The importance of interior decorating

Contrary to constant complaining in some circles, decorating our interior living space is probably our most popular pastime activity. For a large percentage of people, it is the favorite pastime.

Ever since man first moved indoors he has searched for ways to change and improve upon his indoor environment. The fixation has lead to a global transfer of concepts, ideas, culture and materials that broadens the possibilities and expands the mind to dramatically impact the way we think about our homes.

Sometimes technological improvement present obstacles for the decorator to overcome. Indoor plumbing took a long while to be welcomed into the home. Now the master bath is a design feature and decorating Mecca. In all likelihood, there must have been people of the time who deemed electrical outlets and wall switches an intrusion.

But, we still love the effect of a candle. Some things the decorator works with improve our lives, others enhance a lifestyle.

Throughout history, people in different parts of the world dealt with similar obstacles in different ways, improved their home decor using what was there, and developed decorating verve significant to their geography, climate, religion and culture.

Interior decorating in our modern world

It is a tangle of styles to which designers and decorators have triedattaching meaningful identifying names. In some cases the most convenient division has been to look at a region where significant influences have resulted in common decorating traits which distinguish it from another region and name it for the geographic area represented. Oriental and Mediterranean are examples.

Where there exists significant style characteristics specific to an era, themes of a certain region are best described by breaking them down further into historical periods. Hence Mexican Colonial or French Louis XV.

You will want to learn to appreciate the reasoning behind the names so you can better understand the importance of trying to stay true to the decorating practices of the style you're working with.

The most popular decorating styles

There are thousands of decorating themes in use around the world but only a handful have found there way into the mainstream of our part of the world. Here are the ones you'll want to know about.

By geography

The stylings of certain geographical areas are popular because they make a nice fit with our own region or because of an enviable ambiance we'd like to capture for ourselves.

Popular styles that top the list in America

• Mediterranean
• Italian
• Moroccan
• Japanese

You look at that list and appreciate the tangle this series on popular decorating will help you unwind. Italy and Morocco are on the Mediterranean but they have their own category. It gets worse. Mediterranean design includes in it's makeup, the Tuscany region of Italy and the coast of Spain but excludes Greece.

Mediterranean decor

Is champion of the geographical categories. It is a theme that has been with us for a long time, penetrating our own custom to the point it no longer seems foreign.

Authentic Mediterranean furnishings and accessories have become increasingly available and fuel an intensified interest in this charming style.

Italian

Much of your opinion of Italian decorating is probably influenced by a proliferation of poorly interpreted and outdated Italo-American examples. Poorly done fresco paintings and cement molded copies of stone art forms are tacky comparisons to the modern Italian you will find out about in this series.

Moroccan

Is a hot decorating theme just now. A style such as this comes along from time to time offering intrigue enough to spike an interest. Moroccan offers enough mystery, charm and magic to flourish on its own but, also has lots to loan out to your Mediterranean or American Southwestern plans.

Japanese

Style is a departure from our customary approach to decorating. Driven by oriental philosophy which seeks balance in the universe and cultural needs requiring a place for serenity, Japanese has attracted a dedicated following or at the very least, presents motivational examples of ideas to be used in other decorating styles.

By historical period

Our most popular historical decorating styles feature attributes of such quality and consistency they have endured the test of time. Others are relative newcomers working hard to find durability.

Victorian

Has to be the most recognizable of all our decorating styles. References to the excesses of this mid 19th century English style are so commonplace and it's many details so unchanged, there is little need for introduction, still there's lots of attention later in this series.

Traditional

Is rooted in 18th and 19th century fine English furnishings and nurtured by 300 years of American influences, this is the most popular decor style in the United States.

Rustic

Works a line between American pioneer days and our attraction to a unity with the solitude of the great outdoors.

Contemporary

Represents America now. It is a rendition of modern tempered to accommodate a greater following.

Minimalist

appeal has the narrowest following of all the popular decorating styles this series will follow. But, the total lifestyle thrust of it's approach lays claim to the most dedicated followers.