avatar Decorating Articles by Alyssa Davis.

Dutch Colonial 1652 - 1795
A Dutch colonial kitchen can be very beautiful. Dutch colonial decor is influenced largely by baroque design. Dutch colonists in the New World in some cases brought with them and in other instances, made their own decorative accents and elements that served as reminders of the life that they left behind in the Netherlands.


Jacobean 1567 - 1625 Decorating a stylish home with period furniture can be a lot of fun. When one thinks of the bygone days of England, ornately designed palaces and grand castles likely come to mind. This was particularly true of the reigns of King James I, King James II, and King Charles I. The time period that spans the biggest part of the 17th century from 1603 to 1688 saw furniture being produced in what is known as the Jacobean style. Early Jacobean pieces were not very ornately styled.


Southwest 1821 - 1904
It can be a lot of fun to decorate your bedroom with a bit of southwest flavor. The southwest style of decor has its origins on the cattle ranch of the nineteenth century, when a minimalist decorative style emerged due to necessity. Although the southwest style of decor has evolved over time, it has nonetheless kept many of its original elements. Bold colors, wooden accents, rustic fabric, and understated simplicity are all a big part of this popular regional decor theme.
American Country Style
Although there are actually a number of different styles of decorating that can be grouped together under the classification of "country," the American Country style is relatively new on the decorating scene. The American Country style began to appear around the time of the United States bicentennial.


Prairie Style
Prairie Style homes, which were sometimes also referred to as "prairie school" or "prairie house" styled homes were all the rage around the beginning of the twentieth century. This architecture and design style is often associated with one of the leaders in home design - Frank Lloyd Wright. The prairie style of architecture was specifically designed to blend in nicely with flat prairie landscapes.

Craftsman Style
If you are lucky enough to live in an authentic craftsman-styled home, it stands to reason that you'll want to carry the look throughout your entire decorating scheme. These homes are known for their useful and yet refreshingly simple design elements. It's common to find beautifully inviting porches and open floor plans, both of which make entertaining friends and family extraordinarily simple and enjoyable. Although the overall look is one of usefulness and simplicity, the craftsmanship in these homes is often nothing short of exquisite.


Arts and Crafts Style
The arts and crafts design movement began around 1860, continuing until around 1910. While it first took roots in the British Isles, it soon spread to both North America and Europe. This design movement was inspired by the opinion that the decorative arts were in rather downtrodden state. The end result was an emphasis on art and traditional craftsmanship.

English Country Style
English Country is a very comfortable, relaxed and unpretentious style of decorating. It reflects a casual, somewhat eclectic and cluttered way of decorating that can add an air of pleasant charm to any room. This decorating style has its roots in the farming and rural communities from years gone by. As such, it conjures up images of cozy country cottages, beautiful countryside scenes, and a quaint way of life.

Colonial Style
The Colonial style of decorating has actually existed since the 1600s. However, it has continued to change over the years, evolving throughout the 18th century. Overall, this style of decorating is based on tradition, and as such reflects a sense of formality and simple elegance. Rooms decorated in the Colonial style have a simple and yet somehow rich look and feel.

Creating a Roaring 20s Flapper Theme in Your Modern Space
Ah, the Roaring 20s! The Roaring 20s were not only a time of political and social change, but this was also a time period that saw an upheaval in the way that folks outfitted the interior of their homes. Many people look to the so-called Flapper period for inspiration in decorating the modern home, and with good reason. Roaring 20s decor has a lot to offer and runs the gamut from exotic to romantic to downright extravagant, depending on your tastes. The ideas that follow will allow you to recreate the Flapper or Roaring 20s theme in your own home.

Amish Decor for the Modern Home
In recent years, barn stars have become a trendy decorative item, and with that trend came a renewed interest in Amish style decor. Amish decor is best known for its simplicity, and keeping it simple is the number one concept that one must keep in mind when decorating a home in Amish style. Most things that work well in a rustic, country cabin would also work in Amish decor. Amish decor calls for lots of wood to be present from walls to floor to picture frames and furniture choices. The following ideas can help you to create the Amish look in your modern space.

Decorating Your Home in Primitive Style
Primitive decor has a huge following right now and is beloved for its ability to add comfort, warmth, and simplicity to the home. It can be a lot of fun to outfit your home in primitive decor. Primitive decor relies on rustic and natural materials, objects from nature, and folk art to create an ambience that is welcoming and enchanting, yet relaxing and simplistic.
Moroccan Style
The Moroccan style of decorating is warm, vibrant, sensual and even spiritual, all at the same time. It has its roots in the area between Africa and Europe, resulting in an intriguing blending of styles. You'll find influences from Portugal, France, Spain, Africa, and the Mediterranean, just to name a few.

