WHAT'S YOUR STYLE?
Most people know what they like when they see it. But if you take a minute to learn how to define your personal style preferences, you'll be more likely to find exactly the furnishings you're looking for!
“Style” is a very personal thing. You may love the smooth, sleek lines of contemporary pieces, or you may prefer the traditional charm of furnishings from the18th Century. That’s the beauty of decorating with home furnishings! There’s so much to choose from that it’s easy to find the pieces that express YOUR unique style.
To assist in the shopping process, it’s helpful to know the basic style category you’re looking for. It gives you––and the sales person who’s assisting you––a great place to start. We’ll describe the most popular style categories here in this article, so you’ll know the basic terms and definitions. Also, to help you zero in on a ”look”, we suggest you browse through your favorite magazines to find pieces or entire rooms that appeal to you. Tear out the pages and take them with you when you shop.
Ready to find your style? Here we go:
Upholstery Style Categories
Whether it’s a sofa, loveseat, chair or ottoman, upholstered furniture usually falls into one of several main style categories:
Traditional – Designed with a deliberate adherence to the past. This is by far the largest of the style categories, with a dozen or more sub-categories ranging from Italian Renaissance to Louis XV to Queen Anne to Chippendale to Art Deco.
Traditional styles are more conservative––perhaps even formal––and feature wealth of elegant details: symmetric designs, graceful carved curves, rich and mellow colors, dark polished woods like cherry and mahogany, and fine upholstery. Think of European antiques, wingback chairs, camelback sofas, damask, jacquard and chintz fabric covers and Oriental influences. These are good examples of what “traditional” styling is all about.
Transitional – These are designs that blend influences from a variety of old and new style categories. As a result, the overall look is much more up-to-date than pure Traditional styles. Transitional designs, since they usually incorporate both Traditional and Contemporary elements, are more versatile with regard to interior decorating. Furnishings with transitional styling are easy to coordinate to create a casual, easygoing look.
Transitional styles are more understated, and cater to today's laid-back lifestyles. This is the world of overstuffed sofas, easy-care “performance” fabrics, solid colors and lighter-finish woods. These are elements that help you create warm, relaxed interiors that favor neutral colors, soft textures and a very inviting feel.
Contemporary – This term covers several styles of furniture that were developed in the latter half of the twentieth century. It’s not “modern,” but it is an updated look with sleek, rounded lines and clean, crisp shapes.
Contemporary is considered to be a fashion-forward, upscale design look that favors simplicity and a minimalist approach. The focus is on function and efficiency. Fabrics lean to textures and weaves in solids, stripes and prints. Colors may be neutral, or bold with striking patterns. Leather is a popular upholstery choice for contemporary designs.
Accessories may lean toward metal and glass.
One of today’s most popular upholstery looks is “Casual Contemporary.” It still features lean lines and strong silhouettes, but is more relaxed to allow a warmer, more comfortable look.
Slipcover or “Slipcover Look”– Slipcover upholstery has a tailored cover that slips on and off for a comfortable, lived-in look. Slipcover styles give you the ability to change the look of a room simply by changing covers. “True” slipcovers come all the way off for dry cleaning or spot cleaning, while “attached” slipcovers can’t be removed. Ever heard the phrase, “shabby chic”? It was probably referring to the slipcover look.
Eclectic – Eclectic interiors are highly individualized and feature a diverse mix of compatible styles. For example, an antique armoire might be paired with a contemporary sofa and chair, with occasional tables that are similar, but don’t match. Accents might include objects collected from around the world, unusual artwork, or pieces with whimsical or sentimental value.
In eclectic room designs, furniture and textured fabric covers typically cross styles and periods, while color is often the common denominator. True eclectic style can be as distinctive and beautiful as any other category!
Still Not Sure?
If you’re having difficulty figuring out which style is right one for you, don’t despair. Lots of folks are “hybrids” when it comes to decorating preferences.
When designing a hybrid room, a good way to compromise is to pick a dominant style and then add accent pieces and accessories in a different style. Remember that the number one rule in decorating is: if YOU like it, it’s right. Mix and match, and express yourself!
Making A Style Statement In Your Home
Even if you like several styles, it’s a good idea to choose one for the most visible room in your home. This is helpful because it establishes a strong first impression, and sets the stage for variations through the rest of your home. Want more variety and personality? Give rooms different color schemes or themes that are based on favorite sports, hobbies or special interests.
Once you know more about the basic styles that are available, you’ll find that it’s more fun––and more efficient––to shop for home furnishings. That’s because you know more about who you’re shopping for!
Just discover your style, and then show it!
