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Defining Furniture Styles

Author : AlexFc Thomason


         


While there are obviously a nearly infinite myriad of styles when it comes to interior decoration, some styles have stood the test of time and taste to become firmly situated as the prime genres of popular decor. If you're planning on simply redecorating a room or totally overhauling your home, it can help to be versed in the basics of these choices.

Let's review and define these prevalent styles.

Contemporary

Contemporary decor, also known as "Modern," is a blanket term encompassing a variety of styles pioneered in the latter half of the 20th Century. Some aspects of Modern furniture are rooted in the architectural styles of the early 20th century, especially in relation to Scandinavian and German designs of that period.

Visually, Contemporary decor is associated with bold lines and geometric shapes, as well as stark, muted colors-primarily black but also beige and white.

Although its roots stretch back for nearly 100 years, Contemporary decor lives up to its name with a sleek, striking appearance. In addition to the simple yet bold designs of Contemporary furniture and accessories, the overall aesthetic appeal of this style is greatly enhanced by the use of sharp color contrast. For example, when black is used as the grounding decor tone, walls might be painted a neutral color such as beige, making for a strong and elegant overall appearance.

Contemporary decor is a favorite with many consumers, as it is equally suitable for a home or office.

Traditional

Traditional decor emphasizes a timeless appearance, created by the use of classic colors and fabrics to develop an enduring theme.

Heavily detailed furniture featuring soft curves and attractive symmetry is the best choice for creating a Traditional theme. This theme is enhanced by the use of a simple, gentle color scheme. Walls may be painted in soft tones, or else covered in tastefully patterned wallpaper. Textured wallpaper is also a common element in Traditional decor.

Furniture and accessories featuring deep, inviting colors such as dark red or dark green lend depth to the appearance of Traditional decor. This is further enhanced by the generous use of fabrics throughout the area. Fabrics such as velvet are common fixtures of Traditional decor, and can be incorporated into drapes, curtains, or swags. Ornate tassels and ties for the curtains complete the Traditional look.

Old World

Old World decor is most readily identifiable by a rustic charm rooted in natural materials. For example, exposed ceiling beams and painted plaster walls are common features of Old World decor. Carved wood is also prominent, and can be found anywhere from inlaid designs in a wall border to intricately carved furniture, such as kitchen chairs with vertical slats and woven seats.

Old World decor embraces an eclectic color scheme, and can incorporate golds, rusts, bright reds, yellows, and various shades of greens and blues. Furniture and accessories are often accentuated by the use of stark tones like black or grey.

Rustic furniture and accessories can further contribute to an Old World environment. These can either be genuine antiquities or newer models designed to replicate the look of the originals. Some examples would be muted "rusty" metal light fixtures and fireplace accessories, or even decorative old iron tools and devices displayed on walls.

Old World decor is also distinguished by rustic flooring, made from materials such as brick or stone. Decorative tiles can be used on the walls to contrast with the earthen appearance of the floor and contribute to the rustic appearance.

Art Deco

While the three previous styles share a number of common elements, Art Deco is a startlingly unique style unto itself.

Art Deco is an eye-catching, boldly striking style that blurs the distinction between form and function. Its crisp, polished veneer and strong clean lines contribute to a luxurious appearance recalling the golden age of Hollywood. Materials such as ebony, marble, rare and lacquered woods, and stainless steel work to foster a rich, lavish environment when it comes to Art Deco. Even unusual materials such as zebra, leopard, or shark skin are often incorporated into this aesthetic.

Art Deco furniture tends to feature lush, curvy cushions supported by bold frames made of materials such as ebony or ivory. The deeply dark color tones of Art Deco provide a beautiful backdrop for glitzy elements such as chrome-plated fixtures or metallic tables, desks, shelves, and chairs.

So, there you have the broad strokes of some of the most popular styles of decor. But there are still countless styles to experience. Even these categories encompass scores of subcategories, and that's in addition to the thousands of aesthetics that fall outside these distinctions. Now that you know the basics, you can get started exploring all those detailed worlds.


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San Francisco Furniture.com is run by the Urban Loft Company, the #1 discount furniture store in the Bay Area. Choose from an exciting selection of living room, dining room, bedroom and leather furniture plus entertainment centers, barstools, coffee tables and more all at discount prices. Visit today for furniture stores in San Francisco online.

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Tags:   furniture, renovation, decor

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Submitted : 2010-01-09    Word Count : 826    Popularity:   110