Blogs

[#1]

What defines American style? After working as an interior designer for over three decades, I think that American Interior Design is a style as versatile and unique as the people in America.

I moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1980 and was intrigued by its history. The area was part of the William Penn Charter, granted Penn by the king of England. Lancaster was named for Lancaster in England, and it appropriated the red rose, symbol of the House of Lancaster, the British royal house. Lancaster was chartered as a borough in 1742. It was the capital of the American colonies when Philadelphia was captured by the British. Many of the homes from that period continue to influence how we live here in Lancaster.

Every city has its own story which contributes to our unique and diverse style. When North America was colonized, settlers brought building traditions from many different countries. Architecture from our Colonial period still influence the houses we build today; Cape Cod, German Colonial, and Georgian Colonial.  The mid 1800’s through the 1900 gave us elaborate houses in a variety of Victorian styles. The rise of industrialism brought the era known as the Guilded Age with palatial Renaissance Revival style and Neo-Classical house styles. Frank Lloyd Wright, Arts and Crafts, Bungalows, Ranches, Spanish and Mediterranean homes can all be found across our grand continent.

So how do we decorate? We appreciate the freedom we have to create our own kind of style. We appreciate the heritage that has given us the details and beauty of many cultures and ages which we translate into an interior style that is comfortable for relaxing, yet gracious enough to soothe the senses and inspire dreams. In some ways, I feel like we have evolved ‘back’ to a time when we were first discovering the world and all the treasure it had to hold. The Global influence is once again strong and a distinctive component of how we define American.

Designers understand the enormous influence that environments have on those within. We choose specific ideas to enhance the quality of life.

A few thoughts for today and decorating: a sunny disposition is more easily found in spaces that contain the color orange. So fill a bowl with oranges or add a few new pillows in your favorite orange hue. Remember that light which translates to openness, contributes to a better balanced emotional well-being. Time to un-shutter those windows and let a little Spring sunshine into your life.

Don’t forget to make it personal! I believe our homes should tell our life stories. I hope yours story is a beautiful collection of those things that are most significant and pleasing to you.

Be inspired!

Sharon Hanby-Robie, ASID