Designer Select Home Accents
European Cottage and European Manor Designs
This article was written at the end of 2008. Since then, there has been some shift away from extreme rustic and cute looks. A semi formal estate look has evolved to please those in fine homes. The list of elements I recommend using remains the same. (In bold type)
Original article: Sweeping the nation in residential design, European cottage styles influence all markets. Some floor plans are still somewhat open to appeal to modern taste and windows are not always the authentic tudor peep holes that history would demand. The influence of provincial France and Tudor (English) period are seen in exteriors emphasizing gables and vertical lines with ornate architectural elements and in interiors with hand scraped flooring, simple metal strap lighting, hand forged iron detailing, and windows emphasizing vertical lines and trim work. Sweeping vistas may be worked into great rooms in large houses, but compartmentalized design taken from the Tudor period is common.
"Classic" has been the buzz word of choice in the entire home furnishings market for the past 6 years. I believe the push toward Country French and English cottage had only a small audience until architects joined the movement, bringing period authenticity architecture. Now, there is a gap between the two style movements.
How do we blend our desire for things that are classic and timeless? Personally, I am not ready to have Tudor perfect windows in my home. I want light! So, I choose taller windows and more of them. It occurs to me that the strap iron light fixtures of previous centuries were works of master craftsmen, not youths in sweat houses. In the case of lighting, I tend toward a classicism still but add simple pieces when I find better workmanship. As for all other hand made items, I stop short of rustic for high end homes. You can create an ambiance without the feeling of loosing touch with the times. Will the popular turrets become dated in years to come? I suppose so; but I enjoy them so much, I wouldn’t want to part with them! As a designer, I am reaching for balance between the modern and the authentic while keeping each clients personal perspective in mind.
I use these design elements to create a European cottage style.
Beams on ceilings
Ornamental metal and hand forged hardware
Increased amount of pattern in flooring and tile work
A tendency toward charming design as opposed to impressive
Touchable materials
Tufted, upholstered furniture
Less perfect finishes in all wood trim and furniture
Real art
Exposed hardware and working parts
Heavy exterior doors
Chenille, tapestry, and velvet fabrics
A study of the current European cottage movement will reveal a very loose interpretation of history blended to appeal to our modern senses. Styles of furnishings and architecture span centuries and combine elements of each. You will find the tightest adherence to historical accuracy in Tudor exteriors. Typically from there, the interior walls and furnishings simply bring about a nostalgic feeling in the viewer. There is great room for personal indulgences and expression.
Please call 615-399-0661 or email tanna@designnashville for consultation or interior design service.
Arch doorway image courtesy of Laurel Brook Homes
Original article: Sweeping the nation in residential design, European cottage styles influence all markets. Some floor plans are still somewhat open to appeal to modern taste and windows are not always the authentic tudor peep holes that history would demand. The influence of provincial France and Tudor (English) period are seen in exteriors emphasizing gables and vertical lines with ornate architectural elements and in interiors with hand scraped flooring, simple metal strap lighting, hand forged iron detailing, and windows emphasizing vertical lines and trim work. Sweeping vistas may be worked into great rooms in large houses, but compartmentalized design taken from the Tudor period is common.
"Classic" has been the buzz word of choice in the entire home furnishings market for the past 6 years. I believe the push toward Country French and English cottage had only a small audience until architects joined the movement, bringing period authenticity architecture. Now, there is a gap between the two style movements.
How do we blend our desire for things that are classic and timeless? Personally, I am not ready to have Tudor perfect windows in my home. I want light! So, I choose taller windows and more of them. It occurs to me that the strap iron light fixtures of previous centuries were works of master craftsmen, not youths in sweat houses. In the case of lighting, I tend toward a classicism still but add simple pieces when I find better workmanship. As for all other hand made items, I stop short of rustic for high end homes. You can create an ambiance without the feeling of loosing touch with the times. Will the popular turrets become dated in years to come? I suppose so; but I enjoy them so much, I wouldn’t want to part with them! As a designer, I am reaching for balance between the modern and the authentic while keeping each clients personal perspective in mind.
I use these design elements to create a European cottage style.
Beams on ceilings
Ornamental metal and hand forged hardware
Increased amount of pattern in flooring and tile work
A tendency toward charming design as opposed to impressive
Touchable materials
Tufted, upholstered furniture
Less perfect finishes in all wood trim and furniture
Real art
Exposed hardware and working parts
Heavy exterior doors
Chenille, tapestry, and velvet fabrics
A study of the current European cottage movement will reveal a very loose interpretation of history blended to appeal to our modern senses. Styles of furnishings and architecture span centuries and combine elements of each. You will find the tightest adherence to historical accuracy in Tudor exteriors. Typically from there, the interior walls and furnishings simply bring about a nostalgic feeling in the viewer. There is great room for personal indulgences and expression.
Please call 615-399-0661 or email tanna@designnashville for consultation or interior design service.
Arch doorway image courtesy of Laurel Brook Homes
