What is Traditional Design Style?
Welcome to A&R Interiors, a family-owned and operated design firm in Denville, New Jersey. We are one of New Jersey’s premier design firms, and are a unique resource for residential, commercial, and design trade clients. Today’s blog is about the Traditional design style.
Traditional design is a timeless design style, rooted in classic furniture designs and features, with elegance and sophistication, dashes of pattern and color, and well-established design elements. Traditional style is comfortable and familiar, classic and timeless. Symmetry, such as matching chairs or bookcases, enhances that secure feeling.
Traditional interiors include essential elements such as board and batten, shiplap, picture frame and crown moldings, carved fireplace mantels, ceiling treatments, and millwork. Most people do not fall fully into one style or another, and many homes combine more than one style. Our home design consultants can assist with determining your style based on our understanding of your likes and dislikes, melding more than one style, and creating unique, functional designs for your home.
To avoid the appearance of stuffiness with the traditional style, monochromatic color schemes and neutral color palettes help soften traditional elements, brighten the space, and make it more contemporary and fresh. Our interior designers can help with complete home makeovers, as well as kitchen and bathroom interior design, home décor selection, window treatments, furniture, and accessories.
Traditional furniture pieces include classic and iconic pieces, such as Windsor and wingback chairs, made primarily of wood, with design treatments such as claw, ball, or bun feet for bookcases and hutches, curved or turned legs on chairs and tables, and rolled arm sofas. Upholstery patterns can add your particular style, charm, and character to traditional pieces.
Traditional design typically incorporates hardwoods in furniture and flooring., as well as several different patterns and prints to create a detailed, intricate, and dramatic feel. Traditional patterns might include stripes, plaids, damask, and floral motifs. Wallpaper can feature traditional patterns and prints and can be a wonderful choice for interior walls. White marble was traditionally popular for busts and statues, fireplace mantles, tabletops, and inlaid furniture.
Touches of luxury, ornate and decorative items, curated objects displayed, crystal chandeliers, porcelain vases, and Persian rugs are typical of traditional design. At A&R Interiors, our showroom highlights design trends with stylized room vignettes showcasing design styles, exotic furniture, and distinctive accessories from around the world.
While traditional design may sometimes be associated with outdated, formal, and stuffy; the right balance can be achieved with more contemporary touches, including neutral fabrics and color palettes, and more modern silhouettes to lighten the look. You’ll want to avoid too many matching furniture pieces with this style. Instead, adding linear, modern and lighter pieces can help to keep traditional styles from feeling too heavy or dated.
When working with a designer, it is helpful to bring pictures of things you do and do not like, so that our talented design staff can help you make your home visually stunning, comfortable, and livable, reflecting your individual style. Our boutique showroom and portfolio of limitless resources include furniture, floor, and wall coverings, window treatments, accessories, and more! Schedule a consultation today.