Tropical Style
There are a variety of different ways to incorporate a tropical decorating style into one or more rooms of a home.This style of decorating draws its inspiration from the many different tropical areas from around the world, such as the Caribbean area and Hawaii.
The tropical decorating style can have features that are reminiscent of other decorating styles, such as Asian, safari or coastal styles.Overall, the tropical decorating style is fresh, colorful, and reminiscent of the relaxation and beauty of the beach.

African Style
The African style of decorating can definitely add a lot of excitement and color to a home.
This decorating style is rich in colors, primal patterns and textures, making it the perfect choice for those who love a lot of visual excitement in their decorating scheme.
Overall, the style has a kind of life all its own, with an earthiness and sense of tradition that can be very appealing and meaningful.

Classic French Style
Although there's currently a lot of interest in the French Country style of decorating, the more classical French style is also a wonderful option. Paris in the 1600s was considered to be the leading edge of decorating styles, setting the stage for therest of the country. Paris was the source of most of the important furniture styles in the 1600s as well as for years to come. The classic formal French decorating style includes the Renaissance as well as the Classical periods.

Minimalist Style
The minimalist style of decorating is rooted in the early part of the 19th century. This style began more from necessity as compared to any conscious effort towards style and decorating. In the 1920s, families in America didn't have a lot of money to spend. During the Depression, a scarcity of raw materials and the collapse of many businesses made it more difficult to find luxurious items.

French Country Style
Although Paris was pretty much setting the decorating trends during the 1600s and beyond, the formal style that was popular in metropolitan areas wasn't necessary a good match for the more rural areas of France. As a result, the French Country style of decorating was born. Having its roots in the area of the country outside of Paris, this style of decorating was a better match for the rural areas and countryside.

Industrial Chic Style
Industrial Chic Decorating If you're looking for a decorating style that combines modern design and a slightly nostalgic look and feel, industrial chic could be the perfect choice. This decorating style is currently quite popular, providing a fun and often thrifty way of decorating your home in a vintage and somewhat utilitarian style. The look of metal plays a large part in this style of decorating, as does anything that has a slightly industrialized appearance.

Modern Farmhouse Style
Modern Farmhouse Decorating If you love the look and feel of country living but also have a desire for a more modern look, modern farmhouse decorating could be the perfect combination. Although many people automatically think of quaint country decorating styles when they hear the term "farmhouse decorating," today this style can include so much more.

Scandinavian Style
Scandinavian Decorating Styles If a simpler style of decorating is what appeals to you, Scandinavian design might be the perfect choice. This decorating style focuses heavily on practicality and function, providing a minimalist effect that many people find to be refreshing. This decorating style can work well in a variety of home and apartment styles. Because of its clean lines and minimalist look, it tends to maximize the usefulness of smaller spaces while beautifully complementing the spaciousness of larger homes.

Bohemian Style
If you're looking for a casual, original and highly personal way to decorate your home, the Bohemian Chic style could be just what you have in mind. This style features plenty of different textures and colors, providing an ample supply of visual interest and originality. The primary focus of this decorating style is the desire to transform ordinary, mundane items into something that looks artistic and chic. The style draws its name from the non-traditional lifestyle and tastes of "bohemians," which is a term that is often used to refer to creative people such as writers, artists and musicians.

Cajun French Style
If you'd like to add a bit of Creole spice to your home's decorating scheme, the Cajun French style could be just what you've been looking for. For the most part, the Cajun French style of decorating tends to borrow the various components that make up the overall look from a variety of different cultures and areas. However, when these elements are blended together, the overall effect tends to have the unique look and feel of the New Orleans area. Here are a few decorating tips to keep in mind if you would like to add a touch of Cajun French Creole to your home.

Coastal Florida Style
If you've ever visited the coastal area of Florida, you probably enjoyed the overall look of relaxation that the area tends to embrace. Of course, relaxation is definitely the norm when you live in a beachfront area of the country.
However, even if you live in the suburbs or the city, you can easily re-create the look of the coastal Florida area in your own home. The trick is to decide which of the various "flavors" of the coastal Florida style decorating blends best with the rest of your décor and your lifestyle. Here are just a few of the ways you can pull off this decorating style in your home.


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