STEP TWO
These interior styles naturally complement newer exterior styles and open concept architecture. By using modern materials, focused decoration and bright palettes, modern styles provide a calming space and a blank canvas for natural light and shadow to provide dynamic effects throughout the day. This style is great for narratives that seek to inspire art and creativity.
Scandinavian
Best Suited For these Exterior Styles: Queen Anne, Bungalow/Craftsman, Edwardian, Prairie, Modern.
Imagine: Art positioned unexpectedly on crisp white walls, graphic shapes, statement lamps, large mirrors, light wood flooring, open shelving, careful curation of seating, creative colour choices, playful use of bold colour, and accessories that delight.
Inspired by Scandinavian design. Characteristics include:
Light, airy spaces with predominantly white or natural light wood tones.
Clean lines and uncluttered layouts.
Natural materials like cotton, leather, wool and linen.
Authentic minimal decor.
Scandinavian styling is a more approachable kind of modern style. This style concept is adaptable to lighthearted vintage architecture and newer modern architecture. Investing in some authentic anchor pieces can elevate this style. Mix Scandinavian inspiration on finishes, clean and minimal built-in cabinetry, fixtures with cozy hygge décor for a warm, comfortable, modern interior.
Minimalist
Best Suited For: Folk, Mid-Century Modern, Victory, Modern. Careful application to Romantic and Victorian.
Imagine: Clean lines, sparsely furnished spaces leave room for the eye to rest, restrained ornamentation on trim and millwork, integrated pulls, grid patterned tiles, floating cabinets, low contrast palettes through both colour and texture, nothing unnecessary to distract from the primary use of each space.
Minimalist design focuses on simplicity, functionality, and a "less is more" philosophy. Key features include:
Monochromatic colour palettes.
Clean, simple furniture with functional forms.
Uncluttered spaces with minimal decor.
A focus on natural light and open layouts.
A minimalist style is a natural fit for more modern architecture however, it is possible to achieve a balance between a minimalist interior and more ornamental vintage styles. Incorporating clever storage solutions and custom furniture and cabinetry are key to maintaining a minimalist design while accommodating practical living.
Modern
Best Suited For These Exterior Styles: Mid-Century Modern, Victory, Modern.
Imagine: Large windows that welcome the outside world into view, light floods in from strategic skylights, sleek lines paired with bold colours, creative curves guide the eye, inspired use of new materials offer interest and each space has intentional function.
Modern design emphasizes clean lines, minimalism and functionality. This style features:
Artful take on minimalist design.
Bold palette.
Open floor plans with ample natural light.
Minimal decoration with an emphasis on practicality.
Minimal trim detail; trimless doors and windows.
Modern interiors suit more modern architectural styles; Mid-century and minimalist contemporary where open layouts, large windows and unadorned minimal architecture add to the effect of this interior style.
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-This guide provides a brief, highly graphical overview of Canada's architectural heritage, highlighting the defining characteristics of various building styles and types across different historical periods. We love older Parks Canada publications.
Parks Canada. Buildings of Canada: A Guide to Styles and Types. 1980, https://www.historicplaces.ca/media/7173/buildingsofcanada.pdf.
-This guide, commissioned by an East coast municipality, is quite comprehensive. It provides more detailed information on the architectural styles that are common in Canada.
Town of Sackville. Heritage Architecture Style Guide. 10 Mar. 2014, https://sackville.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Heritage_Architecture_Style_Guide_Final_10March2014.pdf.
-This book provides a comprehensive overview of major architectural styles and building terminology in Ontario from the late 18th century to relatively modern times.
Blumenson, John J.-G. Ontario Architecture: A Guide to Styles and Building Terms, 1784 to the Present. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1990.
-A concise introduction to considering the architectural character of your home is provided in the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Cultural Resources - Preservation Guides. The National Park Service preservation guides are a great resource in general and well worth exploring.
-This book outlines what to look for, what to do and what not to do when working on important building details.
Cusato, Marianne, and Ben Pentreath. Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid. Sterling, 2007.
-This book provides an excellent detailed guide to American residential architecture (basically the same as Canadian architecture).
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture. Knopf, 2015.
-This book provides detailed information on building elements.
Benjamin, Asher. The American Builder's Companion. Illustrated ed., Feb. 26, 2009, Dover Publications.
-This book provides detailed information on building elements indicating scale and proportion.
Radford, William A., Bernard L. Johnson, and Charles P. Rawson. Radford's Portfolio of Details of Building Construction: A Remarkable and Unique Collection of Full-Page Plates, Accurately Drawn and Reproduced to Exact Scale. Complete Details for Every Style of Interior Trim, Including Special Built-In Features. Illustrated ed., Dover Publications, Aug. 31, 2012.
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