Blending the Past With Current Trends
The word “traditional” appeals to images of warmth, refinement, and enduring style. It’s a design aesthetic that transcends trends, offering a comforting embrace of history and sophistication.
It can also invoke a negative connotation of dark, dusty, musty smelling, wallpaper peeling, creaky floor-sounding old lady houses! Traditional is not for everyone. However, owning a fixer-upper classic is an extremely popular venture lately.
If you’re a lover of Ralph Lauren (like me), Lee Radziwill, or Mario Buatta how do you translate this timeless elegance into your own home? Let’s touch on six key elements that form the foundation of traditional décor. A starter guide toward crafting a space that speaks volumes about our love for classic beauty.
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1. Formal Balance: A Symphony of Order and Harmony
When we enter a traditionally decorated room, our eyes drink in a vast landscape of symmetrical arrangements. Mismatched, yet immaculately coordinated furniture flanks fireplaces in mirrored perfection. Armchairs stand sentinel on either side of coffee tables adorned with statuary in flavors and colors of the Orient.
The emphasis on balance isn’t merely aesthetic. It exists to foster a sense of order to the tranquility. Much like an orchestra, rugs, and furniture serve as the bass and percussion of your composition, bringing a solid foundation to the arrangement. In that capacity, it must be spaced to accommodate the natural flow of a formally dressed body.
The art on the wall stands as the stringed instrumentals of the room’s melody. Their stately placement envelopes the surroundings and provides the overall mood. The colors, subject, style, and size of the art provoke a subliminal, if not openly conscious feeling to the occupant as does the melody of an overture.
Commonly referred to as the mood of the room, setting that mood is opening the book to your lifestyle.
Finally, the lighting, statuary, and floral arrangements are the wind instruments in our opus, likened appropriately to the icing on the cake. They bring all of the pre-existing elements together, under a sweet spell of discovery, intrigue, visual pleasure, and cohesive juxtapose.
The room itself is defined into separate areas through the use of decorative rugs, furniture placement, and even color blocking to create imaginary boundaries that naturally draw groups into intimate circles.
2. Rich Color Palettes: Where Warmth Meets Sophistication
Surprisingly the modern traditional color palette knows no bounds. However, there are a few truly hard-core colors; those born of ye old European origin. These are the deep, jewel tones like burgundy, navy, and forest green. These luxurious tones seem to evoke opulence and comfort.
Imagine a great room painted pebble gray, navy curtains adorn large windows and the focus of the room would be a burgundy velvet Chesterfield sofa, bathed in the warm glow of gold-toned lighting.
An emerald, green throw pillow fringed in gold rested on either end like residents enjoying an evening cocktail. Behind the sofa, a blue and white chinoiserie porcelain vase and a Chinese Tang standing warhorse add depth and intrigue.
Across from the sofa, two cream-colored tufted wingback chairs accent the regal Chesterfield perfectly. Lighter neutrals like creamy beige and ivory can play a role in balancing the boldness of deeper hues and offering a canvas for intricate patterns.
3. Classic Furniture: Heirlooms of Style and Comfort
Traditional furniture is an investment in quality and timeless design. Traditional refers to the style while heirloom refers to the quality. Heirloom furniture is manufactured in such a way that it will last for many generations in structure, form, and fashion.
Take, for example, the iconic wingback chair. Introduced in the 1600’s, its silhouette is instantly recognizable with its high back and enveloping wings. Its plush upholstery, often in velvet or leather, beckons for cozy evenings spent curled up with a good book.
Age and wisdom surround the timeless appeal of a roll-top desk. Its polished wood whispers stories of generations past hovering over a worn desktop recording life’s most important moments. A single statement piece, such as a postilion bed draped in flowing white linen, or a scratched armoire can imbue your bedroom with an undeniably romantic charm.
4. Luxurious Fabrics: A Tactile Treat
We’re so fortunate to live in the times we do. Our choices of patterns and fabrics, textures and weaves are so numerous, we could never see them all, much less choose easily.
The touch of a traditional home should be as sumptuous as its visual appeal. Fabrics are the unsung heroes. They add texture through design and weave. Depth, and personality through shape and size.
Velvet, with its soft drape and sheen, adds instant glamour to upholstery, drapery, and throw pillows. Embellished with beads, cords, fringe, or crystals adds mesmerizing interest to the intrigue.
Damask boasts intricate woven patterns that appear on both sides of the fabric equally. This rich fabric bestows formality to curtains and chairs. It is classified as a Jacquard fabric.
Brocade is a heavy-weight, decorative fabric with a raised pattern woven into the fabric rather than being embroidered onto the weave. It is a design reminiscent of royalty and brings a touch of opulence to decorative accents like cushions and ottomans. It too, is in the Jacquard class of fabrics.
Silk, the epitome of luxury, elevates pillows, lampshades, and even throws to an almost untouchable level of exquisite elegance.
Wool, a classic choice for rugs, upholstery, and throws, adds warmth and texture underfoot and to the touch. The most durable of fabrics it is preferred for making rugs, bags, blankets, coats, and other accessories.
Cotton is less expensive and rougher than those listed previously. It is not as durable but comes in a wide variety of colors and prints. Often it is blended with nylon to make it softer, stronger, and longer lasting.
5. Antiques & Heirlooms: Weaving History into Your Home
Traditional decor isn’t just about replicating trends; it’s about imbuing your space with a sense of personal history. That’s where antiques and heirlooms come in. These priceless treasures whisper stories and connect you to your past. They bravely mix and match eras;
- A weathered grandfather clock ticking away in the corner or hall steadfastly absorbing a wealth of history never to speak, only to absorb the passing time.
- Hand-stitched tapestry passed down through generations of loving hands.
- Vintage porcelain tea set displayed in a glass cabinet.
- An antique chest of drawers juxtaposed with a modern lamp creates an intriguing time warp of conversation.
The threads of your personal narrative woven into the fabric of your home convey to your guests that you are opening more than just your door to welcome them. You’re opening your heart and soul.
6. Layered Accessories: Finishing Your Personal Touch
The final layer of traditional elegance comes in the form of meticulously curated accessories.
- Decorative accent pillows in luxurious fabrics to add pops of color and texture.
- Framed artwork, depicting landscapes, portraits, or black-and-white vacation snaps.
- A collection of antique Thai opium water pots displayed on a shelf for a touch of whimsical mystery.
- Fresh flowers for their vibrant colors and sweet fragrance
Less is often more in traditional decor; curate your accessories with an editor’s eye, ensuring each piece adds to the overall narrative and avoids visual clutter. Collections should not overrun a showcase, tabletop or shelf. Pictures in frames should be updated regularly and older snaps tucked safely away in photo albums for protection. Memorabilia, souvenirs, and trophies deserve to be housed appropriately in scrapbooks, keepsake cases or display shelves. Pack away or discard once they are irrelevant and cater to more current accomplishments.
Holding To Principals
These six key elements – formal balance, rich color palettes, classic furniture, luxurious fabrics, treasured heirlooms, and layered accessories – will transform your home into a haven of timeless elegance. Mixing old and new incorporates a bygone era with the current time, thus creating a space that reflects your unique perspective and resonates with your own story.
The point is to stay true to the core principles of balance, quality, and personal expression. Don’t be afraid to create and don’t be afraid to change what you don’t like. Decorating is forever a work in progress. Most of all, keep learning and enjoy the journey!
