The most popular decorating styles ordered By Geography and Historical Period
There are thousands of decorating themes in use around the world but only a handful have found there way into the mainstream of our part of the world. Here are the ones you’ll want to know about...
The stylings of certain geographical areas are popular because they make a nice fit with our own region or because of an enviable ambiance we’d like to capture for ourselves.
"Popular styles that top the list in America"
Mediterranean , Italian, Moroccan and Japanese. You look at that list and appreciate the tangle this series on popular decorating will help you unwind.
Italy and Morocco are on the Mediterranean but they have their own category.
It gets worse. Mediterranean design includes in it’s makeup, the Tuscany region of Italy and the coast of Spain but excludes Greece.
Mediterranean Decorating
 Is champion of the geographical categories. It is a theme that has been with us for a long time, penetrating our own custom to the point it no longer seems foreign.
Authentic Mediterranean furnishings and accessories have become increasingly available and fuel an intensified interest in this charming style.
Italian Designs
 Much of your opinion of Italian decorating is probably influenced by a proliferation of poorly interpreted and outdated Italo-American examples.
Poorly done fresco paintings and cement molded copies of stone art forms are tacky comparisons to the modern Italian you will find out about in this series.
Moroccan Decorations
Is a hot decorating theme just now. A style such as this comes along from time to time offering intrigue enough to spike an interest.
Moroccan decoration offers enough mystery, charm and magic to flourish on its own but.
Also has lots to loan out to your home decor Mediterranean southwestern or American Southwestern plans.
 Japanese Interiors
Style is a departure from our customary approach to decorating.
Driven by oriental philosophy which seeks balance in the universe and cultural needs requiring a place for serenity.
Japanese interiors has attracted a dedicated following or at the very least, presents motivational examples of ideas to be used in other decorating styles.
Tropical Chic
We see the word ‘Chic’ a lot in design which is not surprising since it means ‘well put together’ or stylish which is after all the heart of interior design and decorating.
When used with natural-themed styles such as ‘tropical’ which first brings to mind bamboo huts and little to no furnishings and accessories however it may bring a quick smile to one’s face – yet there is no better term for what has now become known as the “Tropical Chic” style.
Swedish Interiors
The Swedes and their nearby neighbors in Norway have long been known for a rather unique style known as ‘Scandinavian’ or Swedish and characterized by its heavy use of unfinished woods and simple but elegant lines.
There are variants such as ‘Country,’ ‘Nordic,’ and ‘American’ Swedish design as well as true Scandinavian design which should really be classified as its own unique style - but all hark back to the roots of Sweden, the dark and long winters there and the ancient Viking past.
African Decorating
When you think of Africa, there may be several different kinds of decoration that come to mind. One is the traditional African-American cultural decorating theme, while you might also consider the Serengeti and a more natural type of concept. However, both of these themes are perfectly met together for the African decorating choice.
Asian Interiors
Oriental or Asian themed designs have a classical appeal in part due to the ancient nature of the civilizations upon which these design styles are based.
When most nations were little more then feudal chieftains fighting their neighbors for food and land China was developing gunpowder, garnishing silk and had century-long traditions already in place.
British India
The “British” India style comes from the time the British empire ruled India as a province and as such reflects both the rich English love of woods and heavy Victorian draperies , and british east indian victorian decor with fine art, along with typical Indian motifs and materials such as ivory and reed.
Feng Shui
Feng Shui, pronounced (fung schway) the literal Chinese translation is (Wind and Water) and is reportedly an actual belief system that involves a complex mixing of religious, geographical, philosophical, mathematical astrological and aesthetic concepts.
Mexican Decoration
Nothing inspires a fun and exciting whirlwind of thoughts quite like a trip to another country, especially one that is adjacent to your own and known for its exciting use of color, tradition-filled people and use of inexpensive and plentiful materials to make beautiful but affordable artwork and supplies. Yes, we are talking about Mexican Interior design.
By Historical Period
Our most popular historical decorating styles feature attributes of such quality and consistency they have endured the test of time.
Others are relative newcomers working hard to find durability.
Victorian Decorations
Victorian Has to be the most recognizable of all our decorating styles.
References to the excesses of this mid 19th century English style are so commonplace and it’s many details so unchanged, there is little need for introduction, still there’s lots of attention later in this series.
Traditional Decorations
Is rooted in 18th and 19th century fine English furnishings and nurtured by 300 years of American influences, this is the most popular decor style in the United States. Find here your traditional style
Rustic Decorations
Works a line between American pioneer days and our attraction to a unity with the solitude of the great outdoors. Have a further look into rustic decoration ideas
Contemporary
"Represents America now..."
It is a rendition of modern tempered to accommodate a greater following. Read more about contemporary interior decorations
Minimalist Bits of Design
 appeal has the narrowest following of all the popular decorating styles this series will follow.
But, the total lifestyle thrust of it’s approach lays claim to the most dedicated followers.
Get further information about minimalist interior decoration , when less is more.
Blacks and Whites
Unlike most styles which can be traced to a certain period or country, black and white has been with us since man first began to scratch on white walls with blackened charcoal.It is a staple of design that has been used successfully in one form or another in every other style since those days.
Casual Decorating Style
The word casual decorating brings to mind the concept of a lack of concern, a carefree and even somewhat lazy approach that is more functional then decorative and like most such impressions getting it right is much harder then it looks to the untrained eye!
Vintage Retro
Typical use of past styles” surely doesn’t work, nor does traditional, but what about “classic retro” – hmm, that must have been the thinking of whoever coined the phrase – especially when you consider that it takes most of its design elements from the most classical of our American periods – the 40’s and 50’s –
The importance of interior decorating
Contrary to constant complaining in some circles, decorating our interior living space is probably our most popular pastime activity. For a large percentage of people, it is the favorite pastime
Ever since man first moved indoors he has searched for ways to change and improve upon his indoor environment. The fixation has lead to a global transfer of concepts, ideas, culture and materials that broadens the possibilities and expands the mind to dramatically impact the way we think about our homes.
Sometimes technological improvement present obstacles for the decorator to overcome. Indoor plumbing took a long while to be welcomed into the home. Now the master bath is a design feature and decorating Mecca.
In all likelihood, there must have been people of the time who deemed electrical outlets and wall switches an intrusion.
But, we still love the effect of a candle. Some things the decorator works with improve our lives, others enhance a lifestyle.
Throughout history, people in different parts of the world dealt with similar obstacles in different ways, improved their home decor using what was there, and developed decorating verve significant to their geography, climate, religion and culture, but all using the same basics, ceiling, walls and flooring
Interior decorating in our modern world
It is a tangle of styles to which designers and decorators have triedattaching meaningful identifying names.
In some cases the most convenient division has been to look at a region where significant influences have resulted in common decorating traits which distinguish it from another region and name it for the geographic area represented.
Oriental and Mediterranean are examples
Where there exists significant style characteristics specific to an era, themes of a certain region are best described by breaking them down further into historical periods.Hence Mexican Colonial or French Louis XV.
You will want to learn to appreciate the reasoning behind the names so you can better understand the importance of trying to stay true to the decorating practices of the style you’re working with.
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