Adams Style

Bedroom photo via Nuevo Estilo

Which is called "Federal style" in the States.

Parlor of Jagdgut Wachtelhof lodge in Austria via Lonny

Or some might just call it "symmetry". 

Vignette by Phoebe Howard

Adams style is something I first heard from my Mom when I was a kid. She was a decorator and the classic notes of this neoclassical genre were apparent in her work. It was actually started way back in the 1700s by three Scottish brothers, but it took on a life of its own as it was applied by different architects of the time. And certainly, when it crossed the pond, the Americans were bound to put their own spin on it. 

Living room by Victoria Hagan

 

Although one of the more common associations with this style is symmetry, most of the rooms here would not look like a true Adam brother space. There would be far more medallions, scrolls, and swags. 

Home decorated by Robert Adam in 1777

See what I mean? I love Federal style. Give me a good pilaster over a plain wall any day. My Mom even had arched pilasters installed in the doorways leading to our living and dining rooms. So pretty. 

Floral frenzy by Tom Scheerer

 

What is interesting to me is how these old decorating tenets can permeate through to today's style: in furniture arrangements, furniture design. 

Design by Jackye Lanham

Something as simple as the curve of a chair leg, for example, could have been brought to us by people who lived thousands of years ago. 

Another Adam brothers design

 

The chairs in the picture above hark back to the ancient Greek klismos chairs, with their swooping back legs and curved backs. An old style, even in the 1700s, made new by a different perspective.

Design by Suzanne Rheinstein

And isn't that what continues to be wonderful about design today? Things made new by a fresh approach? Innovation in the details?

Design by Westbrook Interiors

Too deep? Haha! Alright then. I hope you all have a great week!

 

Americana

Dining room by Wendy Meredith

The weekend before last I went to Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta (which is fabulous, by the way), and, although there were beautiful antiques of myriad backgrounds and styles, it was the early American and English antiques that grabbed my attention.

Maybe it's because my interest has been piqued by this style recently (think Darryl Carter and Bill Ingram) because I was working on my traditional, masculine study (pictures to come), but, either way, I have a new and growing appreciation for the classically blended, English-inspired "American" look.

So, today, I thought I would pay homage to that style with some photos of homes that are modern incarnations of classic American design (where Windsor chairs and Wedgewood abound). Enjoy!

Bedroom by Eddie Ross



Breakfast area by Phoebe Howard

So much character in such a small space (with the beadboarding perfectly punctuating the style). 

Grand foyer by Diamond Baratta Design

The formality of this grand foyer is played down by breaking the space up into smaller seating areas and by using durable, unpretentious materials like the embroidered pillows and the braided rug (which was an early American staple since carpets from Europe and Asia were not available - or affordable - to colonialists).

Den by Tom Scheerer

What a cozy but fun seating area: the bold coral of the upholstery against the white walls and wood accents. It is modern without seeming overtly so (especially when Scheerer throws a sculptural high back Windsor and pair of bobbin corner chairs into the mix).

Bedroom by Stephen Sills

Again, another cozy room, this one complete with fireplace, quilts, and those lovely black-and-white lithographs. So warm and serene.

Photo courtesy of Country Living

Classic, a little cluttered, but comfortable!

Bedroom by Chad Eisner

Love the stripes, love the quilt, love the trunk.

Dining area by Windsor Smith

What a lovely room. I am not usually a fan of the Windsor chair, but, here, it is the perfect, graphic counterpoint to the clean white walls. The rustic wood table and interesting artwork so casually propped on the mantle, all handsomely complement this delightful space.

Here's to a great week ahead, everyone!

Repose

Vignette by Jackye Lanham

It is finally Friday, time to start relaxing and thinking about the long weekend ahead!

Home of Jim Aman and John Meeks - Photo courtesy of NYSD

What better way to do that than kick off your shoes and kick up your feet?

Bedroom by Thomas Hamel

I hope you all get plenty of rest and have a wonderful weekend!

Parlez-vous Francais?

Paris apartment of designer Lisa Fine

The French seem to have their own way of looking at, and living, life. With elegance and flair in apparent abundance, style seems to come naturally to our friends from the l'Hexigone. With today's featured spaces, I hope to give you a glimpse of that modern French style in homes both here and abroad.

Bedroom by José Solís Betancourt

Doesn't this room just glow? I love the cool grey, pink, and lavender tones combined with the warmth of gold.

Foyer in home of Matthew White - Photo courtesy of NYSD

How fun is this little dog bed under the fabulously grand console and picture? (And check out that faux limestone-block wall treatment!)

