Past Perfect: How Historical Influence Shapes Modern Interior Design

Design isn’t created in a vacuum. Whether you realize it or not, the choices we make today — from the hardware on a drawer to the pattern on a throw pillow — are often echoes of the past. At House of Thayer, we’re continually inspired by the historical narratives that live in the materials, patterns, and forms of earlier eras.

Understanding these references isn’t just a design flex — it helps us create interiors that feel rooted, intentional, and enduring.

Let’s take a closer look at how history continues to shape the way we design — especially when it comes to wallpaper, motifs, hardware, and furniture.

1. Wallpaper & Pattern Motifs: Storytelling on the Walls

From the hand-blocked prints of the Arts & Crafts movement to the bold geometrics of Art Deco, wallpaper has always been a storytelling medium. Historical wallpaper motifs weren’t just decorative — they were cultural reflections of their time.

Influences We Still See Today:

• Chinoiserie (17th–18th century): Stylized flora, birds, and pagodas still influence high-end wallpapers today. Think hand-painted panels or digitally printed modern takes.

• Victorian florals: Dense botanical patterns, once popular in parlors, are back in updated colorways and sustainable substrates.

• Art Nouveau (early 1900s): Organic curves and vine-like forms inspired by nature — we often reference these in our more fluid wallpaper designs.

At House of Thayer, we believe wallpaper is the fastest way to add soul to a space — especially when it nods to the past without feeling trapped in it.

2. Hardware: The Jewelry of the Home

Hardware may be small, but it carries big historical weight. From the utilitarian iron latches of early American shaker style to the refined curves of French Rococo, the styles we gravitate toward today are often modern interpretations of these timeless details.

Timeless Touchpoints:

• Mid-century modern pulls: Clean lines and mixed materials (brass + wood) born from Bauhaus ideals.

• Art Deco escutcheons: Geometric and glamorous, perfect for a touch of drama.

• Victorian knobs & backplates: Heavily detailed, often in aged brass or glass — we love curating AND making these with original patina intact.

The right hardware doesn’t just open a drawer — it opens a dialogue with history.

3. Furniture: Form, Function & Heritage

So much of today’s “new” furniture design is a re-translation of classical form. Even the most contemporary pieces often trace back to centuries-old silhouettes — reimagined through modern materiality or proportion.

Legacy in the Living Room:

• Windsor chairs: Once symbols of 18th-century utility, now popular in minimalist homes with a matte black finish.

• Louis XVI settees: The neoclassical lines? Still seen in every high-end catalog — often without the original gilding.

• Campaign furniture: Inspired by military travel, these collapsible pieces with leather and brass details are having a quiet revival.

In our studio, we love sourcing vintage furniture because these pieces don’t just last — they already have a story. All we do is help you continue it.

Why It Matters

Referencing history in design isn’t about copying the past — it’s about understanding its language. When you know how to recognize a Regency foot or a William Morris motif, you start to make more informed, intentional choices. That’s the magic of timeless design: it’s layered, meaningful, and built to last.

At House of Thayer, we use our material expertise to connect you to those stories — helping you create spaces that respect the past, live beautifully in the present, and hold up well into the future.

William Morris' classic ‘Willow Bough’ design makes for an elegant backdrop to the original loo in textile designer Natasha James' Yorkshire house. 

Want to Bring Historical Depth into Your Space?

We’re here to help — whether it’s sourcing period-authentic hardware or manufacturing it, sourcing the perfect mid century modern credenza, OR creating wallpaper with the perfect heritage twist.

Reply to this email hello@houseofthayer.com or DM us on Instagram with “HISTORY” and we’ll send you our free guide:
“Material Matters: A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable, Story-Driven Interiors.”

Let’s make your space a part of design history — not just a trend.

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