When contacting an interior designer, it’s a good idea to be prepared to answer questions about your design style so that you can get closer to what you’d like the look and feel of your new home or room to be. If you contact an interior designer who wants to pigeon-hole you into a particular, preset style, better known as “their” style and what they like, move on to the next name on your list.
TRADITIONAL – Traditional is one of the oldest and most common design styles. The traditional style is rooted in heritage and traditional shapes and forms. You will often find pieces that have not changed at all since they were first created hundreds of years ago. It’s all about conscious layering, formality and incorporating pieces with structure and symmetry.
MODERN – Many people feel modern can be cold, stark and sterile but, in reality, the modern style is very much rooted in square shapes and forms. You won’t find anything in this style with extra embellishments and typically the style has a more neutral color palette with the occasional pop of color. ORGANIC modern is also neutral, inviting and casual. It relates to modern in its clean aesthetic and color palette but this style is all about layering neutral textiles and texture to create interest rather than introducing additional color. In this style you’ll find lots of light-toned woods and relaxed textiles mixed with iconic lighting done in black, brass and chrome.
MID-CENTURY MODERN – With cues coming heavily from the ‘50s and ‘60s this style has become one of the most common and relatable styles for many people. The pieces designed during this period have stood the test of time and still remain fresh, modern and relevant. The lines on many mid-century pieces are simple, clean and minimal and are made out of warm woods with purposeful details and styling.
MODERN FARMHOUSE – This style uses a lot of found and salvaged objects but pulls them together in a more modern and refined way. Rather than being too rustic and farmhouse-esque, it is more inspired by the latter. You’ll see plaids, blues, greens and lots of white and black used in this style. It is very inviting and comfy and has a slight tinge of traditional in it without being to formal. Think rustic yet refined.
BOHO – Bohemian has become very popular in the last 5 years although its roots date back much further than that. Boho style is all about pulling together natural and organic elements into a very layered and collected look. You’ll find lots of caning, rattan, bamboo and textiles in this style mixed with bright and saturated colors. It’s exotic, it’s playful and it’s very layered! In the same vein as BOHO is ECLECTIC – for all intents and purposes, this could be called the slightly more refined cousin of Boho. It has a lot of similarities as far as the collected nature, the colorful combos and the curated aesthetic. However, the pieces are less organic and more styled. Eclectic rooms could be filled with iconic pieces from just about every style and when done right, it all works together.
INDUSTRIAL – The origins of this style lean more factory-esque and machine. It can lean a bit more masculine than the other styles as it uses a lot of metal, rustic wood and leathers. However, the softness comes through its neutral color palette and the use of found objects which instantly can give the room some soul and character.
Just to reiterate, make sure that the designer you choose to work with will deliver a room that YOU want to live in. We can definitely help and will listen and incorporate your ideas using tried and true design principles.