Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications such as Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately... More »
What it is: From antique furnishings to floral-print fabrics, traditional style sometimes gets a bad rap as fusty and outdated. But that's missing the point. While it's true that this look takes its inspiration from the past, it's really about comfort. Every element feels familiar, properly placed and predictable — in a good way.
Why it works: There's a reason that traditional decorating has thrived for so long. It promises warmth and welcome, and it delivers. Refined furnishings, mannerly textiles, dignified colors and a sense of order make this beloved style easy to live with. What's more appealing than that?
You'll love it if... Chaos makes you queasy. Your favorite movies are untouched by Technicolor. You've vacationed in the same spot since you were 12. You swoon over Blue Willow and Wedgwood. Your ideal day involves a bookshelf full of classics and a tumbler of Scotch. You own anything tartan.
If you're thinking Yes! Totally me!, read on for a breakdown of what traditional style is all about, plus tactics for keeping it current.
The traditional look is all about balance, from architecture to furniture placement. Furnishings tend to be grouped in formal arrangements that invite conversation, and positioned along the axis of a room. Your pieces don't all have to match, but this isn't the style for you if you're drawn to an offbeat, eclectic mix.
Make it fresh: Although you don't want to stray too far from symmetrical placement, there are subtle ways to keep a room from feeling static. Prop a tall mirror against one wall, hang art in a grouping that creates a sense of motion, or angle a cocktail table next to an armchair. Here, the irregular shape of the rug loosens the room just enough to give it energy.
No sharp angles here — traditional rooms emphasize curves and sink-right-in comfort. Skirted pieces feel cozy and genteel and counterbalance leggy tables and chairs. Cushions are plump; pillows are plentiful.
Make it fresh: Keep skirts tailored to avoid a dated look, and choose neutral, textural fabrics to make an old-fashioned sofa or chair feel of the moment. And refrain from cramming lots of tufted furniture into a single room, or you risk looking too Victorian.
In a traditional space, color doesn't shout — it's laid-back and mellow. Neutrals such as cream, beige, taupe and tan prevail, but deeper browns, reds, greens and blues (think about a paneled library) look fab in traditional interiors as well.
Make it fresh: Neutrals are always in good taste, but if you don't want to play it too safe, think beyond the basics. Pale blue, lavender, spring green, chamois or even soft red can work in this way.
Keeping colors tone-on-tone is the key to making them sit down. Bright shades, such as lemon yellow, fuchsia or turquoise, feel newer, but to keep the style planted in traditional territory, balance them with more restrained hues — and stick with conventional positioning, architecture and accessories.
Style Secret: Rich Wood Tones Walnut, cherry, mahogany, oak — darker wood tones rule traditional style (leave the bamboo and blond maple to another house).
From walnut railings on a white staircase to cedar beams across the ceiling, it provides the warmth and coziness so essential to this look.
Make it fresh: Let hardwood floors shine: don't leave them completely bare, but don't obscure them with a rug that's too big. Layer in wood furnishings that are in the same color family for a collected, yet still pulled-together, look.
Traditional rooms are known for their beautiful finishing touches. Often, millwork and plasterwork bears strong detailing, including venerable motifs such as egg-and-dart or Greek key, and is painted crisp white or ivory. Although traditional trim doesn't have to be ornate, it does need to add visual weight; skimpy moldings or a floating mantel won't seem at home.
Make it fresh: Give an elaborately carved fireplace surround an updated spin by keeping the mantel arrangement simple and clean. Let wainscoting blend into the wall. Eschew elaborate columns and finials in favor of cleaner — but still classic — lines.
Kilims, Persian carpets and Oriental rugs never go out of style (good thing, because after you spend the cash for a top-quality floor covering, you won't want to hide it away). And they're like fine jewelry: You can make them work with anything. They have a way of blending into the background, yet their presence always anchors the room.
Make it fresh: Frankly, this is one element that's better as-is. But if you want to try something different, you could layer an Oriental rug on top of a sisal or seagrass one (not, we beg you, the other way around). Or play with scale: a small rug next to a larger one, or three narrow rugs in a row.
