A Brief History Of Interior Design

Studying the history of interior design is important and can be either a resource for imitation or for stimulating new ideas. We call it - 'inspiration'. Interior designers are no different from other artists - the difference is that our canvas is your home. Come with us as we journey across time to take a brief view of this fascinating topic…

The history of interior design draws upon several different fields of study. It is based in architectural history, but incorporates elements of the decorative arts, including furniture, metalwork, glass, ceramics, and textiles.

Let's begin with prehistoric and indigenous design. Interestingly, modern art has been strongly influenced by native art. While modern design may not have been as deeply influenced there are often similarities (such as repetition and pattern) between design by indigenous peoples and modern work as seen in weavings such as rugs, blankets, pottery and baskets.

Then there are the ancient world influences of Egypt, Greece, Rome and others. Tombs found in Egypt have yielded up a wide range of objects which have given us a glimpse into Egyptian daily life. They suggest spaces with only minimal furniture, lively color in wall decorations and woven materials as well as the treatment of columns as strong decorative elements. We see similar architectural elements in Rome and Greece, but two distinct styles, and an distinct evolution of architectural know-how. The ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum have shown us that ancient cities were not unlike ours - and were most certainly full of 'decor'. All of the ancient civilizations mentioned made use of wall paintings, sculpture - and furnishings accessories of all sorts.

Next, we'll jump to the Middle Ages, where we find early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic design influences both in architecture and in design elements. From there history takes us into the Renaissance and Rococo - rich with its Italian, European, French and English influences. Neoclassicism gave us Empire and Regency styles.

The North American age was first influenced by Colonial, Federal and Gothic revival design. And who doesn’t love the Victorian Era with it’s Arts and Crafts, Shaker and Adirondack themes.

At the Turn of the Century we were steeped in Art Nouveau and in the Twentieth Century we were blessed with Eclecticism, Frank Lloyd Wright, De Stijl, Art Deco, Post-Modernism and Hi-tech.

As history is still writing itself, we are excited to see how Twenty-First Century interior design will play out as it is continually being influenced by the past, present and future.

Color Theory and Design Part II

Welcome back! In part I of our series on color theory, we touched on the difference between primary, secondary, tertiary and complimentary colors on the color wheel, as well as blending/mixing colors, parent colors and simultaneous contrast.

This time we will expound a little more on each of these subtopics.

Now that you’re familiar with the color wheel, let’s look at the concept of warm vs. cool colors.

Looking at the color wheel, we see that the circle is divided into two families of color that make strongly different impressions. On the left side, red, orange and yellow are referred to as warm colors and green, blue and violet are cool.

Are you beginning to mentally associate between the colors themselves and the temperature sensations of hot and cold? Good. What you’ll notice while standing in a room of warm colors is that they actually seem to raise the apparent room temperature, making spaces feel cozy and pleasant indoors in winter, while cool colors provide relief on a hot day or in a warm climate. A complimentary pair is always made up of one warm and one cool color. Therefore, before deciding on a color, take into account the size of the room, the amount of light or where it is directed.

The Effects Of Color

When the primary colors - red, yellow and blue are used together, they create a very vibrant effect, resulting in striking contrasts. Together they are very successful in small space interior design because they revitalize and rejoice.

The cool colors - blue, green or violet produce a sense of calm and quiet, and like white, creates a distancing effect, making them also ideal for smaller, narrower rooms. However, be careful not to use them alone as they can be cold and impersonal as well.

Warm tones - the range from yellow to red, are vital and happy, and give the impression of “near” space, and therefore work best in large environments.

Now that you understand how groups of colors work together to create certain effects, let’s look at a phenomenon in color theory that is very important to be aware of so as not to create blurred vision or as we jokingly mentioned in part I – cardiac arrest.

Simultaneous contrast refers to how two colors, side by side, interact with one another and change our perception accordingly. Since we rarely see colors in isolation, simultaneous contrast affects our perception of the color that we see.

For example, red and blue boxes are modified where they border each other: the blue appears green and the red, orange. The real colors are not altered; only our perception of them changes.

Since our sensation is most intense where two extremes are juxtaposed, we should be careful when using simultaneous contrast in interior design.

