Empire style in the interior

People who love sophistication in all things must certainly pay attention to the sophisticated style of Empire when creating the interior of their home. But how to equip an apartment in this style, so as not to violate its basic rules.

Historical background

The Empire style in the interior began to appear during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. It marked the peak and decline of classicism. The task of classicism was to recreate the restraint and simplicity of antiquity. In contrast, the empire carries pomposity and pathos. Translation from the French "empire" means "empire".Not for nothing this style was called such a majestic word. After all, Napoleon himself forced this style absolutely to everyone. It is interesting that this style of interior and architecture was designed not by some architect, but by an artist whose name was Jean Louis David. This is one of the reasons that the style of Empire is characterized by refinement and artistry.

The basis for the style of Empire style are some features of the culture of such states as Ancient Rome, Egypt, Ancient Greece. In this style, you can even see some military symbols: helmets, banners, swords and other attributes that characterize the special majesty of the state. That is why Napoleon loved this direction of architecture and interior design. Today, the popularity of Empire style has greatly decreased, but some people are still its adherents and decorate their homes in this way.

In what cases is the style of the Empire of

? Most often this style is used to decorate the offices of various high-ranking officials, as well as other premises of special significance. Theaters, restaurants and other similar establishments today very often use the motifs of the Empire style in decorating the interior. The main task is the need to turn the room into an official and at the same time solemn. For this reason, the design of living rooms in this style are very, very rare.

Most of all it is suitable for those people who love order in everything, and also want to be surrounded by luxury. If you like coziness in the house, then most likely the style of Empire you absolutely will not do.

An indispensable requirement for creating an interior in Empire style is the presence of a very large space. Therefore, perhaps its formation exists only in a spacious country house or in a large apartment. The originally pomposity, pathos and luxury can not fit in a small room.

Distinctive features of the Empire style

Like any other architectural style, the Empire has its own distinctive features and nuances when creating an interior interior of a dwelling:

• Weighing and self-sufficiency. The room contains only the necessary items, but they are all very chic. You will not find anything out there.
• Perfect harmony. The whole composition of furniture, interior and decoration are combined with each other, creating an ideal tandem.
• Strict symmetry. The complete absence of various broken lines and any kind of irregularities, everything here is absolutely symmetrical and clear.
• Feeling of elevation and some theatricality. When entering the room, any person involuntarily will feel like in the palace.
• Perfect orderliness. Any object in the room is where it should be.
• Combining with chic restraint and severity. In the room where the Empire style reigned, you can not find flowers, ryushechki, bows and other lovely details.
• It is customary to use in finishing only high-quality and expensive materials.

Features of the color range

Strict rules for the selection of colors in the Empire style does not exist. However, one must bear in mind that all colors must be saturated, noble, calm and deep. Particularly welcome pastel shades: ivory, beige, dairy, peach. It is allowed and colors such as red, burgundy, cherry, purple. It is appropriate to practice any shades of brown, from pale sand to a rich noble chocolate. Style and blue are not alien to the color.

In the process of choosing colors, it is necessary to always remember restraint and not to choose a large number of independent shades, as a rule, they do not need to be done more than 3. As a basis, one color is taken, two maximum, and all others should become additional. Surfaces in Empire style are always monochrome, it is not peculiar to this style to put on them any drawings or patterns. When considering photographs in Empire style, it is impossible to find motley or an abundance of bright colors, everything is very reserved and quite strict.

Selecting materials

When creating an Empire style, you can only use high-quality and expensive materials, as noted above. Of particular relevance are different fabrics, as well as wood. Natural stone, granite, marble will also be appropriate. Metal parts can only be bronze or gilded.

Features of decoration in the style of Empire

Very often the walls when using this style are trimmed with very expensive fabrics, such as velvet, satin or silk. They can be replaced with success wallpaper with silkscreen printing. It is not forbidden to use decorative plaster or wall panels, which are made of highly polished natural stone.

The best finish of the ceiling is his whitewash. However, this can be replaced with a matt tension ceiling device, if the height of the room allows. Do not forget about the curbs and ceiling skirting.

Flooring is made with a carpet with long nap, parquet from natural wood, panels made of stone or ordinary ceramic tiles. Finishing should be done so that it emphasizes the chic and creates a refined atmosphere of importance.

We choose furniture and lighting

Furniture style empire is very pompous and elegant. Most often it is made of noble wood species and is covered with a rich cloth. In this case, the tree should be dark in color, and the fabric must be very noble and expensive. Forged parts and carved elements are usually used as decor.

To create the correct lighting in Empire style, in the center of the ceiling place a large hanging chandelier. Simulating candlesticks have sconces on the walls. The amount of light should be sufficient, but there should not be an overabundance.

Other decor elements and important details

Of great importance is the decor, not even smaller than furniture and decoration. After all, it is he who gives the opportunity to emphasize the chic and make the inherent rigor more rigorous. Here are a few items that can be used as decorations for rooms decorated in Empire style:

• Candlesticks and figurines made of bronze.
• Paintings. Actual is the image of various historical events and military battles.
• Mirrors. Frames for them should be made of bronze or wood. The number of mirrors can be quite large, since they can make space multifaceted and increase its volume.
• There must be arches and columns.
• On the walls you can see frescoes and stucco molding.
• Heavy curtains can be decorated with lambrequins and other compositions. In particular, different brushes woven from gold threads look good.
• Interesting attributes can be torches and ancient weapons.
• Ceiling curbs for this style are a must.

Interior decoration in Empire style

Let's consider some variants of registration of a dwelling premise in empire style:

• When decorating the living room you need to consider that in the center of the room is placed a smart sofa that has curved wooden or forged legs, as well as armrests. It should be covered with velvet or silk, preferably a burgundy color. Determining which wall is the longest, you need to equip near it a fireplace, lined with marble. On the sofa located near the sofa a small coffee table made of wood is set up with candlesticks. It is very appropriate to look like a shelf with books or a sideboard with dishes, and on the wall a picture with a military plot.
• Creating the interior of the office, you need a massive wooden table with boxes on high legs, as well as an armchair, which should be covered with a dense cloth. Placed along the wall, wooden shelves should be placed on their books and documents.
• In the bedroom, the main role is played by a bed, which can be placed on an elevated podium. This piece of furniture should be very large and chic. Well complement the interior of the room forged or carved legs, as well as a massive head that can be decorated with bronze or stucco. Near the bed there is a bedside table made of wood and a small ottoman. On the other side of the bed you can put a massive wooden chest of drawers. Baldakhin above the bed is an indispensable attribute of this room. The carved wardrobe serves as a great place to store things. It is appropriate in the bedroom to install and a large dressing table with a mirror.
• When decorating the kitchen in the Empire style, a wooden round table is placed in the very center of the room, and around it chairs chairs made of wood with soft seats and high backs. Modern household appliances are usually hidden, since they absolutely can not fit into the Empire style. To make a shell is best made of natural stone, just like a countertop. By the way, combined with the living room and the kitchen for this style fits best.

Having studied the above features, you can independently design the design of your apartment or a country house in Empire style. This will make it majestic, chic, strict and at the same time refined.