If you’ve been following design styles and trends, you may have noticed that traditional decorating has been evolving. It’s still traditional, of course, but with some interesting twists and turns.
To differentiate it from the past, many are calling the style New Traditional. (Logical choice.)
New Traditional Decorating
Traditional furniture is still beautiful and classic, but it’s being made with simpler forms, lighter finishes, and a combination of unique materials that add a modern feel.
Color schemes have become softer and less saturated, and spaces are cleaner and simpler with fewer, larger accessories rather than a multitude of smaller items.
Here are two great examples of how to bring this style into your space.
dining room
If you currently have dark walls that you don’t want to paint, this room shows a way to still get the look. Balance the room with breezy white sheers, a lighter rug, and light fabrics and finishes.
Mix, but don’t completely match furniture for a more relaxed, eclectic look. In this case, the manufacturer did it for us.
Modern pendant lights add another interesting design element.
living room
In this room, we used a lighter palette, interesting contrast, a mix of textures and materials, and beautiful, classic furniture with an updated look.
chesterfield sofa | leather chair | cocktail table | end table | metal end table
We wanted to create a new traditional look that wasn’t overly masculine or feminine, so mixing softer, lighter pieces with darker, heavier elements gave us a more balanced look. We also added some current design trends – gold, concrete and pastels – in ways that give the room a look that says current without being trendy.
And function. Pretty rooms are great, but you also want to be able to really use them. This room has fabrics and finishes that look great, but will still be functional enough for normal use.
Which room is your favorite?
If you’ve shunned traditional design in the past, will this new traditional look cause you to take a second look?
Great Living Room pieces! Everything plays so well together. I think this look is really appealing to people who want to achieve a minimalist decor but with some class and sophistication. The tight back button sofa and New York city landscape canvas painting really set the tone here. Best part is that you never left the neutral color pallet yet it all layers so nicely, allowing the textures to really pull through and give this room life. Love your work P.K.!
Thank you Bryan! You always give such great feedback!
Not sure even the “New Traditional” design could sway me to a traditional direction, but I could definitely incorporate some of these elements into my more modern home. I love the vintage feel of the cityscape art and the succulent bowl on the concrete coffee table. It’s always interesting how a person can take the same pieces and spin them in a completely different design direction. The mix of these elements do make this traditional design feel fresh and new. Well done!
I agree Natalie – love seeing different pieces take on a whole new personality depending on the space they’re in. (and thanks for the compliment :-)!)