Decorating
Styles: Are We Seeing a Return to Classical Design?
The elegant proportions, timeless feel and quality craftsmanship of classical styling is making a comeback. Three experts explain why
While sleek modernism is still a thriving look for contemporary homes, many interiors experts are noticing a shift away from super-sharp towards something more classical. ‘Modernism has hit the high street in a major way and it’s now ubiquitous,’ says Andrew Petherick, director of Artichoke, designers and makers of bespoke interiors and furniture. ‘Anyone seeking to be different and show off quality is veering back towards the elegant proportions of classical design.’
So what do we mean by classical? ‘It’s about style, grace and understated beauty,’ says Andrew. ‘Classical order, balance and harmony produces a real elegance.’ Proportion is key, and attractive but non-fussy details, such as mouldings and cornices, feature. Crucially, the workmanship is excellent and the materials employed are high-quality, so that a classical kitchen, library or individual piece of furniture has a permanence and longevity to it, both in terms of its style and its functionality.
Professional advice from:
Andrew Petherick of Artichoke
James Horsfall of Bath Kitchen Company
Sam Shaw of Sustainable Kitchens
So what do we mean by classical? ‘It’s about style, grace and understated beauty,’ says Andrew. ‘Classical order, balance and harmony produces a real elegance.’ Proportion is key, and attractive but non-fussy details, such as mouldings and cornices, feature. Crucially, the workmanship is excellent and the materials employed are high-quality, so that a classical kitchen, library or individual piece of furniture has a permanence and longevity to it, both in terms of its style and its functionality.
Professional advice from:
Andrew Petherick of Artichoke
James Horsfall of Bath Kitchen Company
Sam Shaw of Sustainable Kitchens
A celebration of quality and timelessness
The appeal of classical style lies in its combination of elegance and quality, and the profound influence this can have on the atmosphere and functionality of a space. ‘It’s a return to simple, well-made, timeless style that creates a calm feel and looks pleasing in the room,’ says James Horsfall.
The appeal of classical style lies in its combination of elegance and quality, and the profound influence this can have on the atmosphere and functionality of a space. ‘It’s a return to simple, well-made, timeless style that creates a calm feel and looks pleasing in the room,’ says James Horsfall.
The influence of Europe
Classical style has a long history. ‘It has a traditional feel,’ says Andrew, ‘and this all stems from the 1700s, when the wealthy could afford to travel in Greece and Italy, and then brought home wonderful design ideas.’
This changed the face of British design, ushering in a love of classical proportions and styling that remains alive today. ‘Previously, proportion was lacking and there was no detail in design,’ says Andrew. ‘Most buildings were constructed by builders, not architects. With travel to Europe and the subsequent influx of new ideas, all that changed.’
Classical style has a long history. ‘It has a traditional feel,’ says Andrew, ‘and this all stems from the 1700s, when the wealthy could afford to travel in Greece and Italy, and then brought home wonderful design ideas.’
This changed the face of British design, ushering in a love of classical proportions and styling that remains alive today. ‘Previously, proportion was lacking and there was no detail in design,’ says Andrew. ‘Most buildings were constructed by builders, not architects. With travel to Europe and the subsequent influx of new ideas, all that changed.’
Working the look in modern homes
So can classical style work in any property? ‘You might struggle to justify fitting a classical kitchen in a modernist glass box extension,’ says Andrew, ‘but most houses in the UK are period homes and it works very well in them. There is a calmness to it.’
‘You need to consider the whole when deciding whether or not to go with classical style,’ adds James. ‘Take into account the age of the property and its feel.’
So can classical style work in any property? ‘You might struggle to justify fitting a classical kitchen in a modernist glass box extension,’ says Andrew, ‘but most houses in the UK are period homes and it works very well in them. There is a calmness to it.’
‘You need to consider the whole when deciding whether or not to go with classical style,’ adds James. ‘Take into account the age of the property and its feel.’
Heirloom appeal
With its emphasis on quality workmanship, classical design delivers a feeling of permanence that’s also hugely appealing. ‘People want a kitchen that will last, in a home they may pass down to their kids,’ says Andrew.
Increasingly in interiors, we want to invest in a work of quality, rather than snap up the latest fashion. ‘You can get away with a flat-pack kitchen in a house you may not live in for long; it’s a good short-term fix,’ says James. ‘But in certain properties you can’t put that kind of inexpensive stuff in. It looks and feels wrong and will need redoing quickly, too. It’s better to go with a style that’s timeless and delivers a permanent, not a temporary solution.’
Check out 7 things to remember when planning your kitchen
With its emphasis on quality workmanship, classical design delivers a feeling of permanence that’s also hugely appealing. ‘People want a kitchen that will last, in a home they may pass down to their kids,’ says Andrew.
