topic Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE in Home

A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

Oznell — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:30:32 GMT

This screen grab below was taken from online furniture store, One Kings Lane. It's certainly traditional, with carved mantel, a few antiques, a planter with multiple orchids, patterned rug and pillows, and blue and white chinoiserie.

It's the type of room that some consider "cluttered".

Some people are very happy with this much layering, and it is pretty. But, for my taste, I'd still remove some of the blue and white for a more "open" feeling. Like, leave maybe only one, in the hearth, instead of a cluster.

Visually, that would be more relaxing for me.

At the other end of the traditional spectrum, here's another somewhat formal room below that Garrett LeChic posted, in a really good video about making small decorating changes.

Despite a few too many pillows on the couch, ( the only thing that 'crowds up' the room), it could be considered "under-decorated"-- for a traditional room.

The height of the lamps in the room all pleasingly align, contributing to the calming feeling.

There's pattern only in the rug and easy chair. The side table has a single lamp centered on it, no other decor, the credenza ditto, even the coffee table decor and art is understated.

It's still a pleasant, traditional room, with the big windows on one side, balanced out by the classic antique secretary on the other.

IF you are traditional, do you lean more to a layered and collected look, as in #1, or a more pared-back look as in 2a and b? ( Again, disregard the cream pillows-- apart from them, #2 seems a good example of "leaner traditionalism" in my mind).

Designer Ashley Childers posted some images which seem the "in-between" or happy medium of the above two so-called extremes of 'over' and 'under' decorating.

This image of hers below has for me, just about the right amount of decor-- an interesting large painting, sleek sconces, symmetry with ladder back chairs, and not *too* much on the cupboard.

And in this kitchen she posted below, for a traditional kitchen, it seems to me to strike the right balance for amount of decoration. I might remove the second piece of art, leaning under the glass cupboard.

And here below, is the exception that proves the rule-- an image she posted which is a bit "over-filled" for her usual taste:

I think it's quite cozy, and I like it, but there's something .... it's the wall art! It's just a little too jarring, and perhaps "ditsy" for my visual comfort. I'd go for fewer but larger paintings, and at least one or two solid, not patterned pillows, and then the room would be A-OK for me.

I'd love it if you would pick out the room(s) that come closest to having just about the right amount of decor, for YOUR taste. Not the rooms whose style you like the best. Here you're judging strictly on how much decoration you can tolerate in a room.

There are no wrong answers, of course. We all have different 'visual tolerance' thresholds.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

Desertdi — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:25:53 GMT

Blue Overkill...

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

We rescue cats — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:59:24 GMT

I actually like photo 1, that would probably be the closest to my taste.

2A & 2B appear the same to me, and in either I would ditch at least 3 of the sofa pillows.

I too like 4, but would choose different wall art, smething less disruptive.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

happilyretiredgirl — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:33:27 GMT

I like the kitchen area especially the fire place, I would change the picture that's over the fireplace just does not fit the space to me, maybe something more rustic to match the vintage brick on the fireplace.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

DREAMON — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:59:10 GMT

I like the first room done in blues but would remove everything in front of the fireplace. I like a fireplace to look like a fireplace.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

faeriemoon — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:01:27 GMT

Although I don't care for the room color scheme, and I'm not a huge fan of the style, Room #1 best represents how much decor and layering of decor you would see at my house.

My preferred style among the choices here, would be 3A and 3B.

Very interesting thread @Oznell !

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

haddon9 — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:35:56 GMT

I like a lot of it but not all of it. I like the overall colors of the neutral rooms. As a matter of fact in the living room in 2A & 2B looks like my coffee table!

I like blue & white for some rooms. If I had a beach house I might use it. I did use it for my office which is just an extra bedroom upstairs and I find the color scheme relaxing.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

Mz iMac — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:39:09 GMT

Pic #1 Screams......"No children or pets allowed. Especially cats."

