So Your Style Is: Old World
With one foot firmly in its European past, old world style represents a sliver of history interpreted for today
What it is: Old world style is a mixed breed, drawing from the spectrum of design conventions that spanned 16th- and 17th-century Europe. Its influences stem from several different places, such as the Mediterranean coasts of Spain and Italy and the countryside of France, and a variety of periods, including medieval and Renaissance. But no matter where it's rooted, the look always calls to mind a sense of antiquity and the stately air of bygone centuries.
Why it works: The old world look offers an unusual interplay between warmth and formality. Furnishings are comfortably worn yet regal; rooms feel grand but homey. Old world interiors give us the illusion of time travel and imbue a home with an irresistible European grace.
You'll love it if ... You count the days until your local Renaissance festival returns. Your jewelry box brims with gold and bronze rather than silver and platinum. You can quote every line from "The Princess Bride." You never got into the white-kitchen trend. Bare windows leave you cold — the more curtains, the better.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Arts & Crafts | Art Deco | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | Cottage | French Country
Transitional | Contemporary | Midcentury Modern | Industrial | Eclectic | Coastal | Preppy
Why it works: The old world look offers an unusual interplay between warmth and formality. Furnishings are comfortably worn yet regal; rooms feel grand but homey. Old world interiors give us the illusion of time travel and imbue a home with an irresistible European grace.
You'll love it if ... You count the days until your local Renaissance festival returns. Your jewelry box brims with gold and bronze rather than silver and platinum. You can quote every line from "The Princess Bride." You never got into the white-kitchen trend. Bare windows leave you cold — the more curtains, the better.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Arts & Crafts | Art Deco | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | Cottage | French Country
Transitional | Contemporary | Midcentury Modern | Industrial | Eclectic | Coastal | Preppy
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Style Secret: Muted Colors
The old world palette looks as though it could have been pulled straight from a Rembrandt painting. Tawny ochres, dark blues and greens, murky browns and deep burgundies reign, grounded by black and lightened by cream and ivory. Eschew clear, pure colors, cheerful brights and sweet pastels, which lack the mystique that underlies this look.
New world nuance: Somber, subdued hues can make a space feel rather dim and heavy — just the opposite of today's prevailing design aesthetic. If you feel like the wall are closing in, go heavier on the creams and tans and ease up on the deeper tones. Keep the colors soft and aged to stay true to the style.
The old world palette looks as though it could have been pulled straight from a Rembrandt painting. Tawny ochres, dark blues and greens, murky browns and deep burgundies reign, grounded by black and lightened by cream and ivory. Eschew clear, pure colors, cheerful brights and sweet pastels, which lack the mystique that underlies this look.
New world nuance: Somber, subdued hues can make a space feel rather dim and heavy — just the opposite of today's prevailing design aesthetic. If you feel like the wall are closing in, go heavier on the creams and tans and ease up on the deeper tones. Keep the colors soft and aged to stay true to the style.
Style Secret: Distressed and Antiqued Finishes
Something has to put the "old" in old world, and pieces with patina lead the charge. Metals, woods and stone should feel as though they might have been shipped over from the family villa in Italy (what, you don't have one?). Antique hardware and accents lend a wonderful period flair, but newer ones can find their place as long as they don't feel fresh from the factory line. Select objects that suggest years of use or careful handcrafting.
New world nuance: There's room for polished pieces in an old world home, but they should be the exception. Too much sleekness flattens the exquisite layering that defines the style.
Something has to put the "old" in old world, and pieces with patina lead the charge. Metals, woods and stone should feel as though they might have been shipped over from the family villa in Italy (what, you don't have one?). Antique hardware and accents lend a wonderful period flair, but newer ones can find their place as long as they don't feel fresh from the factory line. Select objects that suggest years of use or careful handcrafting.
New world nuance: There's room for polished pieces in an old world home, but they should be the exception. Too much sleekness flattens the exquisite layering that defines the style.
Style Secret: Heavy, Intricate Textiles
Fabrics in old world interiors have a certain gravitas — picture tapestries displayed on the walls of a 17th-century villa. Marry damask and brocade with leather and velvet to add a lushness that suits the look. Trims, such as fringe, rope and tassels, enhance the sense of opulence. Cloak beds in curtains or canopies; dress floors with tapestry-style or Aubusson rugs, or even faux-fur pelts.
New world nuance: Balance thick, elaborate fabrics with lighter and simpler ones to avoid an oppressive feel. Plain sheets and coverlets in traditional materials, such as cotton and linen, will give the space a little breathing room. Although curtains are de rigueur, you can get away with simple panels if you don't want a heavy, billowy look.
Fabrics in old world interiors have a certain gravitas — picture tapestries displayed on the walls of a 17th-century villa. Marry damask and brocade with leather and velvet to add a lushness that suits the look. Trims, such as fringe, rope and tassels, enhance the sense of opulence. Cloak beds in curtains or canopies; dress floors with tapestry-style or Aubusson rugs, or even faux-fur pelts.
New world nuance: Balance thick, elaborate fabrics with lighter and simpler ones to avoid an oppressive feel. Plain sheets and coverlets in traditional materials, such as cotton and linen, will give the space a little breathing room. Although curtains are de rigueur, you can get away with simple panels if you don't want a heavy, billowy look.
