass production: instead of the plumb rail technique, he edged the glass parts with yellow copper tape. By soldering these to each-other, fine, curved forms could be realized.
General characteristic of the products designed and manufactured by him is that they consist of many small glass parts and very colorful, images are highly detailed and summarized: they follow the general ruling style elements of secession. He produced glass windows, lamps and jewellery as well.
At the production of coloured glass, several metals are mixed in the melted glass. Each and every metal has its own color effect. Chromium results green, iron results brown, cobalt causes bright blue and indium provides yellow glass. Different oxides of the metals also produce different colors, thus the palette of hues are very wide.
Tiffany objects can be the focus points of our home. Although they are beautiful, don’t overdose them. One-two bigger item and some smaller can be fully enough in one space. They easily dominate their environment by the shining colors and heaviness. In case of lapms, we should consider the projected, colourful light when we turn them on. The situation is the same with stain glass windows: it seriously colors the incoming light.
When purchasing genuine Tiffany items, ask help from an expert to exclude potential fake ones. If you would like to turn your home more colourful by a Tiffany object, ask the help of an interior designer for planning.

Art Déco

Jan22

Art Deco inspirations

Shaker style

Jan6

The shakers are a religious community established in the 18th century. The members moved from England to North America. They are famous about their love of peace, puritanism and the equality between the genders.
Shaker style is simple, practical and thrifty. All household objects are produced by themselves. Forms are determined by function. Ornamentation hardly used, if they do, they are most often the heart, hand and star motif. Paints are made of natural materials. Most characteristic colors are rust brown, aquamarine, ocher, sage green, claret and beige. Most of the fabrics used are made of wool, cotton or linen, which are simple and monochrome textiles, sometimes with a small chequered pattern. From warn fabrics they sew patchwork blankets or rag rugs.
Furnitures are simple, wooden ones. Door panels of wardrobes have frame insert structure. Ladder backed chairs can be hanged up when out of use. They make wall-mounted hangers on which almost anything can be hung securely. Also characteristic item is the thin sheet box, which has a round or oval shape and requires high skills to prepare.
The function and simplicity oriented way of thinking of shakers can be actual even todays modern world. Kitchen furnishing in shaker style can be a definitive element of classic or rural style kitchens. Placing some shaker storage boxes can decorate a work room, living room or bathroom. Using their color palette we can realize a warm, friendly interior with natural feeling.
Ask an interior designer to help implementing shaker style in your home.