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Interior Design Styles: Classical Interiors
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Interior Design Styles: Classical Interiors

Return to design’s classical roots (with a modern-day twist)

Jade Bloomfield
By Jade Bloomfield, Editor

As the name suggests, classical interior design is deeply influenced by classicism – a reverence for the classical period and its aesthetics – and the Western classical tradition. Vitruvian proportions (those advocated by da Vinci) were a fundamental element of the classical style’s architecture, art and design resulting in a formally aesthetically pleasing beauty.

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The most iconic piece of furniture from classical interior design style is the klismos chair – a reproduction piece designed by British-born furniture designer T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. The classical design is recognised by its saber legs, strapped leather seat (although upholstered designs are now common) and curved back. The chaise longue also carries classical inspirations.

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Other key features of the classic interior style include urns, laurel wreaths, marble (busts, fireplaces, sculptures, et al), dentil moulding, columns, swags in both drapery and decorative motifs, architectural nods (broken pediments, domes, friezes and cornicing), and murals.

The original colour palette of ancient Greece comprised of slate, mist blues, scarlet, violet, pale malachite, sun yellow, ivory, marble pink, clay; Rome’s was comprised of more vivid magentas, golds, Pompeii reds and black accents.

Classicism attracted great interest during the Renaissance (c. 14c – 17c) and again as a neoclassical revival in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Design adherents to the classical interior style include Jean-Louis Deniot, Peter Pennoyer, Thomas Pheasant, Michael S. Smith and Bunny Williams. These modern-day enthusiasts favour careful proportions; internal architectural features such as Roman-inspired arched hallways, friezes, marble flooring, daybeds, hanging alabaster pendants, fluting, sabre legs, murals, coffered ceilings and lionhead, eagle and pineapple motifs.

3 Classical Brands To Know

Selva

Best Classical Interior Design Furniture Brands – Selva – Shop at LuxDeco.com

Selva is known for its timeless, luxurious Italian furniture that lasts through the seasons. Selva furniture has been a standout brand from its inception in 1968, combining a love of legacy and tradition with fascinating modern collaborations.Shop the brand

Wedgwood

Best Classical Brands for Interior Design – Wedgwood – Shop at LuxDeco.com

Wedgwood is a timeless choice for your decor, with over 250 years of experience in manufacturing beautiful china dinnerware. Each design finds the optimum balance between quality and luxury by combining traditional and modern crafting processes with exquisite patterns.Shop the brand

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Louis De Poortere

Best Interior Design Classic Furniture Brands – Louis De Poortere– Shop at LuxDeco.com

Few people can equal the beauty and fineness of Flemish weavers. To make sophisticated designer pieces, Louis De Poortere employs some of the most advanced processes and decades of experience.Shop the brand


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