Increasingly in interiors, we want to invest in a work of quality, rather than snap up the latest fashion. ‘You can get away with a flat-pack kitchen in a house you may not live in for long; it’s a good short-term fix,’ says James. ‘But in certain properties you can’t put that kind of inexpensive stuff in. It looks and feels wrong and will need redoing quickly, too. It’s better to go with a style that’s timeless and delivers a permanent, not a temporary solution.’
Check out 7 things to remember when planning your kitchen
A style that’s versatile
The appeal of classical design goes beyond its permanence and quality, though. ‘It’s actually quite versatile, too,’ says Andrew. ‘You can have a flat door, add mouldings to it and completely change its look, from something classically Georgian to something more Art Deco. Or you can change the width of the frame to steer the feel away from Georgian towards a New York Hamptons look. These are just material, rather than structural, changes, but they make a huge difference.’
In addition, there are paint colours, handles and glass insets to choose from. ‘It’s intelligent design,’ says Andrew. ‘With modern, high street kitchens made typically with flat-panelled doors, you have nowhere to go. The doors will probably be lacquered, so your only choice will be matt or gloss.’
The appeal of classical design goes beyond its permanence and quality, though. ‘It’s actually quite versatile, too,’ says Andrew. ‘You can have a flat door, add mouldings to it and completely change its look, from something classically Georgian to something more Art Deco. Or you can change the width of the frame to steer the feel away from Georgian towards a New York Hamptons look. These are just material, rather than structural, changes, but they make a huge difference.’
In addition, there are paint colours, handles and glass insets to choose from. ‘It’s intelligent design,’ says Andrew. ‘With modern, high street kitchens made typically with flat-panelled doors, you have nowhere to go. The doors will probably be lacquered, so your only choice will be matt or gloss.’
Contemporary twists
It’s also possible to gently reinterpret classical style. ‘You can have a modern reading of classical, with no frills or columns and little detail,’ says James. ‘So you might have a simple door painted white, but the drawers are solid walnut with dovetail joints, displaying the quality workmanship we associate with classical design.’
It’s also possible to gently reinterpret classical style. ‘You can have a modern reading of classical, with no frills or columns and little detail,’ says James. ‘So you might have a simple door painted white, but the drawers are solid walnut with dovetail joints, displaying the quality workmanship we associate with classical design.’
A shift towards sustainability
A preference for classical style is the most pronounced expression of a wider trend towards quality and permanence.
‘We are seeing a striking and continued culture shift in the materials people request, with traditional and sustainable materials being favoured for kitchen cabinetry,’ says Sam Shaw. ‘We are using more birch and oak than ever in our kitchens, always from sustainable sources, and there seems to be no demand among our clients for melamine or Corian.’
Read how – and why – to commission a bespoke kitchen
A preference for classical style is the most pronounced expression of a wider trend towards quality and permanence.
‘We are seeing a striking and continued culture shift in the materials people request, with traditional and sustainable materials being favoured for kitchen cabinetry,’ says Sam Shaw. ‘We are using more birch and oak than ever in our kitchens, always from sustainable sources, and there seems to be no demand among our clients for melamine or Corian.’
Read how – and why – to commission a bespoke kitchen
Top-quality workmanship
The workmanship that goes into classical design is central to its rise in popularity. ‘We find our customers want to know their cabinets are made using traditional methods; that their drawers are dovetailed and their frames are jointed properly,’ says Sam. ‘People understand the durability you gain through traditional and proper practices, all of which can be achieved using modern tooling and materials.’
The workmanship that goes into classical design is central to its rise in popularity. ‘We find our customers want to know their cabinets are made using traditional methods; that their drawers are dovetailed and their frames are jointed properly,’ says Sam. ‘People understand the durability you gain through traditional and proper practices, all of which can be achieved using modern tooling and materials.’
The wane of country style
This shift towards classical style has pushed other looks out of favour. ‘We have seen a steady decline in requests for the traditional farmhouse look, with fewer people choosing the embellishments we used to associate with country residences,’ says Sam.
TELL US…
Do you favour classical design? Share what you like about it in the Comments below.
This shift towards classical style has pushed other looks out of favour. ‘We have seen a steady decline in requests for the traditional farmhouse look, with fewer people choosing the embellishments we used to associate with country residences,’ says Sam.
TELL US…
Do you favour classical design? Share what you like about it in the Comments below.
With its roots in the 18th century, classical style has stood the test of time and is currently enjoying a revival. ‘Many people have come to realise that, when done really well, classical design delivers a glamour and style that far outstrips anything else,’ says Andrew Petherick. ‘Twelve years ago we would never have had a client wanting a kitchen designed around classical Georgian proportions. Now it happens frequently.’