Decorating
Decorating: How to Mix Historical Features with Modern Design
Look to the past for inspiration and pair contemporary style with distinctive designs characteristic of their time
Antique items, historic furniture designs and period-defining decorating techniques gave traditional homes a great sense of story and character, which is why I would always suggest looking to the past for inspiration when decorating your home.
Think about which decorative elements defined period spaces and translate them into a modern setting by playing with colours, finishes, textures, layout and positioning. This could be anything from bold statements, such as large tapestries and grand ceiling mouldings, to simple things, such as porcelain ware or a chesterfield sofa.
Here are 10 historical design elements with a modern spin to inspire your décor.
Think about which decorative elements defined period spaces and translate them into a modern setting by playing with colours, finishes, textures, layout and positioning. This could be anything from bold statements, such as large tapestries and grand ceiling mouldings, to simple things, such as porcelain ware or a chesterfield sofa.
Here are 10 historical design elements with a modern spin to inspire your décor.
Surprise with plasterwork
Throughout the centuries, plasterwork, such as ceiling mouldings, cornices and paint effects, have been used to give a room structure and a focal point. They are fundamental to Victorian interiors, and are influenced by classical design.
Today, plasterwork can be used with clean architectural lines for concealing lighting, or to create soffits in which to set your window treatments. In this room, the pared-down architecture teamed with simple furniture, exposed shelves and bare windows leaves an open and airy space, highlighting the detailed plasterwork to dramatic effect.
Tour a stylishly curated cottage that mixes old and new
Throughout the centuries, plasterwork, such as ceiling mouldings, cornices and paint effects, have been used to give a room structure and a focal point. They are fundamental to Victorian interiors, and are influenced by classical design.
Today, plasterwork can be used with clean architectural lines for concealing lighting, or to create soffits in which to set your window treatments. In this room, the pared-down architecture teamed with simple furniture, exposed shelves and bare windows leaves an open and airy space, highlighting the detailed plasterwork to dramatic effect.
Tour a stylishly curated cottage that mixes old and new
Juxtapose with modern pieces
Early Victorian fireplaces typically had intricate designs, while the later styles tended towards simpler, geometric shapes.
If you have a traditional Victorian fireplace but it doesn’t fit with your contemporary décor, it would be a shame to remove such an iconic feature. Instead, why not update the look by juxtaposing it with modern artwork? Consider a contemporary screen print or artwork that reinterprets traditional portraiture, as in this room. Use the colours from the fireplace tiles to inform your choice.
Early Victorian fireplaces typically had intricate designs, while the later styles tended towards simpler, geometric shapes.
If you have a traditional Victorian fireplace but it doesn’t fit with your contemporary décor, it would be a shame to remove such an iconic feature. Instead, why not update the look by juxtaposing it with modern artwork? Consider a contemporary screen print or artwork that reinterprets traditional portraiture, as in this room. Use the colours from the fireplace tiles to inform your choice.
Fashion a porcelain display
The Ming Dynasty saw the export of porcelain ware to Europe via the silk route. Chinese quality porcelain was so rare and precious, that European aristocrats and wealthy merchants displayed their collections as a sign of wealth.
These days, porcelain displays have a more decorative aim. Instead of the traditional kitchen or glass cabinet display, create a colourful arrangement of plates on the wall, as in this room.
You could use the idea to define an area, such as a reading space, or hang the plates near your dining table to create a visual link. Try arranging different sizes of porcelain ware in a non-symmetrical pattern – think of a cloud or wave shape – to create a modern composition.
The Ming Dynasty saw the export of porcelain ware to Europe via the silk route. Chinese quality porcelain was so rare and precious, that European aristocrats and wealthy merchants displayed their collections as a sign of wealth.
These days, porcelain displays have a more decorative aim. Instead of the traditional kitchen or glass cabinet display, create a colourful arrangement of plates on the wall, as in this room.
You could use the idea to define an area, such as a reading space, or hang the plates near your dining table to create a visual link. Try arranging different sizes of porcelain ware in a non-symmetrical pattern – think of a cloud or wave shape – to create a modern composition.
Adapt a pattern
Geometric tile designs have been used for centuries as a main component of Islamic architecture and on a vast array of decorative objects. Using a combination of shapes (stars, triangles and circles), endless designs were created in a palette of rich colours.
In this bathroom, an Islamic tile-inspired pattern has been turned into wallpaper, and is complemented with glazed tiles. This is a perfect way to create a dramatic feature in a cloakroom or hallway.
Geometric tile designs have been used for centuries as a main component of Islamic architecture and on a vast array of decorative objects. Using a combination of shapes (stars, triangles and circles), endless designs were created in a palette of rich colours.
