7. HOLLYWOOD REGENCY
Design Essence: Hollywood Regency, born from the grandeur of movie set design during the golden age of filmmaking, brings unapologetic glamour and glitz to the forefront. Pioneered by visionaries like William Haines, Dorothy Draper, and Billy Baldwin, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity through modern designers like Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler.
Reasons to Embrace: Hollywood Regency seamlessly blends elements from various styles—chinoiserie, neoclassical, art deco, and modern—creating a harmonious fusion rather than a mishmash. It radiates sophistication and confidence, underscored by a hint of swagger. The appeal lies in its refined air, impeccable elegance, and the freedom it grants for personality and individual expression.
Perfect Match if… You find yourself belting out show tunes in the shower. Friends affectionately label you a drama queen. You believe every space, even the laundry room, deserves a crystal chandelier. Lotus flowers fill your garden, and bamboo edges your yard. Sunset Boulevard tugs at your heartstrings every time.
8. INDUSTRIAL
Design Essence: Industrial style, once a fact of workaday life, has evolved into a celebrated aesthetic characterized by utilitarian surfaces, stripped-back architecture, and salvaged objects. Originating from its lack of pretension, it has become a pervasive trend, finding a place in multimillion-dollar mansions as well as converted lofts in gritty urban areas.
Reasons to Embrace: The charm of industrial style lies in its hardworking, proletarian quality that resonates universally. Celebrating humble materials, it remains as affordable as you desire. Stripped back to essentials, it highlights the beautiful interplay between pure form and function. Unassuming and comfortable in its skin, it exudes chic simplicity.
Perfect Match if… You steer clear of big-box furniture stores. The salvage yard is your favorite shopping destination. While classmates embraced neon and Keds, you paired steel-toed boots with vintage dresses. You watched Factory Girl for its title alone. Cinder-block shelving remained a staple well beyond your student days.
9. MID – CENTURY MODERN
Design Essence: Mid-century modern style, brought back into the limelight over a decade ago and further popularized by the TV show Mad Men, spans roughly two and a half decades from the mid-1940s to 1970. Rooted in the postwar desire to propel America into the modern era, it introduces an uncomplicated and fresh aesthetic, casting design through a bold new lens.
Reasons to Embrace: Mid-century modern’s allure lies in its emphasis on pared-down forms, contemporary patterns, natural materials, and a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors. It effortlessly blends functional comfort with chic style, bridging the organic and the man-made. With one foot in the natural world and the other in uncharted modern territory, it continues to surprise and captivate.
Perfect Match if… You fondly recall your childhood home’s conversation pit. Impatience surfaces when people take forever to get to the point. Modern art excites you more than the old masters. You watch Pulp Fiction solely for its Dick Dale-heavy soundtrack. Your Sunday nights revolve around one thing – Mad Men.
10. SCANDINAVIAN
Design Essence: Scandinavian interior design, originating in the Nordic countries during the 1950s, is characterized by simplicity, minimalism, functionality, and a strong connection to nature. It features light, neutral colors, natural materials like wood and leather, and functional furniture with clean lines. The design embraces minimalistic decor, abundant natural light, and a cozy ambiance, often incorporating the concept of “hygge” for comfort and well-being.
Why It’s Popular: The widespread popularity of Scandinavian design is rooted in its aspirational nature. The uncluttered, bright spaces evoke a calming atmosphere that people crave in their daily lives. After a hectic day, the prospect of returning to a home free from bulky furniture and clutter becomes highly appealing, contributing to the enduring allure of this design style.
11. SHABBY CHIC
Design Essence: Cottage style, more than just a decorating approach, is a frame of mind celebrating imperfections, ordinary treasures, and the blending of diverse furniture families. Humble, unpretentious, and brimming with heart, cottages embody traits many take pride in claiming.
Reasons to Embrace: Comfy, casual, and personal, cottage style perfectly aligns with the way we truly live. Forgiving fabrics and inviting furnishings encourage relaxation and propping up our feet. The style allows ample room for individual expression, reflecting the anchor of contemporary decorating sensibilities.
Perfect Match if… You effortlessly rock the straw hat look. Shiny surfaces fail to captivate you. Slipcovers adorned your furniture long before they became trendy. A pitcher filled with hydrangeas surpasses the allure of long-stemmed roses. You’ve formed a first-name bond with local flea market vendors.
12. TRADITIONAL
Design Essence: Timeless and always in vogue, traditional style imparts a sense of stability and charm collected over time, whether indoors or outdoors. While it may sometimes exude formality, mastering the look involves incorporating comfortable, colorful, and curated elements.
Traditional Style’s Welcoming Touch: Traditional style enthusiasts understand that the essence begins at the front door. A tasteful tone is set by a hand-painted mural and layers of patterns and textures in beautiful shades of blue, creating a stylish and welcoming entryway. The addition of an adorable pup enhances the appeal, making this a place anyone would want to come home to.
Relaxed Traditional Vibes: In the realm of traditional style, timeworn, weathered, and perfectly aged pieces with just the right amount of patina seamlessly find a place, contributing to the relaxed and inviting ambiance of the space.
Pingback: Design Reference: Twelve Design Styles Match Your Selections (Part I) – Bato Studio