A Guide to Classic Southern Style

What is classic design? It is certainly not white walls, with white furniture, bare floors and a bright yellow urn for a pop of color. It is not dark brown walls with hot pink accents, nor is it nuclear green or pink walls with zebra prints.  And it ain't (excuse me) your grandma's home décor either.  So just what is classic design from a Southern girl's point of view?

Where I come from, "GRITS" stands for "Girls Raised in the South". I grew up surrounded by classic design.  It was a warm, rich and comfortable motif that bespoke of tradition, heritage, family and meaning.  It felt warm and safe. It was not a trendy style that changed with the cover of a new magazine. In my opinion, classic design is always in style. That is why it is called "Classic". 

The style is all about elegance and features rich, luxurious fabrics including silk, damask, velvet and leather.  Fabrics are a combination of solids, patterns and florals that provide comfort and ease of care,   unlike volatile white linen that wrinkles and spots while you gaze at it. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, you can see pictures of classic design style on my profile on Hometalk.

Rooms are well-appointed, layered with classic accessories, not meaningless resin imports that lack purpose. The accessories have the ambience of history, travel and value, even if we did buy it at a flea market. We have a saying down here, "If a southern girl doesn't like it....we just spray it gold!"

Comfort is evident in the style of furniture, which is overstuffed and inviting. The furniture is often placed in pairs and arranged for visiting and conversation.  The look is woven together with antiques (or reproductions) and oozes hospitality.  The fabric palette consists of plaids, stripes, florals and solid prints, mixed to give a tapestry of interest and warmth. Trims such as bullion are liberally used to create a finished elegance. The rooms have an appearance of order and give the impression that nothing is out of place (even though few of us can still afford a housekeeper).

Wall color is simply a backdrop in these rooms; paint colors are not overbearing, sterile or institutional white. Tan, soothing greens, blue and red are used in proper doses. And yes, WALLPAPER. Wallpaper magically transforms powder rooms and laundry rooms into an experience. Oil paintings, art, mirrors, and wall hangings tastefully adorn the walls.  The hardwood floors are littered with fine rugs that have the appearance of collectables worth passing down to the next generation.

In the classic style, the windows are dressed with swags and cascades like a fine old Country Club. Window décor includes valances, jabots and panels with tasseled tiebacks. The look is rich and indulgent. The curtains are frequently trimmed with tassels.  Shutters are often the first layer with a fabric treatment as a second layer.  The window fabric is well coordinated with the upholstery choices and is often repeated in the room in the form of a pillow or a chair.

Lamps are just another opportunity to accessorize and we Southerners love to accessorize! I think of lamps like most women think of shoes ― no woman ever has enough of them. Lamps should complement the motif, but must also make a statement and be unique. I search antique shops and have lamps custom made to perfectly enhance the room. Classic style showcases both elegant wall sconces and decorative chandeliers. The lamps are made of urns and oriental pottery and topped with and finials.

Classic style design is rich, inviting and refined. It is about balance, symmetry and harmony.  The home has a look of accumulated treasures of many lifetimes which have been passed down to the fortunate heirs. It is layers of love and a sense of well being and belonging. It should abound in love and good will. If you have this, then your home will feel like a castle.

Lee Anne Culpepper is a Networx - http://www.networx.com - writer. Get home & garden ideas like this - http://www.networx.com/article/a-guide-to-classic-southern-style - on Networx.com.