Increasingly minimal interiors have been dominating decor trend reports for a while now, but as we all know, the pendulum always has to swing back the other way at some point. We started seeing a glimpse of this shift in aesthetics on NYFW’s F/W 17 runways and predicted interiors would follow suit. In the last month, this sentiment has only been confirmed with the proliferation of ultra-cool traditionalist interiors popping up everywhere.
Have we seen enough of monochrome interiors with minimal styling? Maybe not (we’re still all over the new modern trend), but there’s something to be said about a traditional interior executed in a fresh new way. Just like a good Chanel suit will always look flawless on Anna Wintour, some elements of traditional interiors always add flair to a room. Want to learn the best tricks for decorating a traditional home without making if feel stuffy? Get ahead of the curve and incorporate these timeless decor rules in your own space.
USE ONE DOMINANT COLOR
No matter how much of a minimalist you are, it’s hard not to fall in love with Marie Claire fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi’s trick. Her designer’s trick for a traditional interior that also feels fresh and modern: going bold with one color.
THROW IN MODERN LIGHTING
You may have an entirely formal and traditional dining room, but there’s one quick way to make it feel fresh again: Just add a minimal chandelier. This is a great way to refresh your space when you inherited a set of furniture that isn’t necessarily your style or to infuse personality into a space that feels too formal.
GO ENTIRELY NEUTRAL
If there was one house that had the power to turn anyone into a traditionalist, it would be Mark D. Sikes’s Los Angeles home. His trick for making a classic interior feels bright and fresh: to decorate entirely in shades of white and cream (with a few black accents). This unity in tone allows the shapes of the furniture to shine without looking overpowering.
LIGHT UP YOUR BOOKCASE
There are a few elements of traditional design that are timeless staples, and for good reason: They work every single time. Case in point: Picture lights above bookcases and artwork always add a sophisticated flair to a space, no matter how traditional or modern.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX AND MATCH
The quickest way to make your traditional room feel stale is to decorate with only one style. Instead, use your maximalist flair for mixing in elements from different parts of the world and different time periods. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your chairs to blend the lines between modern and traditional.
———
Get the latest on home decor trends, design ideas, shopping guides and food news, and take a look inside your favorite celebrity homes on DomaineHome.com.
About the Author
