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[Oznell]

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".

1)

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.

2a  

2b

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.

3

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:

4

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.   

[Desertdi]

Blue Overkill...

[We rescue cats]

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.

[happilyretiredgirl]

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.

[DREAMON]

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.

[faeriemoon]

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 !

[haddon9]

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.

[Mz iMac]

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

[Marsha2003]

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.

[SactoSue]

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.