Design by Stephen Sills

Although rich wood tones fill this clean and classic space by Mr. Sills, the pale walls keep the space light and airy.

Living room by Timothy Whealon

I adore this giant room designed by Timothy Whealon. The combination of textures keeps it interesting, while the limited color palette keeps it serene. Pure elegance.

Living room by Timothy Whealon

Here is what appears to be a more casual seating area on the other side of the bookshelves on the left side of the first Whealon photo. I love how he breaks up the space into livable portions, without losing any of that wonderful natural light. (Clean and thoughtful design!)

Living room by Paint & Paper Library's David Oliver

"Soft", I think, is the best word to describe this room. As a color specialist for the UK's Paint & Paper Library, Oliver knows how to create mood with color, as is well illustrated in the grand-yet-comfortable seating area above.

Bedroom by Ryan Korban

Ryan Korban is an intriguing, young designer. His work is so glamorous, but not over the top. I love the idea of living with supreme elegance everyday. Truly French style!

Now, can't you just imagine wandering through the arrondissements of Paris to your own stylish little pied-a-terre? Ha!

Have a great day, everyone!

Case of the lazies

Bedroom by Lars Bolander

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and are getting some time to just laze around in bed!

Easy like Sunday morning

Bedroom by Celerie Kemble

I hope you've all been lazing around in bed this Sunday morning! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!

A Touch of the Unexpected

Design by Dan Carithers

I love rooms that have a touch of the unexpected, a bit of playfulness, that keep more traditional rooms feeling fresh and, well, happy.

Vignette by Mary McDonald

I love Miss McDonald's use of malachite obelisks here. They are so unique and also complete the collection of green accents in this tabletop vignette.

Design by Angie Hranowsky

Bedroom by Eddie Ross

Traditional elements, like the pair of Louis XVI-style beds with coronas overhead, contrast perfectly with a giant robin's egg painting.

Design by Tilton Fenwick

How pretty is this tufted chaise? Its orange upholstery and the large patterned wallpaper update this hearthside arrangement.

Have a happy Tuesday everyone!

Limited Color, Big Impact

Living area by Diamond Baratta Design

Today I have a few random pics for you, but I think they all well illustrate that using a limited color palette can still leave quite the impression. Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Domino - Featuring China Seas fabrics "Lyford" and "Saya Gata"

Sitting room by Jeff Woosley

Dining room by Katie Ridder

Bedroom by Fiona Weeks

Have a great day!

Fresh and clean

 Bedroom by Juan Antonio Zarza of GBZ Arquitectura

Doesn't this bedroom exude, at once, a modern and traditional aesthetic? It is clean-lined, almost minimalist, in its selection of furnishings, yet contains such classic pieces as the large nautical paintings, chaise, and mirrored trumeau. Full bodied, well balanced, and utterly charming.


Bedroom by GBZ Arquitectura

We did it!

Bedroom by Amelia Handegan

Hello, all!

Well, it is official: as of late last night, Luster Interiors finally hit (and surpassed) the 10,000 pageviews mark!

I'm sure it is not so amazing for seasoned bloggers or successful websites, but, since it is just me, Emily, sitting at a desk, trying to bring you all the most beautiful rooms I can, it is more than enough cause for celebration!

I want to thank you all for visiting my site. Whether you're an inveterate follower or a newcomer, I am so happy you found me! I will continue my quest to bring you the most elegant, creative, colorful, and cozy spaces that I can find!

Here's to a great week and celebrating all our successes (big or small)! 

Sincerely,
Em

Bedroom by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Let the sun shine

Living room by Schuyler Samperton

The sun is finally beginning to reemerge after days of gloom here, and, in order to honor its reappearance, I thought I would showcase a few rooms that are flooded with light.


Bedroom by Michelle Workman

Sparkling with glass and lucite and glowing with soft peach walls, this room invites its inhabitants (Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony) in to relax.


Bedroom by Michelle Workman



Bedroom by Katie Ridder

This bedroom is a more energetic space, buzzing from the combination of patterns, textures, and colors.


Design by Amanda Nisbet

Blush and fuchsia in the same space? Pink perfection!


Home of Sarah Jessica Parker by Eric Hughes


As this bedroom is part of a Hamptons beach house, Hughes used a good dose of white to create a clean and simple retreat.

Bedroom by Eric Hughes



Design by Molly Luetkemeyer of M. Design Interiors

I absolutely love this bedroom by Miss Molly Luetkemeyer. The warmth from the pink on the textured walls is further augmented by the wood accent furniture, kilim-style rug, and tones from the chevron-striped curtains.

Bedroom by M. Design Interiors


I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and enjoy a little sunshine wherever you are!