How did Robert Adam and his brothers change interior decoration in Scotland?

In their early work in Scotland, Robert Adam and his brothers introduced a new, lighter, and almost Rococo style of interior decoration. This shift marked a departure from the more conservative Palladian style that had previously dominated the architectural landscape under their father, William Adam.1

As Robert Adam’s career progressed—particularly after he developed the mature "Adam style" in London with his brother James—his approach to interiors became defined by a meticulous attention to detail. This decorative style was characterized by a new lightness and freedom in the use of classical elements, incorporating influences from Roman archaeology, Italian Renaissance ornamentation, and contemporary French design. Robert Adam is chiefly remembered as a designer of interiors, where he oversaw every element of a room, from the carpets to the most subtle decorative features.2