Artists like Van Gogh purposely used simultaneous contrast in their paintings to create a jarring unpleasant sensation for the viewer. If this is not your goal (and we hope it’s NOT your goal in your interior design!), we encourage you to be aware of color mixing that causes simultaneous contrast.

If your goal is to create intense emotion in small doses then it may help to know that simultaneous contrast is most intense when the two colors are complementary colors. Mummy cases of ancient Egypt inlaid with gold and blue lapis are a good example of this, and traditional holiday colors of green and red are too.

Whatever your interior design goals are for your space, at J Douglas Designs, we have the expertise to guide you through color theory to help you select the best furniture and home accessories for your interior spaces.

Dining In For The Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner: family time together, cooking, eating and celebrating a special time of the year. For Americans - gathering for great food, family & fellowship is a tradition for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas - and other holidays during the Fall months each year. And certainly, most meals are a social event for most families in these United States - holiday or not. So the design of the dining area is very important to create the atmosphere of sharing, comfort and feeling at 'home' that most associate with the tradition of eating together.

Before you plan and begin your dining room interior design, it's important to consider some aspects of your space: lighting, and focal points.

The lighting in a dining or eating area is paramount.

Guests might want to see what they're eating (No way!) or maybe it's a romantic and exclusive dinner for two - where mood rules the atmosphere. Functionality and flexibility is the key when it comes to dining room lighting. Opt for a fancy dimmer switch and lighting arrangement to fit the mood of your event.

It's also important to explore natural lighting and windows in your space before placing the actual fixtures. If you have great natural light from a large window on one side of the room, then obviously the other side of the room might be able to use a lamp or light source. Before you place - check your space!

Which brings us to focal points in your dining space.

And one more word on lighting - because it's related to both lighting AND focal points: most interior design plans for dining spaces include a strong light source directly over the table. This is a great opportunity to create a focal point, with both drama and style.

On other focal elements - do you perhaps have an architectural element such as a fireplace, or dramatic window, or a recessed ceiling in your dining room? If so - design opportunity is knocking. Play these up, embellish them and feature them in your design. If you don't have these assets to your space, then add them with your lighting, fixtures and artwork. The dining room is a very popular place for art.

Furniture = Function.

One thing is certain - American's don't gather and eat together STANDING UP. You must have a place to sit and serve.

Choosing a dining room table should first follow your initial style and taste for the room overall - with regard to style and design, but size and placement obviously plays a large role as well. Depending on the size of the space, your table should allow ample room for passage (even with chairs in use - so allow some extra space), and some negative space as well to avoid an overdone, cluttered look.

You want your dining room to be 'comfortable', 'tight and cozy' and 'aesthetic' - but you have to allow for your guests and yourself to MOVE around in the space as well. If you're unsure of what will work best in your space - you can always call J. Douglas Design for an in-home interior design consultation, or visit our Dallas furniture showroom.

For a smaller and more square dining room - a round table shape and of proper scale works great. For longer, oblong spaces, the traditional rectangular dining room table works well. With both options, there would be easy access to and from and around the table and seating.

Dining room designs are a favorite of J. Douglas Designs. Here's some design tips from us to you - to make ALL your in-home dining experiences a tradition to endure:

• Create an extra special pizazz and sparkle by including mirrors, mirrored accessories and glass elements. The shine, sparkle and crystal-clear reflections will add a subtle, special effect.

• Plan your table place settings, centerpiece and other accessories to really accent your design and add color, texture and shape. Adding these accessories will help the room not seem 'overwhelmed' by the large dining room table, but rather - accent it's presence.

Furniture Design Spotlight – Christopher Guy Furnishings

Often referred to as “Creators of the World’s Most Fabulous Furnishings” by its peers, Christopher Guy furniture sports timeless & traditional and contemporary beauty, creating a distinctive look for any interior space.

The manufacturing and design operations (a one-million square foot workshop) are housed in a state-of-the-art facility and led by award-winning designer Christopher Guy Harrison - this line of furniture and accessories collections focuses on exceptional quality and unique, timeless designs - using tried and true methods of creation and finishing techniques.

At J. Douglas Design, we love the Christopher Guy furniture collections and are proud to carry their line of fine furnishings in our exclusive Dallas furniture showroom. Christopher Guy collections have graced the world’s finest residences, resorts, and even movie sets including 007 – Tomorrow Never Dies, The Mummy, and Oceans 13.

