"An illustrated celebration of the mixed use of styles, objects and ephemera from previous eras in modern interior decoration - particularly in commercial, retail and hotel premises. The classification of decorative styles throughout history are linked to a particular set of aesthetic principles which reflected the taste and the fashion of a specific place at a specific time. They were mainly established by influential families and courtiers who created a style based on their ruler's architectural tastes and decoration. These were embodied in palaces, mansions and residences of the higher classes, as well as in the furniture and fixtures that they ordered. The arrival of the industrial revolution and the mass creation of objets d'art resulted in a more frequent succession of decorative styles that were made available to all social classes." -- provided by publisher.