Designing interiors that compliment the architecture of your home

It is important as a designer to understand the history of the building, it informs the design of the interiors. The building is the skeleton that we hang our designs on, creating future designs that are not only authentic but celebrate the building in its natural form. A good place to start is not only establishing the period of your property but also the purpose of any future design work.  This will help build a narrative on how and why you want to design the house a certain way and be a useful guide to keep you on the right path and the level of detail required to get there.  

I take a lot of my inspiration from the Greeks and Romans who made their mark from 1200 BC to 480 AD and had a profound influence on establishing the classical orders of architecture. Following this influential period other styles emerged, as a rule keeping to these classical orders. Some of the most common styles of houses in the UK today are either Tudor, Georgian, Victorian and 20th Century. The classical features of the Greeks and Romans were reimagined by Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) an Italian Renaissance architect famed for his use of symmetry and classical references. 

In this article I want to focus on The Georgian Era (1740-1830), known for its elegance and neo-classical style based on the Greek and Roman ideals and championed by architects such as Robert Adam. Georgian interiors feature pastel colour schemes, classical columns (Corinthian, Ionic and Doric) , detailed stonework, ironwork and marble. These were often presented with motifs such as swags, ribbons, garlands and more often than not the Greek key pattern.  Classical figures and vases were often displayed and real and imaginary animal figures such as dolphins, sphinxes, griffins and satyrs. They would often form bases or handles of objects and plasterwork details, and can be seen in Basildon Park in Berkshire. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/basildon-park/the-house-at-basildon-park  This Palladian villa was built in the fashionable Adam style, with typical neo-classical interior detailing of the time such as plasterwork ceilings and classically inspired furnishings.

The Georgian period spans the reign of 4 consecutive King Georges, from George the 1st in 1714 until the death of George iV in 1830. During this century there were 4 main interior fashions.  Including Palladianism, Rococo, Neo-classicism and Regency.  The later two are the easiest and most popular to replicate in modern interiors.  These were mostly inspired by Aristocrats returning from their Grand Tours and were generally houses of a ruling class. These houses were built by the upper classes as symbols of wealth and power. The interiors were therefore grand and designed to impress guests, often to showcase souvenirs that had been collected on the Grand Tour. Roman statues, sculptures, books, items of culture and numerous artworks were collected, space needed to be found to display these items so grand libraries and bookcases were built.  

These Georgian properties were built well and are well sought after in the UK today.  When presented with the restoration of a Georgian property, don’t get too bogged down in the details. The original architectural details of a period property are what make them unique and this should be celebrated as much as your furniture or artwork. Plan the structure first including any plasterwork or joinery details and design the decoration of the interior around them.  If you don’t do it this way round, they will become an afterthought and will therefore not look cohesive. 

Features

When replicating Georgian joinery, it is important to get the proportions correct and the plaster work and joinery detailing should be as close to the original as possible. Try getting reclaimed or if you are unsure consult a professional.

You can still reinstate the Georgian character whilst transforming it into an elegant family home by keeping period features such as the fireplaces (or re-instate these if they have been removed) and mix these with modern elements to create bright and beautiful rooms. Jamb London does a good collection of period antique and reproduction fireplaces.

Colour

Pea Green, mauve and pinks were common paint colours in the Georgian period, green and soft pinks (not so much mauve) and very popular still and historically appropriate paint colours are available by companies such as Edward Bulmer https://www.edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk/product/natural-paint/pea-green/

Pea Green and Warm stone are two of my favourite colours of theirs, that they recommend to use in a Georgian interior. I also love how they give you a little history lesson on each paint colour too, this somehow brings life into a colour. Don’t over complicate your paint spec and try not to pick out too many different colours in one room or pick out the dado rails, picture rails and cornices in white. For a more modern look, I recommend matching the skirting panelling and cornice to the wall colour, this gives a softer look without contrasting lines breaking up the walls. Picking out a contrast colour in bespoke joinery is a good way to break up the colour scheme and add a punch of colour here if required. 

Furnishings

When choosing furniture and furnishings it is ok to mix different styles in a room, this was acceptable in the Georgian period and eclectic interiors became fashionable.  This includes mixing antique and modern pieces, taking your time and visiting antique stores and buying furniture that you love as well as fits in the space available. Online antique stores are also a great source such as the Decorative Collective https://www.decorativecollective.com/ 

If you are looking for specific items, tell your favourite Antique dealers, they will keep an eye out for you and alert you when they find something that might be suitable.   Plan the furniture layout on paper and make sure you know the measurements when specifying new and antique pieces. (I carry a copy of these measurements with me in case you come across something unexpectedly that might work – you can check the dimensions right then) It is important to make sure you get the scale right, if in doubt go slightly larger. Beaumont and Fletcher https://www.beaumontandfletcher.com/all-furniture-products/ are a good example of traditional and high quality British made furniture.  It is also important to mix the height of furniture in a room, some low level and some higher.  Mixing table lamps and floor standing lamps are also a good way of mixing up the levels of light in a room.  Vaughan https://www.vaughandesigns.com/ is one of my go to lighting companies, they have an excellent range of traditional and more contemporary pieces.  

Georgian interiors celebrated natural light with big sash windows and roof lanterns.  It is best to get curtains that are made to measure, Georgian interiors generally have large windows with beautifully crafted wooden surrounds so it is important to not cover these up with huge pelmets or complicated swags and tails.  Keep the curtains simple and choose the best quality fabric you can afford. This can be expensive though, if you need to make a saving choose a plain fabric and add the detail with a decorative border or trim to the leading edge.  Mirrors are also a good way to reflect the natural light, place these opposite windows, not only will this reflect the light but also give glimpses of the foliage outside.  

LBW are always happy to help create and develop interiors that work with your architecture. We understand the importance of envisioning your space and help you to imagine your interiors. Remember with all interiors, enjoy it and take your time.