Interior design has often been impacted by fashion trends – both historically and in the modern day. In this article series, “Designing in Style,” I explore the meaning of style for interior designers. I draw on my experience working alongside several of London’s very best-recognized interior design teams. This second write-up in my series introduces conventional/period design, with a focus on the Jacobean and Victorian styles.

Standard design uses supplies that reflect the wealth and opulence of historic times. London interior designers will usually take the very best of the features that were available back then and skilfully combine them with elements that are obtainable nowadays. Traditional/period interior design projects tend to focus on elegance, with a look and feel that is comfortable, rich and sumptuous, although occasionally also a little fragile.

The Jacobean theme is well-known in London mansions and other residences that have a real sense of history. The Jacobean style focuses on heavy wooden features, with dark-stained oak typically employed to create panels for walls and floorboards. Oak is also typically used for the furniture, and the overall interior design feel is that of robustness, with pleasantly-proportioned pieces to fill the accessible space. Tapestries are also an essential part of the Jacobean look. However, quite a few interior designers recognise that tapestries can be impractical nowadays, and one approach frequently employed by London’s best-known consultancies is to recreate the tapestry appearance on modern upholstered furniture or curtains.

1 caveat with Jacobean interior designs is that the style does require plenty of natural light. simply because otherwise the darker wood stains can appear uninspired. This can be problematic in smaller London residences, but is usually not an issue with a lot more luxurious mansions that usually feature massive south-facing windows and substantial grounds.

The Victorian interior design style, by contrast, is regarded as a far more staid approach. Interior designers typically focus on modest rounded tables, typically covered entirely in cloth, and fat, heavily-buttoned chesterfield settees. So a lot of London became urbanised in Victorian times that the style also came to contain nature as a theme for textiles, serving as a counterpoint to accelerating industrialisation. Consequently, Victorian interior design schemes typically feature floral elements and birds on both walls and furnishings.

In the next article in my “Designing in Style” interior design series, I will focus on a third and final period style that is particularly critical for London residences – the Georgian style.