Decorating Styles for Achieving Timeless Design

When thinking about design and glossy magazines, its easy to forget that photography is the art that brings it all together. At the 1stDibs Photo Archive, an archive of photographed interiors, which highlights the photographers, you can choose an inspiring photo and then "search the look on 1stDibs" to find antiques and furniture that will create a similar space.


It's pretty awesome. 

Miguel Flores-Vianna

While searching through the photo archive, I was drawn to the minimalist decorating photos. It seems that this "less is more" style can be put together with many other decorating styles. Minimalist architectures use glass, steel and concrete in their work. The design focuses on including only essential items needed to fill a room. It intentionally leaves out prints, patterns and lots of color. 


I find myself drawn to minimalist mixed with rustic styles. I like the contrast of the wood with the coldness of the style.

Melanie Acevedo

 Pieter Estersohn

I love this rug. It provides the softness that would otherwise be missing from the setting. There are touches of Japanese influence. Traditional Japanese is part of the history of minimalism.

In this setting, the designer stripped everything unnecessary from the scene. The fire brings in the warmth to keep it friendly. The photo is from pinterest.

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This living room is relatively bare with white walls. The worn leather settees provide the warmth and comfort, as well as the linen curtains. If the designer instead used a white slipcovered couch, like the ottomon, I wouldn't find this room as great. Photo via Cote de Texas.

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What do you think about these photos, below?

 I really like the dark timber with the collection of bottles in the first photo, and in the next photo, the hanging pictures on the wall. It adds a level of interest and personality.

Photo credits

Too minimalistic? Or is it too rustic? hmmm.

Miguel Flores-Vianna

Now I'll be spending even more time searching 1st Dibs, finding matches to lust after and guessing how many thousands (outta my price range)...the pieces fall under.  I wonder if the photographers have this same dilemma after looking at their own work?