Creating a Theme Environment

Provided by National Kitchen&Bath Association

While not all clients may want to follow a specific historical or cultural theme, it has become more common since WW-II for those homes from a specific historical architectural style. One does not need to be an expert in each of the design styles however the kitchen and bath designer should have a good working knowledge of the history behind these styles.

Defining the theme and Style
Establishing a historical theme for the kitchen or bathroom is a way to assist the designer in organizing the project. Often clients will already have their own set of pictures of interior spaces, including kitchens and bathrooms. Once the style is made then many possibilities will be eliminated making it easier to help move the process along, and narrow the choices down. Kitchen and bath designers and clients often wonder "How do I know what is appropriate for a specific architectural style.". Most architectural style periods have distinctive furniture, interior and exterior for the style and nothing in writing about it till the 19th and 20th century.

Therefore we can usually adapt a furniture or architectural style(or some elements) into cabinets then uses color, material, motifs, and/or accessories associated with the period to give feeling of style, all while trying to contend with the modernization of appliances and building codes. Luckily in recent years manufacturers developed product lines that are reminiscent of or blend with a variety of historical style periods.

Understanding context and style
As the homeowner draws inspiration from a variety of sources they should realize that Western architecture was identified with the character of Western civilization. It is important to understand the context of the style and what it represents. One also needs to keep in mind depending on the source the style period might be pushed into a different category. It is also notable that many of the historical styles were for the wealthy and nobility.

It wasn't until the 18th century that architectural and design styles came to the middle class. These architectural style were typically just a more simple version of what the wealthy owned. Knowing about and being able to apply knowledge to create a historical style. The knowledge of historical architectural and furniture is the basis for design. Each successive design style has built upon what was from before but with their own interpretation.