Drawing from style standards spanning 16th- and 17th-century Europe, Old-World design embodies classic architectural elements, vivid colors, and natural, distressed finishes. This type of architecture is rustic and worn with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
From the French countryside to the Mediterranean coast, you'll find influences from prominent historical periods, including the Medieval and Renaissance periods. To us, it’s traditionally elegant and ever so chic.
See how C&C Cabinets can create custom pieces for your home to live into an old-world home style!
Old-World Architectural Style
Some Old-World architectural styles include:
Queen Anne Style
Popular during the time after the Civil War ended, this Victorian Style combines jovial and ornate details, including wooden or stone decorative patterns and trim and textured surfaces.
Spanish Colonial Revival
This U.S.-style movement, from 1915-31, followed the Panama-California Exposition. These homes have a Mediterranean feel with light stucco walls and a clay rooftop for an earthy and rustic look. Wrought ironwork is a common design element.
Tudor Style
"Tudor" refers to early English building traditions, not architecture influenced by early 16th century Tudor England. It is a popular style in cities across the U.S., giving off a storybook, countryside charm.
French Eclectic Style
Popular in the U.S. during the early 20th century, especially after World War I, homes with French Eclectic Style feature stone or stucco, a modest wood frame, and custom casement windows with arches.
Georgian-Federal Style
Beginning with the popular Georgian Style in the 16th century, this Style was refined and evolved near the end of the century in New England. It boasts classical details, symmetry, and a side-gabled roof.
Be Inspired > Timelessly Traditional Kitchens
Handcrafted Quality
Old-World Style is timeless yet rustic, large in scale, and primarily handcrafted. You'll find robust, exposed beams of wood adorning high ceilings. Metals are key design elements that age with a fine patina and are the perfect complement to warm wood tones.
Common in Old-World kitchens are iron pot racks, scrollwork, and wrought iron chandeliers. Especially popular are handcrafted wood pieces like cabinets, doors, gates, and designer furniture.
Color Inspired By Nature
Old-World Style is all about natural and rich tones inspired by the sun, earth, sea, and wine. You'll find deep greens and blues, rich ochres and murky browns, as well as ivory and cream hues.
Create this high-end elegance in the kitchen, closets, and bath with ornamental cabinetry and molding from mahogany, walnut, or dark cherry. Replace wood panels and window dressings with wrought iron. To achieve the look, we’ll keep the cabinetry and furnishings dark, but bring in the light with softer countertops, floors, walls, and ceilings.
Completely Chic > Why Patterned Tile is Perfect for Old-World Style
Steer Clear of Synthetic Materials
Artificial items didn't exist in the Old World. Wood, stone, porcelain, and glass are excellent materials to use in your Old-World home, particularly in the bathroom. And for bathroom accessories, wood, stone, and wrought iron enhance the authentic theme.
And don't be afraid to experiment with pattern and texture – finishes like wallpaper in Old-World bathrooms are often intricately ornate and artistic.
Finishes Make the Look
Accessorize with hand-forged metal for drawer pulls, knobs, and faucet fixtures, as well as with pot racks, chandeliers, and light fixtures. Fabrics such as brocade and damask can be paired with velvet and leather for a luxe look.
Once your new custom cabinets or built-ins are complete, keep accessories soft and simple with pottery, large glass bowls, and pictures on solid wooden shelves.
Creating a High-End, Old-World Style
C & C Cabinets can bring your Old-World Style project to life with custom designs for cabinets, built-ins, furniture, and more in your kitchen, bathroom, and across your home that's built to last. Let's get started today – contact us to learn more from one of C&C Cabinets' designers!
