Empire style in the interior

Floorучивший широкую популярность в начале XIX века, интерьер ампир представляет собой парадное военно-триумфальное торжество имперского стиля во всем его великолепии. Родиной данного изысканного стиля является Франция, которая и поныне считается законодательницей мировой моды. Поскольку это было золотое время правления Наполеона, помпезный стиль ампир в интерьере зачастую называют наполеоновским классицизмом. Ему присущи различные элементы военной геральдики, лавровые венки победителя и стены, украшенные скрещенными копьями или мечами. В императорском доме интерьер должен быть достойным королевских особ. Роскошь и пафос, слава и военная мощь, превосходство и демонстрация величия – это то, что отличает стиль ампир от других.

Character traits

At one time, the Empire style was strongly influenced by the military campaigns of the French in Africa and Europe; therefore, architectural features and decorative elements of the culture of different countries serenely coexist in it. The basis of this style is neoclassicism, that is, massiveness and monumentality. In addition, the interior is decorated with columns, sphinxes, ornaments and reliefs. Certainly, the house should have spacious rooms, high windows and ceilings.

The main features of the Empire style are:

1. A strict combination of all design elements with the monumentality of imperial grandeur.
2. In the rich and elegant interior there should be solemn ceremonial (with the obligatory observance of the rules of balance and symmetry).
3. An abundance of ancient Roman, ancient Greek and Egyptian decor elements.
4. The presence of stamp and military symbols.
5. Use a rich color palette when decorating walls, ceiling and floor space.
6. The presence of solid furniture with exquisite decor, made of precious wood.

Style features

Walls

The use of expensive fabrics (silk or brocade) is considered a classic for decorating walls, but you can paste over walls and textured wallpaper imitating silk fabric depicting military symbols, African forests or with a strict ornament. Decorate the walls made of artistic murals, medallions, bas-reliefs, cornices, arches, pilasters and columns.

Ceiling

В центре потолка должна располагаться роскошная хрустальная люстра, вокруг которой потолок декорируется витиеватой художественной лепниной либо красивым гипсовым орнаментом с позолотой. Ceiling обыкновенно окрашивают в цвет слоновой кости или же в классический белый цвет.

Floor

Particularly elegant interior will give parquet from valuable wood species with a complex pattern. In addition, the floor can be decorated with marble mosaics with Greco-Roman motifs in patterns and artistic images.

Window

Window оформляются как гардинами из легких шелковых тканей, так и окаймленными бахромой и кистями многослойными бархатными шторами с драпировкой. Цвет портьер должен соответствовать императорским оттенкам, таким, как пурпурный и золотой. На ткани допускается наличие военной символики и золоченых рисунков.

Color solution

Empire-style rooms are decorated in red, blue, blue and white colors. As color accents, as a rule, use gold.

Materials

Interior Empire involves the use of expensive natural materials. These include wood, marble, crystal, gold, silver, bronze.

Furniture

Any furniture in the Empire style is designed to emphasize the magnificent pomp of the interior. As a rule, it is heavy furniture of massive lapidary mahogany forms with smooth polished wooden surfaces, inlaid with gold leaf and artistic carvings. Furniture legs can be made in various styles: in the form of swans, sphinxes, paws of a lion, as well as in the form of Roman columns, pilasters and a symmetrical pattern. In the best way to such an expensive interior fit antique furniture.

An old chest of drawers, a narrow sideboard or a showcase, a round serving table and, of course, an elegant recamier couch with an elegant curved backboard will undoubtedly adorn any room in the Empire style.

Decor elements

Small exquisite things always give the interior completeness:

• various bronze or metal objects of military subjects: swords, shields, spears, helmets, torches;
• handmade oriental wall rugs;
• artistic paintings in expensive gilded frames;
• Egyptian ornaments, images of pharaohs, sphinxes and pyramids;
• animal skins;
• a mirror above the bed, fireplace, between the windows or on the doors;

• bronze watches;
• crystal chandeliers, a variety of lamps with glass pendants, bronze candelabra;

• any antique figurines and vases with drawings;
• marble caskets, small chests;
• silver baskets for fruit and candy;

• porcelain tableware sets.

If you carefully think over all the nuances and details, the expensive and respectable Empire style will perfectly fit into the apartment of a modern layout.

Video

More details about the features of the Empire style are described in the following video:

A photo