Historic Design Styles – Iconic Interior Styles Through the Ages        

Design styles by History

Architectural & Interior Influences Through Time

Design Styles through time
Historic Design Styles – Exploring Interiors Through Time

Historic architectural styles reflect the social, cultural, and political influences of their era, offering insight into the artistic and design movements that have shaped interiors over time. From the grandeur of Baroque and Rococo to the minimalism of Modernism, each period carries a unique aesthetic, mood, and influence that continues to inspire designers today.

Exploring historic design styles provides a solid foundation for creativity, helping designers, artists, and decorators develop a deeper understanding of color theory, materials, and architectural principles. Whether it’s the natural textures of Arts & Crafts interiors, the symmetry of Neoclassical spaces, or the airy elegance of Coastal design, mastering these styles allows for greater innovation and adaptability in modern spaces.

From traditional homes to contemporary interiors, historic design is guided by the appropriate use of color schemes, materials, and signature elements. By studying these foundational styles—from Gothic Revival to Scandinavian Modern—you can develop a unique design perspective that blends timeless elegance with modern creativity.

Special Feature
Inlayed floor tutorial

Painted Inlay Floor Border

This process imitates the appearance of individual pieces of wood inlayed as a border to a wooden floor. A variety of patterns can be created, often imitating an assortment of wood types such as mahogany, oak, pine, ebony and maple.  I’ve found this treatment to be a successful method of creating a period feel within a range of styles. And since there are very few design limitations you can create wonderfully unique floors to fit your style.

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Oil Gilding Video Tutorial

Quick Dry oil size gilding. This detailed demonstration shows you how to apply genuine gold, Silver, imitation gold, aluminum and copper leaf to objects and furniture using the classic 3 hour oil size method. Brought to you by the folks at gildedplanet.com, you'll learn about types of adhesive, testing for 'tack' and drying rates, easy leaf application tips and cleaning and burnishing the leaf.

Featured Product Ideally suited for exterior applications.

Gold Leaf Kits - Oil based

Professional Gilding Kit - 23kt Gold Leaf. Each kit contains: Basic step-by-step instructions, one book 23kt Gold Leaf book (Patent leaf) one 4 oz. bottle of yellow/ochre oil based Gilding Primer, natural hair brush, one 4 oz jar of oil based gilding size, one 4 oz Acrylic Top Coat Sealer, cotton and mixing sticks, wet/dry paper and book of leaf. Solvent-based. Each Gold leaf book contains 25 leaves. Each leaf is 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" square. Approx coverage is 1.7 sqft.

UPS Ground shipment only.

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Style Features

Victorian Design Style

Victorian Style

Victorian era bridges allot of different interior styles and sensibilities. It is generally considered that the Victorian period found it’s beginnings with the demise of Napoleon’s expansionist policies, continuing thru the reign of Queen Victoria, and culminating up to WW1 in 1914. The styles developed from each other not only as an extension of the current political situation but also to the needs of the rising middle class during the industrial revolution.

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Early American design style
Early American Style

Colonial Amercians drew inspriation from their European heritage. Current interior styles would filter across the ocean and become reinventedin early America. Proportion and scale took reign over ornementation, A neutral color palette of grey blue, greens and rose pinks is readily apparent.

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stucco rustico aged plaster finish
Stucco Rustico - Aged Plaster

Stucco Rustico is a Traditional interior and exterior textured plaster that epitomizes the rustic old world charm commonly associated with Tuscan environments. I love this treatment for its ease of application and the natural, organic glazed appearance that results when using mineral based plasters and glazes. Whether a rough application or a smooth finish, this treatment holds true to the test of time and, in fact, feels as if time itself stopped to wash the walls personally.

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Rustic color palette and paint ideas
The Rustic Color Palette

The Rustic Style color palette falls within a distinct range of color tones and is essential in creating a successful Rustic interior. By using the appropriate color tones you can create a variety of design styles ranging from Period and Historic, regional or thematic. Color helps define our experiences within an interior and exterior environment. It affects us on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level and can be calming and passive, expressive and vital.

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hand painted floral designs
Painted Floral Details

Floral patterns used as accents in fabrics and furniture are common place details in the English Country home. These graceful and organic patterns complement the cozy interior of this style and work particularly well with lace window treatments, an heirloom tea service set and the natural and rustic charm of wooden ceiling beams and slightly irregularly textured walls.

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