Style Secret: Ornate Detailing
Elaborately carved woodwork, scrolled metal pieces and embellished furniture carry old world elegance and grace. Incorporate finials, corbels, medallions and other finishing touches to pull the room together.
New world nuance: Overlapping too many intricate motifs can add up to visual dissonance. Limit the really strong elements — perhaps a sculptural wrought-iron chandelier, carved armoire and scrolling armchair — and keep the rest subtler.
Elaborately carved woodwork, scrolled metal pieces and embellished furniture carry old world elegance and grace. Incorporate finials, corbels, medallions and other finishing touches to pull the room together.
New world nuance: Overlapping too many intricate motifs can add up to visual dissonance. Limit the really strong elements — perhaps a sculptural wrought-iron chandelier, carved armoire and scrolling armchair — and keep the rest subtler.
Style Secret: Architecture on Display
An old world home holds no secrets when it comes to the structural elements that comprise it. The architecture is strong and direct; exposed ceiling beams, wall posts and columns anchor and define large-scale spaces. Archways, often repeated down a hallway or in connecting rooms, are another old world signature.
New world nuance: For a more updated take on the look, interpret classic architectural elements in fresh ways. The ceiling treatment in this dining area represents a new approach to the traditional wood-beam ceiling, and the arch — wider and lower than the typical shape — opens the space to the kitchen.
An old world home holds no secrets when it comes to the structural elements that comprise it. The architecture is strong and direct; exposed ceiling beams, wall posts and columns anchor and define large-scale spaces. Archways, often repeated down a hallway or in connecting rooms, are another old world signature.
New world nuance: For a more updated take on the look, interpret classic architectural elements in fresh ways. The ceiling treatment in this dining area represents a new approach to the traditional wood-beam ceiling, and the arch — wider and lower than the typical shape — opens the space to the kitchen.
Style Secret: Textured Walls and Ceilings
Old world surfaces show the hand of the artisan. Textural walls — perhaps Venetian plaster, stucco or even roughly applied concrete — hark back to the days when homes were custom-constructed and lavishly detailed. Finish treatments such as glazes provide an alluring visual depth. You can also introduce a fanciful note with frescoes, bas-relief or stenciled motifs such as fleur de lis.
New world nuance: Try paneling walls in wood or leather for a twist that still falls in step with the look. You can also dress up drywall with one of the many decorative paint applications on the market. Or swirl on drywall mud, then paint it to approximate a hand-troweled appearance.
Old world surfaces show the hand of the artisan. Textural walls — perhaps Venetian plaster, stucco or even roughly applied concrete — hark back to the days when homes were custom-constructed and lavishly detailed. Finish treatments such as glazes provide an alluring visual depth. You can also introduce a fanciful note with frescoes, bas-relief or stenciled motifs such as fleur de lis.
New world nuance: Try paneling walls in wood or leather for a twist that still falls in step with the look. You can also dress up drywall with one of the many decorative paint applications on the market. Or swirl on drywall mud, then paint it to approximate a hand-troweled appearance.
Style Secret: Rich Woods and Metals
Wood was perhaps the most prized and widely used material on the Continent long ago, and it's indispensable to old world interiors. Choose lustrous, traditional species: walnut, cherry, mahogany. Metal mix-ins should harmonize with the warmth — think wrought iron, oil-rubbed bronze and burnished brass. Our European forebears would be baffled by shiny chrome and stainless steel, and they don't have a place in an old world house.
New world nuance: Although natural woods predominate, painted and glazed finishes can look appropriate too. However, they need to convey the impression of age. A piece with a flawless coat of color will stand out like a rookie in a sea of veterans.
Wood was perhaps the most prized and widely used material on the Continent long ago, and it's indispensable to old world interiors. Choose lustrous, traditional species: walnut, cherry, mahogany. Metal mix-ins should harmonize with the warmth — think wrought iron, oil-rubbed bronze and burnished brass. Our European forebears would be baffled by shiny chrome and stainless steel, and they don't have a place in an old world house.
New world nuance: Although natural woods predominate, painted and glazed finishes can look appropriate too. However, they need to convey the impression of age. A piece with a flawless coat of color will stand out like a rookie in a sea of veterans.
Style Secret: Worldly Accents
Old world interiors suggest an urbane, well-traveled sensibility and a luxurious bent. Think about the objects you might find in a storied château: candelabras, glazed pottery, oil lamps, plaster or marble busts. That aesthetic is your springboard; supplement with vintage maps and globes, overscale mirrors and art that reflects the style of the old masters.
New world nuance: It goes without saying that antique and vintage pieces are a must, but there's room to sprinkle in new finds that adhere loosely to the look. After all, your goal isn't to create a time warp — it's to evoke a connection to the past.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Contemporary | Transitional | Cottage | Eclectic | Industrial | Coastal | Arts and Crafts | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | French Country
Old world interiors suggest an urbane, well-traveled sensibility and a luxurious bent. Think about the objects you might find in a storied château: candelabras, glazed pottery, oil lamps, plaster or marble busts. That aesthetic is your springboard; supplement with vintage maps and globes, overscale mirrors and art that reflects the style of the old masters.
New world nuance: It goes without saying that antique and vintage pieces are a must, but there's room to sprinkle in new finds that adhere loosely to the look. After all, your goal isn't to create a time warp — it's to evoke a connection to the past.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Contemporary | Transitional | Cottage | Eclectic | Industrial | Coastal | Arts and Crafts | Hollywood Regency | Rustic | French Country