As the world remembers Queen Elizabeth II and her legacy, one thing is clear, there will never be another like her. Stories of her sensibility, love of family and country, wit, and style fill our news feeds. Her influence has spanned decades and will have a lasting effect on society and culture.
This legacy is sure to include the simple, timeless and traditional design elements she favored for her many homes. As outsiders, we saw pictures of grand rooms filled with art, tapestries and ornate furnishings. However, many designers who worked with the Queen noted that her preferences were “surprisingly understated.”
The British news outlet, Express, posted a story about the late monarch’s design sensibilities, quoting several decorators that worked with the Queen throughout the post.
According to one expert, the Queen often chose simplicity over ornate design. The designer noted she had a “make due and mend” approach which was a product of her generation, and all she experienced. She would often only replace items that were unfixable. Very frugal of Her Majesty.
Another designer noted that the monarch had a fondness for “normal” things, such as keeping old toys displayed and placing knickknacks in many rooms. In photos and videos of the Queen, she would also showcase the importance of family with photos lining desks and shelves. This is something we can all relate to.
She is the Queen who was tasked with modernizing the monarchy; however, even while accomplishing this, she would hold true to her values and traditions when it came to decorating. This allowed not only for her own personal connections to the past, but also a country and its people routed in history. She will not soon be forgotten and may she rest in peace.
Photo credit: By Pete Souza – P040109PS-0691_1 The Official White House Photostream, Public Domain
