Europeon Compound Wall Styles

Greco-Roman Styles

• This particular motif is common in neo-classical homes. This approach to decoration emphasizes strength, regularity and order. It stresses straight lines, repetition and geometric figures, especially triangles. Black is an important color. Curves exist in the Greco-Roman design, but these are always ensconced in a straight geometric motif. In a wall design, this can serve as a design carved in the wall's woodwork, or pillars carved directly into the wall. Cut out, curved wall shelves and alcoves are also a part of this wall design. There is much space used in the Greco-Roman design, so it is never dominant. It serves mostly as an accent.

Slavic Styles

• The Slavic style is a pattern of natural, curving shapes and sharp angles interlocking. This creates a vivid pattern, usually on a white background. The pattern itself is usually black and red, though light blue and yellow are common too. On a wall, this would more likely serve as a decorative border between the top and bottom of a wall, with the top being slightly larger than the bottom. Slavic colors are outrageously bright and highly contrasting. Red is always significant here; the brighter the better. Slavic patterns are usually busy and intricate, like the Celtic style.

Celtic Styles

• The famous “knot” design is perfect for compound walls. The best bet here is to use the wall itself as a backdrop. The knot design can be carved directly into the wood or Sheetrock. Iron or faux-iron designs can be added to the wall as pieces directly attached to the wall itself. These would take the form of panels embedded or embossed with the know designs in muted, earth-tones so common in the Celtic style. “Stone” looking patters are popular here, and can serve as the basis of an attached wall panel. Celtic knot-work is complex and busy. It does not leave much space. This means design panels of molding should be used sparingly so as to not overwhelm the viewer.

Balkan Styles

• The Balkan is a mix of the eastern European, Greek and Turkish. Here, curved designs are paramount. These should be simple, stark and repetitive. Repeating small squares or triangles are important in the Balkan design motif. Like the Slavic, natural objects like trees, birds or grapes are very important, and can easily become part of the design motif. Molding design, alcoves or panel carvings can incorporate the Balkan design of natural simplicity.