The empire style is otherwise called the imperial style or late classicism. In the 19th century, its use was mandatory in the design of official halls, personal chambers of the imperial, royals, and the highest nobility. Its magnificent splendor was supposed to demonstrate the status, social and financial position of the owners of the premises.
Modern Empire cuisineToday, the style, of course, has undergone certain changes, but it remains a priority in the design of apartments, cottages of wealthy people who value interiors, sustained in the classical canons. Living room, bedroom or kitchen in the Empire style, despite some modernity, still look chic, impressing with the correct form and balanced sophistication.
Signs and features of style
Empire style is the complete opposite of minimalism. That is, empty spaces, affordable materials and general restraint are completely absent in it.
This style can be easily recognized by the following features:
Important! It is possible to recreate the ideal Empire style in the kitchen only if it is a large room with sufficiently high ceilings, huge windows, double doors, since this style requires spaciousness and impressive spaces.
From the point of view of architecture, the Empire style is characterized by the presence of columns, various arches, pilasters, wall and ceiling bas-reliefs in the room. Only expensive materials are used in the decoration: precious woods, Venetian plasters, natural stone, marble, etc.
Only massive furniture with semi-columns, overhead, volumetric reliefs, facade cornices corresponds to the imperial style.
Furnishings can include rich and luxurious objects such as a fireplace, antique sculptures, paintings in massive gilded frames, floor vases and clocks. Everything should show luxury, exclusivity, wealth.
Color scheme, layout
The Empire style color palette is always calm, light, kept in the key of pastel uniformity. Any flashy shades, accents, contrasts, abrupt transitions are unacceptable.
White, milky, pale yellow shades and, of course, gilding prevail. The last element of the color palette must be present in the kitchen.
Gilding was always loved in Europe and Russia during the era of Alexander the First, who, by the way, introduced the Empire to the rank of the main imperial style. Empire kitchen decoration should be generous with gilding. Moreover, it can be present on walls and ceilings, furniture and lamps, dishes and cutlery.
As for the layout, in the classic Empire, zoning certainly takes place. Only they do it not with color and light, but with arched structures, colonnades, furniture sets, soft sofa zones.
The set in the imperial kitchen, like in any other, takes center stage. It can be linear, U-shaped, island-shaped. The choice will depend on the geometry of the room itself.
If the kitchen is rectangular, you should stop at a linear headset. If the room is of medium size and square, an u-shaped headset should be installed in it.
An island type of furniture complex is suitable for a spacious square room. Very often, preference is given to corner headsets. But in this case, for balance on the opposite wall, you should install a soft dining area or a large dishware sideboard.
Empire style kitchen design (photo)
Wall squares in the spirit of imperial classicism are always light and always smooth. You can decorate them with Venetian plasters or exclusive tiles: special series exclusively for the Empire style are produced by several manufacturers. There are even ceramic wall panels in the form of long columns.
The ceiling should also have a smooth structure with stucco elements located only in the area where the chandelier is attached or around the perimeter. For the floor, you can pick up a special tile, the surface of which imitates the texture of natural wood. This tile also has a special name - ceramic parquet. Also, natural stone, marble, tile collections of various shapes and patterns are suitable for the floor.
Various accessories are of great importance for the kitchen interior in the Empire style. This list fits perfectly:
You can find out what an Empire style kitchen might look like by looking at an extensive selection of photos on our website.
Furniture and lighting
Empire-style kitchen furniture is mostly made from natural varieties of wood, necessarily light shades.
Sometimes there are countertops made of natural stone or materials that imitate it. Also, wood is used for finishing door arches, openings, window frames. Since the Empire is a classic style with a great desire for antiquity, pilasters, vegetable edging, scallops, and denticles are often found in the decoration of furniture facades.
Important! The most important thing is to observe the measure: despite the wealth and luxury, this style does not at all welcome excessiveness.
Modern Empire style allows for glazed cabinet doors. Often there is gilding or other inlay on them. The main function of the glass walls is to demonstrate to the guests of the kitchen expensive, often antique dishes placed on the shelves.
The kitchen table - square or round - must be solid and stable. The chairs around it, in the old fashion, are usually leather, with armrests. Their legs can represent the paws of lions, tigers, and other animals.
Other upholstery options - brocade, satin, velvet. The number of chairs, poufs and other seating items must be even, and their arrangement must comply with the laws of symmetry, blend harmoniously into the interior, and not create visual dissonances.
Classic Imperial cuisine requires bright, yet warm, even lighting. The ideal option is a large crystal chandelier with wrought iron elements and candle-shaped bulbs. It is usually located above the main table. Complemented by a lighting ensemble of sconces, table lamps.
On a note! Since today the Empire style has become more modern and free, the shape of the lamps can be laconic and simple, and their arrangement can be suspended, wall-mounted, floor-mounted.
However, in terms of colors, you should adhere to the same pastel, light palette.
Often, lampshades in the Empire style imitate flower buds, bouquets. But the stands of the lamps can be made in the form of animal figures holding the plafonds in their paws. Soffits, neon lamps, other modern lighting elements in the Empire style interior should be completely absent.
