Overview
The continuing popularity of Old World style is about more than just antiques and urophilia. What makes this aesthetic so appealing is its underlying spirit of fine craftsmanship, dedicated artistry, and high-quality materials. European antiques are wonderful not merely because they are old and beautiful but because they represent a time when artisans were committed to rendering even the most tilitarian of objects as works of art.
In today's modern world, much of this quality is sacrificed in favor of affordability and availability. Interior designer David Naylor honors the same spirit that inspired the artisans of long ago by commissioning custom creations from modern craftspeople who bring a high level of devotion to their work-woodworkers, furniture makers, stoneworkers, and tile artists. With the help of their talents, he is able to design furnishings and architectural elements that capture the warm, traditional ambience of stately European homes or rustic country retreats while introducing contemporary sensibilities. He uses the same time-honored materials that the workers of old employed-wood, stone, tile, and glass-and incorporates many of the features that characterized their work: arches, columns, intricate floor designs, and beamed ceilings. These are enhanced by carved wooden insets, painted panels, distinctive doors, and furniture that is perfectly scaled to a room's proportions.
Whether inspired by a Tuscan villa or a Spanish Colonial hacienda, Naylor builds on the essence of the style to create something new rather than merely reproduce the old.
In this way, he constructs a tradition that is uniquely the homeowner's, one that reflects today while becoming tomorrow's heirloom.
DAVID NAYLOR Trained as a painter and visual artist, Naylor turns to furniture and interior design to feature pieces that he incorporates into his design commissions. He is owner of the interior design firm and showroom Visions Design Group in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he also lives.
Synopsis
Interior designer David Naylor embraces the broad range of possibilities presented by a world of materials old and new, of objects both found and manufactured. He calls his approach "infusion design," by which he means capturing the ideas of the Old World without forgetting about the present, stirring melting pots of cultures and allowing opposites to coexist, and pulling together objects from around the world. The timelessness, natural warmth, and adaptability of the popular Southwestern style aesthetic provide an appealing backdrop for his interpretations, which eschew the cliches while retaining the essence. The architectural elements of the region-round beams, adobe walls, natural wood finishes-create a versatile aesthetic that can embrace an infinite variety of designs, while the nomadic nature of Americans generally, who move freely about the country bringing their favorite decor items with them, makes for limitless opportunities to infuse designs with intriguing juxtapositions and unexpected placements.
Orlando Sentinel
"Old meets new. It doesn't have to be one or the other. You can have a home that blends both old and new decor. Old World Interiors: A Modern Interpretation by David Naylor showcases homes that incorporate the aesthetics of the Old World with contemporary style. The book shows readers how to create something new by combining classic Old-World features such as arches and columns with the characteristics of modern homes."