Foundation Styles - beautiful, functional living spaces
Foundation Styles
Over our years of transforming homes and learning our trade, we've witnessed how certain interior design styles form the backbone of beautiful, functional living spaces. These foundation styles - from handcrafted American traditions to elegant European principles - continue to influence contemporary design in remarkable ways.
In this blog, we're exploring six fundamental interior styles that every design enthusiast should understand. These aren't just historical curiosities; they're living traditions that offer timeless principles for creating homes with character, comfort, and lasting appeal.
Which of these foundation styles resonates most with your vision of home? We'd love to hear how these classic principles might work in your own space.
1: Craftsman/Arts & Crafts
Built-In Beauty: The Craftsman Style That Celebrates Handmade Luxury
Originating in late 19th Century in UK with William Morris and John Ruskin promoting a return to traditional skills and designs inspired by nature. Designs favoured simplicity, functionality, the emphasis was on the beauty of materials as a reaction to mass production.
Natural materials are they key, often incorporating natural elements, floral motifs, and an appreciation for local traditions. A big influence on early 1900s America and it's an on-going popular design style. and an on-going reaction to cheap, over production. Emphasis on natural materials: wood, stone, handcrafted details - built-in furniture, exposed beams, window seats decorated in warm, earthy colour palettes. Quality over ornamentation. It's more than the iconic William Morris designs, it's a way of embracing natural materials for longevity and style.
Modern Application:
- Custom joinery and built-in storage solutions
- Natural wood finishes and textures
- Handcrafted lighting and hardware
- Cosy reading nooks and window seats
2: Prairie School
Horizontal Harmony: How Prairie School Design Brings the Landscape Indoors
Taking inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural philosophy, this style uses strong horizontal lines to integrate the outside into the living spaces of the home.
Modern Application:
- Open-plan living with defined zones
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Geometric patterns in textiles and tiles
- Built-in furniture and clean lines
- Natural materials that echo the landscape
3: Colonial American
Timeless Foundations: Colonial Style's Enduring Appeal is based on the 1600s-1700s settler influences - think Shaker style, formal room arrangements, simple, functional furniture in muted colour palettes of blues, greens and warm whites
Modern Application:
- Symmetrical furniture arrangements
- Classic blue and white colour schemes
- Windsor chairs and farm tables
- Panelled walls and traditional woodwork
- Functional beauty over ornamentation
Neoclassical
Classical Elegance: Ancient Greek and Roman Design Principles continue to influence modern luxury - Columns, pediments, and classical proportions; marble, gilding, and luxurious materials. Symmetrical layouts and formal arrangements decorated in rich colours: deep blues, golds and burgundy.
Modern Application:
- Statement columns or pilasters
- Classical proportions in room layouts
- Marble surfaces and classical sculptures
- Rich, jewel-toned colour palettes
- Formal furniture arrangements
5: Transitional
This is the perfect style to balance inherited pieces and modern living. It's a bridge between traditional and contemporary with clean lines, comfortable, classic elements and a neutral colour palettes with texture interest and a use of quality fabrics in understated patterns.
Modern Application:
- Comfortable seating with clean lines
- Mix of traditional and modern lighting
- Layered textures in neutral tones
- Classic furniture shapes in updated materials
- Timeless accessories and artwork
6: International Style
Form Follows Function: the International Style Revolution began back in the 1920's in both Europe and USA and took the latest modern materials to create light filled open living spaces. Chrome, tube frame furniture, glass, steel and concrete all work together.
Modern Application:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors
- Open-plan living with minimal partitions
- Steel and glass furniture pieces
- Neutral colour palettes with bold accents
- Focus on architectural features over decoration
Foundation Styles: Building Your Personal Design Philosophy
One thing becomes clear: the best homes thoughtfully borrow principles from these enduring traditions rather than slavishly following a single aesthetic.
The Craftsman's built-in functionality transforms cluttered spaces. Prairie School's horizontal flow makes rooms feel expansive. Colonial symmetry brings instant calm, while Neoclassical proportions add gravitas. Transitional proves we needn't choose between comfort and sophistication, and International Style reminds us that sometimes the most powerful statement is knowing what to leave out.
These aren't historical footnotes—they're living principles that continue to influence everything from the custom curtains we design to the built-in storage solutions we create. Whether it's choosing rich, traditional fabrics for a Neoclassical dining room or selecting clean-lined panels for an International Style living space, understanding these foundations helps make every design decision purposeful.
Which foundation style speaks most strongly to your vision of home? We'd love to hear how these classic approaches might inspire your next design adventure.