Skip the chrome — you want metals with soft, warm undertones. Think brass, bronze and copper for lighting and plumbing fixtures. Gilt-framed mirrors and artwork are always on point. Crystal chandeliers and sconces complement traditional elegance nicely.
Make it fresh: First: No '80s-era shiny brass. Instead, choose metals with some tarnish, patina or texture. Oil-rubbed bronze looks updated but blends well with classic décor. Or try pewter — it worked for the Colonists.
Plaids, stripes, florals, toile and more — each has a place in traditional style (sometimes, all in the same room). Feel free to mix and match, but stay in the same tight palette, and don't go too bold or splashy.
Make it fresh: No matter what, patterns in a traditional room should have that fundamental sense of symmetry. But you can update them by choosing an oversize scale and upbeat color. The damask fabric on the dining chair here adds punch without straying too far from its traditional roots.
Sweeping silhouettes, luxe fabrics and embellishments such as tassels draw attention to traditional draperies. Panels — either straight or pleated, and with or without finials or tiebacks — and valances are old standbys. Simple plantation shutters work well too.
Make it fresh: Don't let draperies puddle, which feels tired. Layer simple curtain panels over a rattan or bamboo shade instead of sheers. If you're a fan of streamlined styles, choose Roman shades. Just be careful about matching curtain fabric to furniture fabric; too much of the same print can feel cloying and overwrought.
Just as a good host blanches at the thought of seeing guests underfed, a traditionalist can't stomach cold, blank walls or sparsely populated shelves, which defeat the all-important air of welcome. Collections are massed together or fanned out in a logical way: china, figurines, plants, books, boxes, globes.
If it's not mounted over the mantel, art usually follows the hang-it-at-eye-level rule; a group of similar pieces often sport identical frames and are arranged in a tidy grid. Plates and platters look right at home on the walls. Mirrors tend to be grand and gracious (think sunburst, bull's-eye or Venetian).
Make it fresh: Austere paintings and sculpture will strike an off note in a traditional space, but you don't have to stick with Renoir reproductions and hunting scenes, either. Lots of modern art feels soft and graceful enough to fit in, and, of course, black-and-white photography is timeless and versatile. Leaving canvases frameless can make them feel less formal.
Unless you're into fern bars, pass up frilly plants in favor of more sculptural foliage. Consider simple ironstone, Delft or creamware instead of porcelain; balance elaborately patterned pieces with clean white ones.
Tell us: What's your style? Straight-on traditional, or traditional with a twist?
These rooms are just beautiful, I am traditional but also love doing old furniture over
in pastels. i love this houzz net. I am a Mom, Granmom and a Great Granmom Frani916
Beautiful, classic rooms. The only one I didn't care for was the last picture of the kitchen...way too cluttered in my opinion. I think they need to take about half of that stuff out. Looked messy.
Often times you here of couples with opposite tastes in decor. I have to say that is absolutely one area my husband and i agree completely. I would say "traditional with a twist". Comfy, cozy, welcoming but when you look a little longer, closer, a clever, perhaps, eclectic or unexpected touch.
Supersonya, I've always described my style as "traditional with a twist" also. I like the familiarity but also love having that unexpected element. Fortunately, my husband is on board with the look!
I think you've nailed it - traditional feels welcoming, modern has too much energy for comfort. By the way, I'm eclectic traditional with a touch of georgian/victorian/farmhouse.
As a traditionalist, I enjoyed this house also. Its kitchen & living rm were the least attractive to me... too much white. And I am thankful I do not have to vacuum those stairs.
I'm sorry...have we met? :) lol I think this is the best ideabook I've seen! Mainly because I can relate to it so well. Your words have described my taste to a "T"! I want my home to say "warmth and welcome"....I am traditional with ALL your "Make it Fresh" suggestions! Thank you for this ideabook!
Thank you for the article. It was good to get ideas about how to do traditional without it seeming stuffy or overdone. My husband loves traditional, I'm still not sure. I keep thinking I like more modernist decor but at the end of the day I keep coming back to cream and brown tones and classic pieces. So maybe I'm a traditionalist after all? Can't say I own any tartan though!
Hi team1s - Transitional style, which bridges the gap between contemporary and traditional, may appeal to you. Keep an eye out for a guide to that one.
