Gilt and flourishes: tips on bringing a little 'Downton Abbey' splendor home

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This August 29, 2012 publicity photo provided by The Deorologist shows Downton Abbey-inspired decor (salon-style art grouping in dining room) in home of Kristie Barnett. Intrigued by the drama and inspired by the sophisticated lifestyle of British aristocracy, many "Downton Abbey'' fans are plotting to bring the PBS series' style into their homes. From gilded finishes to opulent upholstery to portrait paintings, the style holds appeal to those trying to inject a little more formality and glamour into today's casual home decor. (AP Photo/The Decorologist, Melanie G Photography)

Intrigued by the drama and inspired by the sophistication of British aristocrats in "Downton Abbey," some fans are plotting to bring the series' style into their own homes, from gilded finishes to opulent upholstery to portrait paintings.

"We've gone so casual in the last decade in terms of home decor. I think there is a desire to be a little more formal, or a little more glamorous," says Kristie Barnett, an interior design blogger in Nashville, Tenn. "That doesn't mean it can't be family-friendly."

"Downton Abbey," in production for its fourth season, features the noble Crawley family "upstairs" and its servants "downstairs" in a sprawling country estate. The characters are struggling to bring the estate and their traditional sensibilities into the 1920s, a time of social and political ferment.

Ornate drawing rooms, flowing boudoirs, vibrant gardens and crisp, clean servants' quarters make the gorgeous backdrop for the PBS Masterpiece melodrama.

So how do you bring some of that aristocratic look into a comfortable modern home?

GILDED FOR GLAMOUR

One of the simplest ways to achieve the "upstairs" look of "Downton Abbey" is to apply gold metallic paint for a gilded finish on wood furniture, picture frames, mirror edges and other decorative items, including bookends and lamp stands.

In her living room, Barnett, who blogs at TheDecorologist.com, used gold paint to make a barley-twist coffee table appear worthy of nobility. Golden candlesticks and a crystal doorknob atop piles of books finish the look.

"Gilt was all the rage during the British Edwardian Age," says Barnett. "And it's all the rage in my house."

FURNITURE WITH FLOURISH

Richly upholstered settees, footstools, chaise lounges and Bergere chairs can add a touch of bygone beauty, but you should allow plenty of space for more livable pieces such as a traditional sofa. If you can't afford new furniture, consider adding silk or damask throw pillows.

Tapestries and oriental rugs can be affordable and add the feel of affluence. Check out Etsy.com for "Downton Abbey"-style fabrics and textiles.

LOVELY LIGHTING

Another easy way to achieve the upstairs style, while keeping things practical and comfortable, is to hang an ornate light fixture or chandelier.

Affordable plaster or stencil medallions placed around light fixtures can be another eye-catching element.

Or can use candlelight, which will bounce off mirrors, glass and crystal, creating the sort of warm glow that makes the Crawleys' multi-course dinners look so enticing.

WONDERFUL WINDOWS AND WALLS

The return to detail and decoration includes opulent upholstery, drapes and wall coverings, says Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, founder of ApartmentTherapy.com.

"People seem to be ready for more and more luxe materials and dramatic finishes," he says. "Even wallpaper, which was trending modern, is back to classic floral patterns and English traditionalism, but often with a bit of a twist."

Painted walls are darker, with a gloss finish, experts say. You can create the upper-crust feel with bold jewel tones, including emerald and sapphire.

Also in the traditional "Downton Abbey" palette, says Mary Lawlor, manager of colour marketing for Kelly-Moore Paints, are refreshing pastels and creams, One of the mansion's expansive drawing rooms, for example, features a pale green wallpaper further softened with richly upholstered furniture in a mix of rose and classic ivory.

The British nobility takes its heritage seriously, and there are painted portraits and landscapes throughout the show's castle. If you're at a rummage sale or consignment shop, pick up similar art and create a small grouping on one wall. You don't have to be descended from these sombre-looking subjects to bring their sophistication home.

LURE OF THE LIBRARY

While many elements of "Downton Abbey" style have a feminine appeal, there's no mistaking the bold, masculine feel of Lord Grantham's library. Add jewel-toned leather furniture or leather throw pillows to your reading areas for a twist to the muted espresso brown that has been popular in recent years.

Consider turning a little-used dining room into a study, using the table as a hearty desk fit for the lords and ladies of your home.

"People are wanting to do something different in their dining rooms, so a lot of dining rooms are being filled with bookcases," Barnett says. She advises painting bookcases the same shade as walls, but in a gloss or lacquer finish.

SIMPLE SENSIBILITY

Contrasting with the rich decor of the show's upstairs rooms is the subdued, neutral palette and texture of the downstairs staff's living and working quarters.

"Think natural materials like linen, cotton, raw wood, and a simplistic farmhouse-type esthetic that is influencing DIY projects," says Becki Speakman, trend and design director for Michaels Stores.

One way to fashion the look is to use washed and softened painter's dropcloths for inexpensive curtains and slipcovers.

Lawlor recommends a palette of grounded greys and varnished ivory.

Creating flourishes of "Downton Abbey" style throughout a home can add interest and refinement. But give just a nod to the era — don't try to replicate it.

"The idea is to incorporate some of the glamour of that time in our modern-day setting," Barnett says, "without creating a museum in our homes."

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Online:

www.thedecorologist.com

www.apartmenttherapy.com

www.kellymoore.com

www.michaels.com