Titanic Remembrance Day (April 15th) – Interior Designer Provides 10 Brilliant Titanic-Inspired Home Decor Ideas

On April 15th 1912, the RMS Titanic was sad to meet its watery end in the depths of the Atlantic, just four days into her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. However, although the wreck is starting to decay, the legacy of the Titanic is not, and the stories of passengers and life aboard this magnificent vessel have captivated the world for generations.

One element that continues to inspire and leave us in awe is the intricately decorated interior of the ship, from the famous grand staircase to the stunning staterooms. Here are some ideas from interior design expert Ryan McDonough at MyJobQuote.co.uk on how to recreate the vintage sophistication of first-class spaces with a modern twist:

Use Large Floral Prints

Wallpaper adorned with large floral prints will add a dramatic flair to any room, perfectly reminiscent of the staterooms aboard the Titanic. Smaller patterns can make the walls of a room look too busy, whereas larger prints will add elegance and refinement.

Vintage-inspired dark-hue wallpapers reflect the style of the 1900s and bring the feel of a first-class cabin to any room. If too much-patterned wallpaper is not your style, try incorporating one bold feature wall with the other walls of the room painted in plain, neutral colours.

Elevate Your Walls

Wallpaper wasn’t the only decorative feature of the luxurious Titanic cabins, and each wall was intricately detailed. Adding elements such as wall trimmings, gold accents and corner embellishments will instantly elevate the vertical space in a room.

Dress up the walls and ceilings with moulding designs that add depth and dimension to the space. Blending the edges between the wall and ceiling with the continuation of moulding will draw attention up and make the ceilings feel higher than they actually are – perfect for smaller spaces.

Play with Textures

The furniture in a first-class cabin would have been equally impressive, with wood carvings and upholstery fabrics in different designs and materials. Adding different materials and textures to your interior design will go a long way towards mimicking these elegant quarters.

Wool, cotton, and leather are amongst a variety of materials that are ideal for your everyday seating and sleeping areas. For a real lavish look and authentic atmosphere, add in luxurious materials such as velvet mixed among other textures.

Upcycle Furniture

As well as different fabrics and materials, each piece of furniture aboard the upper-class areas Titanic was an intricate work of art, adorned with ornate details. Vintage furniture is seeing a huge rise in popularity in interior design, making creating your stateroom with a modern twist simple.

You can bring an elegant and sophisticated touch of the old world to your existing furniture or vintage pieces that you find on the market with just a touch of paint. Stick to dark or neutral colours to create that real authentic feel.

Add Ornate Accessories

The smallest of décor pieces can be statement worthy, and the accessories that you decorate shelves, mantels, tabletops etc. with are what is going to really deliver that extra dramatic impact. Antique vases, dishes, and old ornate clocks are all perfect elements for creating a vintage vibe.

Accessories that look and feel old can evoke feelings of nostalgia and make a space feel warm and inviting. For a modern aesthetic twist, try blending a mix of vintage décor with contemporary furniture such as oval coffee tables and glass end tables.

Consider a Canopy

To add that extra touch of glamour to your Titanic inspired bedroom, consider installing a canopy above the bed. These beautiful features were once primarily intended for warmth and privacy but can serve as a stunning statement piece in a more modern bedroom.

If you do not already have four-bed posts from which to hang your canopy, you can easily create the look by fastening on some curtain rod ceiling brackets. Hang the rods around the bed frame and adorn with your choice of curtains, whether they be sheer or complete blackout.

Light Up with Style

The luxurious staterooms of the Titanic featured multiple light sources, from wall sconces to lamps and ornate chandeliers. Incorporating a variety of different types of lighting and mixing up diverse styles will create a classic and authentic appeal.

One of the most noticeable task lighting sources in these luxurious cabins was the wall sconces, which allowed light to cascade down the walls. Additional lighting, such as pendant lights and table lamps, will bring that extra touch of charm.

Add Vintage Artwork

Decorate your walls with an art collection that fits the vintage vibe and reflects the style of the era. Pieces from artists such as Picasso and Monet will look wonderful, but it costs both time and money to collect them, so vintage-inspired pieces from a local market or duplicate prints will work just fine.

There are also a number of decorative pieces to be found based around the Titanic itself that will beautifully showcase the theme of your home. From paintings of the ship exterior, to maps and recreations of authentic White Star Line posters, there is something to suit every taste.

Incorporate Wood

Wood was found in every space of a state cabin from the sitting room, bedroom, breakfast area, and dressing room. It is a great idea when recreating the look to combine several types of wood like oak, pine, and mahogany with additional textured furniture such as wicker tables and chairs.

The natural material of wicker furniture will add softness, break up negative space and bring a contemporary feel amongst the more traditional elements of your interior design. Wood furnishings can be incorporated in spaces such as the ends of sofas, between two accent chairs or in the entryway to your home.

Decorate with Fresh Flowers

Tall arrangements of freshly cut flowers placed in stunning ornate vases brought a pop of natural, organic elegance to any room of the Titanic. The flowers can be long stem or short stem – the choice is yours. The key is in how they are strategically arranged and placed on tabletops to deliver vintage glamour.

Some of the best indoor flowering plants include African violets, peace lilies, orchids, and begonias. Each come with varying price ranges and maintenance requirements so choose ones that bring a touch of luxury that fits in with your lifestyle and budget.

Final Thoughts

Recreating the look and feel of the Titanic within your own home can be easily achieved to suit a range of different styles, tastes and budgets. Play around with what you already own and add a few statement pieces to really bring that old world charm to your contemporary property.

April 15th marks the annual Titanic Remembrance Day, a day to honour and remember the souls who tragically lost their lives at sea on that fateful night. The sinking of the Titanic remains one of the most impactful disasters ever to occur at sea, so it is important for us to take this time each year to reflect and pay our respects to those who were lost.

RYAN MCDONOUGH:

Ryan is an interior design expert with 15 years worth of experience in the field. Ryan works closely with clients to make their visions come to life at a price that suits their budget. Ryan also provides expert interior design comments for MyJobQuote and has been featured in a range of top publications.

MyJobQuote is one of the UK’s top trades matching sites that helps individuals find a reputable tradesperson in their local area.

MyJobQuote also has a wide range of experts with extensive knowledge in interior design, cleaning, gardening, property, construction and more. MyJobQuote’s experts have been featured in over 700 publications, including Woman and Home, The Times, House Beautiful, BBC News and more.