When you describe traditional, would you say baseboards are paint grade as a rule? I'm trying to pull off stained paneling over a end wall of windows in the living room - a traditional paneled look- but am struggling with whether to paint or stain baseboards there AND throughout the rest of the house. It's expensive, like the woodwork around the windows. Only your library photo has wood stained baseboards... just curious.
I have a very hard time finding my style. I like the traditional style but the colors seem so bland to me. I like strong colors. I fear that if I try to use the traditional style and use the colors I like it will come off looking ridiculous. And the styles that I find use the colors that I like, I do not like the other elements. These pictures show a style that uses far too much white and cream and beige for my taste, yet I love the architectural features and the furnishings.
Hi Caryns - You absolutely can have rich color in traditional rooms. Sapphire blue, indigo, crimson, plum, mustard, deep green, salmon, caramel, dusty pink - those can all work beautifully with this look. (Check out the library photo that's fourth from the top.) I think of traditional colors as warm and slightly "dirty" - i.e., with a hint of brown or black in them. Another route is to try a very classic palette, such as blue and yellow, or deep red and soft gold. Hope this is helpful!
This is the best collection of designs yet! Each designer did a wonderful job - and the "style secrets" and "make it fresh" comments are so well done. I've always been traditional; the description gets a negative connotation these days, but the way it is exhibited in these designs makes it very current once more. Thanks!
I love traditional style that is on the more casual side, leaning towards cottage. The warmth and comfort of style with the bright colors for the cheerful aspect. Thanks for all the great photos! I love Houzz :)
I'm very traditional but inspired by the islands. Persian rugs and corals! Everything in order, mess or clutter is not for me. Thanks for your inspiration!
I'm the traditional gal with leanings towards Tuscan, but with the exception of the heavy wood/tartan thing. Classic elegance without stuffiness. Architectural mouldings. Crystal. Symmetry. Oh, yeah. The kitchen shown is too white and cottage-like for my taste. I like a more Tuscan kitchen--very architectural with light tans, beiges.
I am traditional though and through, but since we just bought a small cottage on a lake, I'm thowing a twist in my life! I've had the browns beige's and cream colored walls through my whole life....now I've gone what I call "Cottage Chic Contemporary" But still love the traditional side!
Andy - that's a great question, and points out something I may not have made clear in the blurb. I really meant that, if you were to leave wood natural, a richer tone would work better with a traditional interior. But painting is certainly an option with this look. There are lots of fantastic white kitchens that maintain a traditional feel - check out this gallery for inspiration: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1393677/list/Kitchen-Workbook--15-Elements-of-a-Traditional-Kitchen.
I am a rich natural wood look never cover up real wood give the real wood a light satin stain, lots of cool grante canbinet tops and back splash tons of stainles steel around the cook top and a ton of room in the Kitchen so many people can walk and be free not feeling like a sardin in a can.....
I thought I was traditional. I like more color. Old Pine floors, covered with Oriental rugs and refinished antique furniture. I use the colors in my rugs to chose the fabrics on upholstered furniture. A
warmer look than what I see here.
Trying to find my "new" style...just moved from CT to NC and am trying to reinvent my CT traditional style to something more crisp...make any sense? Sold all my furniture and starting from scratch...NOT as easy as I thought!
I wasn't sure if I was traditional - although I have always loved antiques. Now I mix some newer stuff with the old. I realize my colors are very traditional...what do you think?
Amazing! Such creativity in one site. Traditional can cover many tastes, but these designers offer ideas and solutions in each picture. If anyone has become overwhelmed about a redo, then this is the place to come for inspiration and direction for color schemes to cabinets to flooring to furniture placement, even creative designs for functionality and organization. Look closely to avoid missing a subtle treasure.
Patricia, I think a creamy ivory wall color would look great! Benjamin Moore's Linen White is my go-to favorite. Have you thought about Roman shades for the windows, in a neutral fabric or a natural material such as rattan? Jcarey - transitional style may be what you're looking for. We'll be doing an ideabook on that one soon - let me know what you think when it posts! Valgrills, you definitely have a lot of traditional elements, but with some updated touches and cleaner lines. Like Jcarey, you may be interested in transitional style. Thanks for all the pics and comments! Keep them coming.
