England’s prince regent from the early 19th century, who later became King George IV, had a notoriously flamboyant lifestyle, was a leader of fashion and has been an avid collector who spent money on creating densely decorated homes. His reign (1811 to 1830) is currently called the regency period, or period of regency classicism; it followed the Georgian period.
The style has its roots in the neoclassicism of the late 18th century, but the colonial holdings of England and France and the developing knowledge of distant civilizations spurred a fascination with exotic themes. The span became a strange mix of classicism and fantasy — an age of extremes from which we take much inspiration today.
Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design
The most spectacular example of the regency period is that the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, U.K. — a home and pleasure palace intended for the prince by John Nash. A mix of Asian styles, domes, fancy chandeliers, gilded furniture and exotic pinks, greens and reds make it an illustration of the lively and fantastic aspect of regency style — similar to the look of the dining room.
1800Lighting
The classicism of the regency period’s architecture could be clearly seen here. Domes were often utilized in the grand designs of their day. Elaborate chandeliers were also popular — this one adds a lively note to the dining space.
Elizabeth Dinkel
Chinoiserie was a large characteristic of regency design, including the exotic to a more controlled and classical style. Nowadays it is possible to find many beautiful chinoiserie wallpapers in numerous colors, and also the dining room can be a terrific setting for your character’s inherent drama.
For People design
Chinoiserie is employed in panels using a contrasting shade . It gives a sense of the flamboyant and exotic regency period.
A more controlled but very popular style in this age was that the regency stripe. It’s often found in reds, golds and greens, but here it’s used to magnificent effect in a very contemporary black.
COLECCION ALEXANDRA
Classical friezes featured greatly from the architecture of the age and have been also carried through to wallpaper friezes, and as decorative motifs on a vast assortment of objects. This room shows an interpretation of the frieze over a contemporary take on the regency stripe.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
Regency furniture is tasteful, often made of woods such as mahogany and rosewood. Veneers were more popular, often with decorative inlays and decorative details in Western. The foo dog inside this hallway vignette is standard of the exoticism of the age.
English Georgian America
Regency Monopodia Console Table
Regency-style table and chair legs often carry carvings in fanciful subjects, like the leg of a lion tapering to one foot, called a monopodia. There are many regency reproductions and adaptations of the design available.