Edwardian look returns to popularity — a century later

White washed woods and pastel colors are always in style. They seem to tickle someone’s fancy at almost any given time in history. Ever wonder where they originated? The trends started with the Edwardian and art nouveau era way back in the early 1900s. The washed woods and pastel colors aren’t the only styles that keep us up to date in an old-fashioned kind of way. It seems everything old is new again.

Let’s compare some other similarity between the Edwardian/art nouveau era and the current one starting with wall treatments. We tend to use heavy woodworking in dens or in-home offices but that is about the extent of it. Back in the early 1900s, heavy woodworking was only used occasionally and certainly not in every room. Smooth or lightly textured walls were simply painted, faux painted or wallpapered just as they are today. Stenciling, particularly around doorways was popular back then and still holds interest in current interior design motifs.

What about floors? Polished-wood flooring was popular, particularly the parquet pattern with oriental or other area rugs defining space. If wall-to-wall carpet was used, it was mostly unsculptured, without pattern and usually pale in color. Sound like the current décor? Sometimes the stenciling used around the doors was echoed on the wood floors, which is another design idea we still use today.

In furniture style, there was a distinction between the Edwardian and the art nouveau. If they were following Edwardian principles, the furniture was light in feeling and upright in shape. There was a classical feel about them. The art nouveau furniture, on the other hand, was more voluptuous. Today, both styles are acceptable, depending on personal preference.

Light, airy, elegant swags with tails suited the early 1900 windows in the formal settings, while pouf valances took care of the less formal ones. Here we are, over 100 years later, repeating the same styles.

Though it seems not much ever changes, there are nuances that bring things up to date. For example, the voluptuous furniture of the 1900s had heavier fabric treatments than the ones we prefer today. Current window treatment fabrics are more flowing and softer to the touch than the ones used in the Edwardian era. We have greater choices of carpet colors than those available 100 years ago.

It is comforting to know that some things never change.

Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of “Mystery of Color.”