Arts and Crafts:  A reaction to the mass production of the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era’s heavy ornamentation, arts and crafts style highlights simple shapes, sparse ornamentation, and craftsmanship featuring exposed joinery and strong lines.  Natural colors, wood patterns and stone team with simple lines for a clean warm look. 

Photo kitchen furnitureblog.com

Asian:  Bamboo and natural colors are used in Japanese interiors to create a serene, calm environment. Shoji screens, floor mats and rice-paper lanterns are recognized decor items. Chinese interiors highlight stylized furnishings with hand-painted designs on lacquered finishes, brightly colored accessories and ornaments or statues of animals or mythical creatures. Red, a symbol of good luck, is prominent.

Baroque:  Originating in Italy during the 1600s, this highly ornamental style includes twisted columns, elaborate scrolls, floors with inlaid wood designs, lots of luxurious fabric and regal colors like gold and  purple, as well as deep colors like red, green, and burnt umber. 

Biedermeier:  A German style from the 1800s combing strength and comfort with a light palette.  Light-colored woods are used in both linear and curvilinear forms for furniture and parquet floors present geometric designs.

Photo elledecor.com designed by Wendi Young Design

British Colonial:  Inspired by the arrival of British colonists in the West Indies, this style combines the tropical and animal motifs of the Caribbean with a simplified Victorian elegance.  Mahogany, dark walnut or teak furniture is paired with leather, wicker and cane inserts. 

Colonial:  From the 1600s through the Revolutionary era this style dominated American furniture and generally included simple spindle chair legs and backs instead of elaborate ornamentation.  Floors and walls were most often unfinished wood and needlework, family portraits and pewter provided the accessories. 

Photo hgtv.com

Contemporary:  Developed in the second half of the 20th century, this style uses clean lines with a focus on shape and form.  Neutral elements and bold color are paired with softened and rounded lines so it is not as stark as modern design.

Photo hgtv.com

Cottage:  Comfort and color, including painted and decorated furniture, partner with graceful lines and textural elements such as baskets, bead board, fiber rugs and window coverings, and weathered finishes.

Photo tlc.howstuffworks.com

Country:  A wide-ranging style depending on geographical location - encompassing simple American or elaborate French provincial.  No matter the specifics, country generally includes primitive furniture, muted colors, milk-paint finishes and vintage fabrics.

Photo bhg.com

Eclectic:  A mix of periods and styles that don’t necessarily fit into a specific design style but are tied together the the use of color, texture, shape and finish for a coherent presentation. 

English:  Colors of hunter green, dark navy, deep red, and gold are used in plaids, florals, striped prints and paisleys.  Wood flooring, wainscoting and detailed carved moldings highlight the architecture and decorative collections often feature silver and china.

Photo hgtv.com

English Country:  An interpretation of Traditional English into this more relaxed, comfortable style.  Wood, iron and stone offer a textured interior highlighted by embroidered rugs and muted floral fabrics.  Wood furniture ranges from light to dark stained.

What is Your Style?

Are any of these your decorating style?  If so – which?  If not – no worries, next week we’ll define decorating styles F through Q.  Then finish off the next week with R through Z.  You’re bound to find yourself in one or more of the style terminology lists.  And, if you don’t, you can always combine the ones you like to create your own personal blended style.