You thought you were going to slip silently into the weekend without style. Wrong! We couldn’t let you do that. Today we’re showing you the Classic Style and encourage you to incorporate it into your home if it suits your fancy, or put your own little twist on it. You can never have too much class. Remember to take the online quiz to see what style suits you best and if you want a recap of the ones we’ve already covered, click here.
What’s old is new again! The beauty of Classic Style is how well it takes all of the beautiful forms, colors and textures of the past and reinvents them in a way that feels both fresh and inspired. The style itself is a mix of European influences and French, English and Italian antiques and replicas are often used together. Here, in this Cote de Texas room, the oil paintings with gold frames add a regal touch.
Oil paintings will often depict still life or nature scenes and emphasizing the symmetry of pairs helps maintain the Classic nature of the room. Another Cote de Texas room below uses the paintings and matching side tables to accomplish that.
Furniture is well proportioned and comfortable and the rooms give off an air of sophistication and grace. While this Cote de Texas room is large, the furniture doesn’t overwhelm the space at all and nothing looks forced or out of place.
Windows are often covered with opulent fabric shades and/or drapery as in this Elle Decor room. Wallpaper or murals are also a very popular way to bring additional color and texture to the room, and the patterns are usually reminiscent of traditional European styling.
Classic rooms give off an air of history that seems to say: “I was here long before you, and will remain long after you’ve gone.” And yet, even with this level of sophistication, the rooms are soft and inviting. You will also often see the use of topiaries and plants in a classic room. This Elle Decor room uses flowers in several different areas.
Additionally, gold, bronze and silvers have a natural-looking patina to them that softens their shine.
Maps and animal prints are common, and fringe and tassels are often used to trim pillows, drapery and cushions. In this House Beautiful room, the shine of the antique mirror and the old chandelier add a nice touch.
Dark stained wood is very common and is often distressed. In this House Beautiful room, the use of darker wood antiques compliments the light color of the walls.
Classic rooms are filled with texture and deep color. Walls are often saturated in color and many times have an old-world faux finish to hint of days gone by. In this House Beautiful room, the use of red and coral add European flare.
Golds and yellows are also popular as many Classic rooms have a very warm tone to them. That being said, greens and blues can also be tailored to take on the Classic feel. This room is featured on Shoebox Decor and the yellow and gold tones make this room very inviting and calming.
Genuine antiques are mixed with replicas and found objects become sculptural elements in the room. The Designer Insider mixes a Baby Grand piano with simple furniture and drapery.
Common colors are creams, and rich versions of traditional colors such as burgundy, dark green and navy blue. The color, whatever it may be, almost always has a regal air to it and many times you will see faux finishing to highlight the aged feel of the color. In this Designer Insider room, you have the mix of the creams, and also the architectural elements like the great crown molding and the sculpture on the mantlepiece.
