Your Interior Era Quiz

Interior design and architecture, much like fashion and other cultural capital, have always mirrored our collective zeitgeist. The neoclassical style emerged in France in the mid-18th century as a symbol of the rejection of monarchy and the embrace of republicanism. Bauhaus came about in the wake of World War I, when morale was rather low and people sought to simplify and beautify their homes with sleek designs that were affordably mass-produced. The Art Deco design style in the United States, interestingly, ran parallel with the timeline of Bauhaus in Europe, yet showed a juxtaposed craving for excess and extravagance, which quickly came to a grinding halt with the onset of the Great Depression. Mid-century modern, characterised by simplicity and closeness to nature, was the USA’s response to post-war sentiment and practical needs.

Much like these design eras reflected human experience at the time, the way we decorate our spaces today also says something about us. The pandemic, for instance, saw many people setting up dedicated workspaces. Our collective conscience on fast consumerism and waste has driven an upcycling and second-hand culture. The out-of-pocket housing market has propelled a new industry of renterfriendly wallpaper and tiles. Homes, offices, and restaurants will always reflect how we experience the world, and what we desire to get out of it. But more than anything, our unpredictable world should drive us to craft spaces we want to exist in, that bolster community, comfort and connection.

Take this quiz to find out which pivotal design era you should incorporate into your home.

1. Which one of the following movies do you find most visually striking?

a. The Great Gatsby

b. Marie Antoinette

c. The Matrix

d. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

2. Wallpaper has made a major comeback! What kind would you consider putting on your walls?

a. A simple geometric motif

b. Scalloped gold-leaf feather shapes

c. An abstract mural

d. Faux wood panelling

3. What kind of lighting would you place in your dream dining room?

a. A white, dome pendant above the table, and a brass floor lamp in the corner

b. Crystal chandelier above the table and a candle sconces around the room

c. Three smaller pendants above the table and a glass domed floor lamp

d. Brass and sanded glass ornate chandelier and half moon sconces on the walls

4. If you had to choose just one accent colour to incorporate in your living room, what would it be?

a. Powder blue

b. Terracotta orange

c. Emerald green

d. Scarlet red

4 - 6 NEOCLASSICAL

If minimalism and maximalism had a love child, it would be the neoclassical style. Drawing inspiration from the excessive Baroque and Rococo styles, pairing them down with a modern approach, Neoclassic is defined by symmetry, clean lines, and a balanced approach to design.

Imagine huge, arched French windows, a chequered floor and an ornate fireplace. The furniture in this boujee space will then soften the extravagance of these architectural elements. It’s giving old money with lots of class, a family estate passed down through generations, but the great, great grandkids have friends in furniture design.

7 - 9 BAUHAUS

This geometry-minded design approach is defined by the principle of ‘form follows function.’ Excess ornamentation and “frills” have no place here, it’s about simplicity and the beauty thereof. To combine art and industry, Bauhaus can best be implemented in your space through strong, industrial materials like steel and concrete, paired with clean lines and primary colours. It should not be mistaken for sad, grey minimalism. Although Bauhaus does incorporate minimalist ideas, its thoughtful use of colour and practicality adds fun and flair to spaces. In short, bring in lots of solid colour, and if that lounge chair never sees a bum, it doesn’t belong.

10 - 12 ART DECO

Rich colour, decadent marble and bold geometry are just some of the basics of Art Deco design. Celebrating modernity, technology, and the machine age, Art Deco emphasised opulence and was heavily influenced by the Cubist and Futurist art movements. To implement it in your home, the best way to start is not to shy away from darker colours like deep burgundy and even back lacquer. Add brass, gold and mirrored elements and why not throw in a zebra skin on the floor. Geometry in Art Deco is best included through rounded and ornate shapes like arches, or sharp lines like chevron patterns. But it also doesn’t take itself so seriously. If you need a refresher, just watch The Great Gatsby again.

13 - 16 MID-CENTURY MODERN (MCM)

Lots and lots of wood with retro colours and curves. MCM marked a major return to the natural and organic between 1945 and the early 70’s, best defined by the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. If you happen to find yourself in a face-brick or breeze block home, I dare you to lean into the MCM style, as the neural colours and textures of these finishes lay the perfect backdrop. To implement this style in your home, try mixing modern furniture pieces with classic textiles like velvet, set the stage with earthy tones and inject colours like olive green and burnt orange. Big windows without curtains are also a major MCM moment.

SCORE: 1. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2, d - 4 2. a - 2, b - 3, c - 4, d - 1 3. a - 4, b - 1, c - 2, d - 3 4. a - 1, b - 4, c - 3, d - 2.

- Charene Labuschagne