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| Home Painting Skills Wallpaper Home & Domestic Interior Decorating Alyssa Davis |
Prairie Style.Prairie Style DecoratingPrairie 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. The typical floor plan includes open floor plans and plenty of low horizontal lines. For the home that is built according to the traditional prairie style architectural techniques, it only makes sense to carry the theme through the home's decorating scheme as well. Open Decorating SchemesWhen Frank Lloyd Wright originally developed the idea behind the prairie style home, it was as a result of his opinion that Victorian-style floor plans were far too confining. He believed that the inside of a home should be spacious, open and inviting. Instead of walls, it's common to find leaded glass panels or even no interior walls instead. In many cases, the original homes of this style often featured plaster trimmed in wood, or possibly horizontal board and batten siding. As time went by, it also became common to see these homes constructed out of other materials, such as concrete block. Homes were designed in a variety of shapes, including T-shaped, L-shaped, square or even Y-shaped. Overall Decorating StyleOne of the principles behind this style of architecture and decorating is that it can be highly desirable to make a structure look as though it's actually part of the landscape that surrounds it. This sense of "organic architecture" was strongly embraced by architects who designed homes of this style. When decorating a prairie style home, it's usually best to stick with this "organic" mindset.As such, you'll rarely find garish patterns or bright colors used in one of these homes. Instead, there's usually an emphasis on natural colors and natural materials. In fact, using locally available materials as part of the home's décor can be a great approach to take. The underlying thinking was that a better home would naturally help create a better person. Today, you'll actually find remnants of prairie school home design incorporated in minimalist styles of decorating, as well as any decorating scheme that allows form to follow function. Decorating the Prairie Style HomeWhen decorating a home of this style, it's best to focus on clean, simple lines. Furniture pieces that feature beautiful wood, textiles or rugs made from natural fibers dyed in natural shades, and the interesting use of windows or glass throughout the home can add to the overall appeal of this style.Earthy shades and light, natural tones work best. A hardwood or a terra cotta floor would both be perfect choices, due to the fact that they are made from natural materials. Using several different colors to paint the walls of a room is another technique that can enhance the original look of this style. By using multiple shades of the same color, it's possible to create a very natural and pleasing look. For example, darker shades can be used for the flooring and lower wall surfaces, while lighter shades can be used for upper walls and ceilings. By choosing rich and yet muted colors, the overall look is very appealing and natural. Furniture pieces with simple lines that are made from beautiful wood are the best choice. Since floor plans are often quite open, furniture pieces can be used to naturally divide the space into various living areas. By doing so, you'll be able to subtly divide the space without making it feel confined and separated.
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