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Do you like Greek and Roman styling but can't choose which one to go with in your home? Why not choose neoclassical instead and have the best of both words.
Neoclassical architecture came around in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii were discovered. Just as the discoveries of the Pharaohs mummies would lead to everyone wanting Egyptian styled goods, these discoveries caused many to want to take a step back into time and see what Pompeii would have been like before the volcano.
As the ruins were unearthed the first things that were noticed were the shapes and designs used in the buildings of the city. These include strong and sharp rectangles. This is the first thing you should consider in your décor - a room with obvious lines and angles. If you have a room that seems soft, you may be able to create this look using paint and other decorative accents.
Beyond these sharp lines, many of the architectural designs in this time also had ornate details. This was a period when it was appreciated if you were to combine traditional art with architecture to create buildings that were as beautiful as they were useful. In your home this does not mean you need to add columns or cover your walls with marble and have an artist carve them. But, you could choose to add a few pieces of crown moulding that have artistic accents to the borders of the room.
The next thing that came to light was the colors of the time. It seemed that those who were decorating in this time period greatly appreciated the use of color. The contrast between black and white was very appreciated as well as the use of bright reds, purples and golds, all colors that seemed to promote riches and a regal lifestyle.
As you learn about neoclassical décor you should understand that this was a time period when people appreciated art and what it meant. Everything had inspiration and influence and added to the overall feeling of a room or home. Many of the art pieces of this time included urns or carved medallions that could adorn a wall and accent the space. When it comes to large pieces of furniture, consider iron scrollwork in your furniture pieces or those that are upholstered with sharp Greek or Roman scroll designs that are in bold yet contrasting colors.
If you are looking for neoclassical decorative items for your home and searching around using the word 'neoclassical' you may notice you are having a tough time finding a lot of things to work with. There is a reason for this. Depending on where you are in the world, there well could have been different names for this design. In America it was called the Federal Style or periodically the Adams Style, because architect Robert Adams was behind a number of neoclassical creations. In Britain, many connect neoclassical with the old classical style and confuse the two names.
See some artistic works of art reviewed here by Tom Matherson and find a range of decorative works to suit any home or apartment.
