Old World Style Interior Design

From the special online feature Design Styles

The hallmark of Old World design is a comfortable, broken-in look that shows the wear and tear of usage. Textured walls, hand-trawled windows and walls and tumbled marble exemplify the style. Distressed, matte and honed finishes are preferable to highly polished, reflective surfaces.

Colors - The palette is deep, rich and regal but muted for a timeworn effect. Colors typically seen in an Old World room include burgundy, navy, forest green, ocher and cream. A combination of different finishes can range from dark-stained surfaces to painted, glazed and sanded finishes that simulate (or account for) years of use.           

Accents - The polished surface on ceramic jars and the rustic quality of wrought iron are paired for subtle contrast. Other elements that evoke an Old World look include woven tapestries, Aubusson rugs and a distressed gilt finish on accessories.

Fabrics - Examples of Old World-style fabrics include damasks featuring oversize scrolls or floral patterns, complex tapestry designs, stripes and small prints set on cotton and muted hues of lustrous silks. Accoutrements like fringe, tassels and beaded trim add to the multilayered look.           

Architecture - Rough-hewn beams lining the ceiling balance the more sophisticated elements in the room. Other notable architectural features of an Old World-styled home include arched doorways and windows, which add feminine curves to a predominantly masculine design.

Old World Style

Bed & Bath Design : Episode BDE-1108 -- More Projects »

Host Joan Kohn learns about the elements of Old World Style for the bath from experts Michael Gillick and Gil Shapiro of Urban Archeology. The outstanding characteristics of this style are the sense of history, the grandness of space, and feeling of comfort it gives to this most private of rooms.

•           Old World style often starts with the bones of the room: the architecture. Detailed ceilings and woodwork, period windows, columns and arches create a grand shell.

•           This style relies on natural elements with timeless appeal, notably wood and stone, which can used for any or all surfaces. This translates into wood cabinets, flooring and elaborate wood trim, and stone tiles and slabs used for flooring, walls and countertops. There are no traces of manufactured surfaces like stainless steel or laminate.

•           Stone surfaces can be polished and pristine, or they can be honed and distressed for a comfortable time-worn look. Tumbled marble and ceramic tiles with a crackled finish and irregular edges are perfect choices.

•           Walls, furniture and accessories with a distressed or faux finish are wonderful companions to the natural surfaces.

•           The grandness of the space encourages luxurious touches like hanging oversized mirrors and displaying or hanging lots of towels. Even the newly fashionable large shower heads, popular 100 years ago, are in keeping with the large-scale feel.

•           By tiling a modern whirlpool tub, it gets an Old World look.

•           The choice of lighting is important. Sconces and chandeliers with metal finishes are more appropriate than recessed cans.