In this bathroom, an Islamic tile-inspired pattern has been turned into wallpaper, and is complemented with glazed tiles. This is a perfect way to create a dramatic feature in a cloakroom or hallway.
Consider fabric hangings
Medieval and Renaissance Flemish tapestries were revered for their intricate detail, rich colours and often vast scale.
We no longer need them for insulation, but they make for a striking feature and are an alternative to framed art. You can find old tapestries in antique markets or, if that sounds like too much work, why not use an unusual rug or kilim, as in this bedroom?
Discover more ways to decorate with wall hangings
Medieval and Renaissance Flemish tapestries were revered for their intricate detail, rich colours and often vast scale.
We no longer need them for insulation, but they make for a striking feature and are an alternative to framed art. You can find old tapestries in antique markets or, if that sounds like too much work, why not use an unusual rug or kilim, as in this bedroom?
Discover more ways to decorate with wall hangings
Renew something renowned
The chesterfield sofa was named after the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield in the 18th century. Three hundred years on, this glorious sofa is still making an appearance in many homes. But it doesn’t have to look old-fashioned: do away with the idea of the dark leather library sofa and put a twist on this iconic design by upholstering it in a different fabric, such as velvet, or combine it with modern side tables. This industrial-style room shows how supposedly incongruous elements can work together.
The chesterfield sofa was named after the Fourth Earl of Chesterfield in the 18th century. Three hundred years on, this glorious sofa is still making an appearance in many homes. But it doesn’t have to look old-fashioned: do away with the idea of the dark leather library sofa and put a twist on this iconic design by upholstering it in a different fabric, such as velvet, or combine it with modern side tables. This industrial-style room shows how supposedly incongruous elements can work together.
Pare back a four-poster
Dating back to at least the 16th century, four-poster beds were purpose-built with heavy drapes to offer privacy and protection from draughts.
Modern incarnations have been stripped back, getting rid of the canopies to reveal just a simple frame. If you have a low ceiling, consider only using the uprights with a decorative newel cap on each and no fabric.
Check out these 10 romantic bed canopies
Dating back to at least the 16th century, four-poster beds were purpose-built with heavy drapes to offer privacy and protection from draughts.
Modern incarnations have been stripped back, getting rid of the canopies to reveal just a simple frame. If you have a low ceiling, consider only using the uprights with a decorative newel cap on each and no fabric.
Check out these 10 romantic bed canopies
Curate something curious
The cabinets of curiosities of the 16th and 17th centuries contained everything from taxidermy to plants, minerals and religious artefacts – anything that was rare or unusual was pulled together to create a spectacular collection.
In a modern living space, you can create your own cabinet of curiosities within a bookcase, study or (why not?) a guest loo. Think about places you’ve visited and assemble the mysterious and quirky with found objects, photographs or other paraphernalia to curate your own unusual stories. It will be an exceptional talking point!
The cabinets of curiosities of the 16th and 17th centuries contained everything from taxidermy to plants, minerals and religious artefacts – anything that was rare or unusual was pulled together to create a spectacular collection.
In a modern living space, you can create your own cabinet of curiosities within a bookcase, study or (why not?) a guest loo. Think about places you’ve visited and assemble the mysterious and quirky with found objects, photographs or other paraphernalia to curate your own unusual stories. It will be an exceptional talking point!
Be adventurous with walls
In the 17th and 18th centuries, wall panelling was popular as a decorative wall finish and insulation.
Wall panels offer a uniform appearance, are reasonably durable and are easy to replace. They can be made in any shape or material, leaving plenty of room for creativity. In this room, the LED lighting of the wood panel feature wall offers an updated, midcentury feel. For a lighter look, you could panel the alcoves either side of a chimney breast with inset mirror; it would add elegance and a sense of space to any room.
TELL US…
Have you used a modern version of a historical design element in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, wall panelling was popular as a decorative wall finish and insulation.
Wall panels offer a uniform appearance, are reasonably durable and are easy to replace. They can be made in any shape or material, leaving plenty of room for creativity. In this room, the LED lighting of the wood panel feature wall offers an updated, midcentury feel. For a lighter look, you could panel the alcoves either side of a chimney breast with inset mirror; it would add elegance and a sense of space to any room.
TELL US…
Have you used a modern version of a historical design element in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Encaustic tiles have been around since the 13th century. They received a boost in popularity during the 19th century Gothic Revival and are common in Victorian hallways.
Modernise the look by mixing up the layout to create a patchwork design, or use them somewhere non-traditional, such as a kitchen or bathroom. You can find reproductions in most tile shops, but if you’re ready to go the extra mile, create your own composition from real encaustic tiles or ones you might find at a reclamation yard.
Explore how to give your kitchen some Victorian character