What Is "American Style?"
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
When I think about "American design," my mind tends to go towards rugged old Hudson River Valley barns converted into vacation homes and filled with Ralph Lauren. Or that style's down-home-on-the-range cousin, big spaces filled with kitschy country accessories.
While Ralph-meets-country is certainly an example of American design, it's only one example of it. The truth is that America's style is as regionally diverse as its food, or its accents.
I thought it would be interesting to look at images from a couple of different US locations here on Houzz, to see what kind of regionally-specific design I could find. In some cases, there wasn't much - DC, for example, is not a hotbed of red, white and blue with donkey and elephant accessories. But some other parts of the country did have their own flavor, which I've tried to capture here:
While Ralph-meets-country is certainly an example of American design, it's only one example of it. The truth is that America's style is as regionally diverse as its food, or its accents.
I thought it would be interesting to look at images from a couple of different US locations here on Houzz, to see what kind of regionally-specific design I could find. In some cases, there wasn't much - DC, for example, is not a hotbed of red, white and blue with donkey and elephant accessories. But some other parts of the country did have their own flavor, which I've tried to capture here:
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| Boston
In Boston, the architecture is traditional and obviously influenced by the region's colonial history. This kitchen's slate blue evokes that era and the kitchen, while perfectly current, has a vibe that fits with the city's story. |
by Abbeyk, Inc.
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This living room is a great example of the way Bostonites make traditional design work in today's less rigidly formal environment.
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New Orleans
This ideabook was inspired by a handful of photos from New Orleans. I was in the city last fall and was incredibly impressed with the architecture and design, which sometimes seem more European than American. I loved the grand homes set just back from city streets, guarded by wrought-iron gates.
This ideabook was inspired by a handful of photos from New Orleans. I was in the city last fall and was incredibly impressed with the architecture and design, which sometimes seem more European than American. I loved the grand homes set just back from city streets, guarded by wrought-iron gates.
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The enormous windows in many New Orleans parlors seem positively Parisian to me.
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The artwork in this room has a European flair, but the monogrammed bedding reminds me that New Orleans is also a southern city and genteel (in some ways).
New York
New York design, like the city, is edgy and glamorous and tough.
New York design, like the city, is edgy and glamorous and tough.
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| Many of the New York images show great home office spaces - unsurprising in a city that's focused on business. |
I especially love the photos of converted loft spaces in NYC - they're a great example of quintessential New York design that's trickled out to urban areas all over the country.
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| Chicago
The midwest - Chicago and Michigan in particular - are hotbeds of fabulous midcentury design. Chicago is the city that brought us about a million iconic buildings - and Ferris Bueller, so it's no surprise to find modern spaces that mix in a little humor. |
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| I love this home's dual respect for modern lines and the incorporation of the natural environment. |
by Amy Lau Design
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Miami
Like New Orleans, Miami's design sometimes feels foreign. In this case, borne of the islands and neighbors to the south. The sunny colors of this kids' bedroom are pure Miami.
Like New Orleans, Miami's design sometimes feels foreign. In this case, borne of the islands and neighbors to the south. The sunny colors of this kids' bedroom are pure Miami.
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by Amy Lau Design
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| And I love this vibrant dining room, which shows off the social side of the city, as well as its fun personality. |
Speaking of fun, this wild profile would be totally out of place in most of the country, but it's right at home in south Florida.
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Los Angeles
With consistently lovely weather, designers in LA get to design outdoor rooms all the time (making the rest of the country jealous).
With consistently lovely weather, designers in LA get to design outdoor rooms all the time (making the rest of the country jealous).
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Plus, LA architects get to play with flexible spaces that blend indoor and outdoor. Lucky!
by LEANARCH Inc.
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Like Chicago, LA's design scene has a great midcentury tradition. This space, with its clean lines and gorgeous view, reminds me of the iconic photos of Julius Shulman. The colors, too, are pure LA (and not so different from Miami).
Ideabook published on May 7, 2010.
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I was so in awe the first time I saw New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston. It was an America I'd never seen before, and all three are so beautiful.
Great ideabook!
Becky - I've seen that book from afar, but I'm going to have to look at it close up now...