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

Marsha2003 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 02:06:39 GMT

Pictures 3, kitchen and 4 reflect the way I like a room to look. Picture 1 is too monochromatic and picture 2 looks like someone just moved in and hasn't finished unpacking yet.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

SactoSue — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 06:03:11 GMT

I love #1. It's more my decorating style. I'd want to do something more interesting with a few of the blue& white pieces in the fireplace. I also don't like using the ceramic or porcelain seats inside as a side table for the armchair. I'd use a small table in a medium-to-dark wood to bring a bit more warmth in the room. I would get rid of one of the 4 pillows on the sofa. Not crazy about the metal and glass coffee table, but it's not awful.

I'm uncomfortable in #2, it feels bare and unfinished to me. Also, too many pillows on th sofa - get rid of all but 2.

#3 is nice, but the size of the painting in the niche is making me crazy. I would rather have a piece that was taller and more effectively mimicked the outlines of the niche itself. I do like the colors and the style, it just annoys me that it isn't hung higher or has a larger size.

#4- I do not like the artwork on the wall in the next room. Nope, no.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:43:20 GMT

Traditional is a style that just doesn't appeal to me so none of these rooms are favorites. The first blue living room is OK but I'd have to remove a lot of the blue pottery pieces and make other changes.

The artwork above the fireplace in the kitchen bugs me to death. It's not to scale with the amount of wall space that is available. Not decorating to scale is one of my biggest pet peeves. My eye immediately goes there....but not in a good way.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

Imaoldhippie — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:11:17 GMT

I am a fan of several remodel shows on HGTV. What I am seeing lately is a mix of styles. The one I see the most is what they refer to as modern farm house with an industrial look. I do not care for using industrial style lighting. But the people who are having their home redone seem happy with it.

The ones that say they like and want traditional are also baffling to me. As it all looks modern to me.

It seems as though the designers are coming up with this mix to please couples that like totally different styles and are mixing them. Its probably driving the designers nuts.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

Sooner — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:23:05 GMT

I like all the above only yes, the first needs tone down the blue a little, I've never liked ladderback chairs (oh my back my back chairs!), and yes, the last is a little cluttered, get rid of a few things and the flowers!

I have a den with lots of soft white woodwork and bookshelves filled with books, traditional white fireplace surround, a very traditional pair of leather recliners, an oatmeal colored contemporary sectional, and carpet that matches.

There is a pale blue, peach and white oriental rug and oatmeal leather ottoman. Then a pale blue and cream traditional French style chair and footrest.

So I do mix and match what I love, what I've had for years, and what I buy new.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

jubilant — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:32:50 GMT

While I like some traditional, to me, that first picture doesn't have anything to "break up" the blue and white so I don't find it "cozy" at all. Like others, I like a mixture of 2 or 3 styles...maybe even 4! I tell people now that I buy what I like and brings back memories or has sentimental vibes for me. There is a knack, however to fitting it all together so it blends well. That's the hard part of making it work. I have a mix of country, farmhouse, traditional, and vintage. It seems to fit here in farmland USA! My vaulted pine ceiling also has something to do with my choices.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

stevieb — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:29:16 GMT

I agree with you @jubilant, my take on 'traditional' is a mixture of styles with a strong traditional vibe that incorporates different aspects of 'traditional'. I also like to blend colors and don't much care for a monochromatic look. I'm also not a huge proponent of blue as a primary choice for my rooms, though I do use it as accents sometimes.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

just bee — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:01:48 GMT

How many toss pillows does one need?

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

manny2 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:21:08 GMT

There is way too much blue. It is distracting. The eye gets stuck it can’t flow.

The last three photos have a good flow. They are pleasing to the eye.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 22:33:33 GMT

I really like the kitchen, just my style.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

DSD2 — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:42:20 GMT

I would choose #1 as I'd rather have too much color rather than too little.

There are too many chinoiserie and I would remove all of it from the room except the planter on the side table.

I love the pillows and the fireplace. The room is formal but has warmth and is inviting.

Thank you @Oznell for another wonderful post.

Re: A FEW WAYS OF LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL STYLE

KittySoftPaws — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:45:48 GMT

@Oznell I love the first pic, just looking at it is calming and peaceful.