If Christopher Guy home furnishings are fabulous enough for MGM and Warner Brothers, we’re confident you will be proud to showcase their distinguished look in your home or business - and it's why we feature their furniture and furnishings as a part of many of our interior designs.

Got Style?

A style, or theme, is a consistent idea used throughout a room or space to create a feeling of 'completeness'. Have you discovered your favorite design styles? Most people choose their interior design style for very personal reasons - for a lot of people it is simply a matter of taste. A designer develops a home architecture and interior design for a customer that has a style and theme that the prospective owner likes and mentally connects to.

Some themes often follow period styles. Examples of this are Louis XV, Victorian, Feng Shui, International, Mid-Century Modern, Minimalist, English Georgian, Art Deco, and many more. The evolution of interior decoration themes has now grown to include themes not necessarily consistent with a specific period style allowing the mixing of pieces from different periods.

Each element should contribute to form, function, or both and maintain a consistent standard of quality and combine to create the desired design.

Maybe you are inspired by your travels. A summer holiday to Tuscany? Backpacking in Asia? A trip to France? A relaxing week on a tropical beach? These are all good interior design themes to choose from, as your room will always remind you of your wonderful memories and make you feel happy and relaxed when you are in it.

Whether you have a favorite design style or two in mind or working with a blank slate, J. Douglas Design is here to help you implement the perfect theme and make sure that you’ve got style!

The Art of Working with an Interior Designer

Working with a interior design professional can be both exciting and intimidating. However, doing so can give your home continuity, function, and beauty without going over your budget.

Designers can save you money in many situations by allocating resources wisely, choosing durable, high quality furniture, eliminating decorating mistakes, and increasing creativity on your project.

Eliminate the fear factor and create a good experience by taking a few steps to prepare in advance:


1: Decide on a budget.

2: Collect color swatches you like.

3: Make your own project design file with pictures to illustrate what you like and what you don't like.

4: Think about the furniture pieces you hope to keep.

5: Be inspired!

For inspiration, visit model homes and stand in the rooms asking yourself questions like:

-How does this room make me feel?

-Are the colors too light or too dark for me?

-Is it too formal, or not formal enough?

-Do I like white carpeting, or would I rather have something darker and more anchored?

-Is that striped wallpaper crisp or just annoying? (likely the latter?)

-Is the furniture warm, dark, white, or colored?

- What do I like (or dislike) about it?

Other sources of inspiration include museums, auctions, antique stores and television design shows.

Next, communicate well and describe your vision. Listen. Talk. Listen. The more information you can give to your designer the better.

Doing your homework and teaming with a good interior designer can turn your interior into a beautiful, functional living space with a creative and unique flair - without cost of unnecessary mistakes.

Furniture Design Spotlight - Maitland-Smith

The one thing we constantly work hard to do - is maintain a standard of elegance with the furniture lines we carry in our Dallas Furniture Showroom.

If the quality and service is not up to par - J. Douglas Design doesn't carry the line. And top quality, customer-service oriented makers of furniture and accessories are not always easy to come by. You want to do business with a company that has a great track record - and one that will stand behind their products.

One of our longest-standing business relationships is with Maitland-Smith - makers of fine furniture, accent furniture, decorative accessories, and lighting - for over thirty years. We've been selling Dallas furniture and accessories for nearly as long - and Maitland-Smith is certainly one of our most 'tried and true' brands with furniture designs that are consistently elegant and flexible - and unsurpassed quality.

Maitland-Smith pieces have always taken inspiration from seventeenth and eighteenth century antiques. These timeless treasures are not always 'replicated' in whole, but careful attention is taken to ensure that details are just as defined as old-world pieces; giving Maitland-Smith's furniture and accessories an elegant hand-made appeal.

Many of Maitland-Smith's pieces are indeed hand-painted or have hand-placed inlaid woodwork - created by fine artisans from the finest materials found all over the world. The quality and workmanship are unparalleled.

So if you're looking for a traditional or just seriously swanky update to your furniture collection - look no further than Maitland-Smith - makers of fine furniture for over 30 years, and a customer favorite at J. Douglas Design.