The Regency style , called thus by the regency (1811-1820) of prince George of Wales, later crowned like George IV, king of England (1820-1830), was mainly a delayed development of the neoclassic style. The forms were made heavier, larger and more ornamented. Often an increasing taste by the exotic Turkish, Indian and Egyptian topics was used.
Member of a rich family of Dutch bankers, Thomas Hope (1769-1831) was the main exponent of the Regency taste in England . In the 1780 decade he traveled by all Europe and Near East, and gathered a spectacular amount of Greece, Rome and Egypt antique objects. Hope wanted their furniture complemented their collection, so design silver, textiles and furniture pieces based on the classic designs. The Hope Greek chair Klismos , for example, was adapted from domestic scenes in the Greek vases and located in a decorated sculptured gallery with tapered Greek Doric columns. The simplest designs of Hope were popularized by the cabinetmaker George Smith and very copied at the beginning of 19 century.
Well, enough of the tired regency-style neo-whatever nonsense - today, Regency is youthful, energetic, sophisticated, eclectic and fun. It's grown up without being stuck-up. The following are some amazing interiors to illustrate.