If you know something about interior design, you might have already heard about traditional interior design. After all, it is gaining increasing attention.

M + M stands for Martin and Meardon.  Leslie Martin and Kim Meardon are sisters who are passionate about creating homes rooted in traditional design yet feel current and approachable.  With nine children between the two of them they are always keeping in mind that a home can look incredible and still remain functional. 

Traditional interior design ideas

What is a traditional interior design?

Traditional interior design’s inspiration takes from 18th and 19th-century European decor, particularly the French and English traditions. Despite what the name might suggest, there’s nothing predictable about this style. The incorporation of classic art, antiques, and history makes it a timeless and original choice for giving some character to your interiors. With its open spaces and characteristic kitchen islands, this style is going through a well-deserved massive revival.

Selecting the Best Kitchen Island Lighting: 10 Things You Should Consider

The style is not overly fancy, but current designers often incorporate bold color and contemporary pieces to create attractive hybrids.

What are the elements of traditional interior design?

This style strives for harmony and order, intending to create a calm space with symmetry and consistency between the pieces. The traditional decor relies heavily on dark and warm tones, usually on the neutral side, which help confer the characteristic sense of peace. The style also incorporates textiles such as heavy cotton, wool, silk, and damask in neutral colors.

Elements of traditional interior design style include the addition of fine ornament details, rooms aimed to be comfortable and familiar, and the pairing of furniture objects to increase the sense of harmony. Rooms often have a focal point, usually a fireplace or a large oil painting. Additionally, the use of accessories such as chandeliers, candle holders, and materials like gold, silver, and china contributes to adding opulence without looking too “rich.”

Designers sticking to the traditional style might add wallpapers in subtle patterns and floral or damask motifs.

What is the difference between classic and traditional design?

Classic design tends to be more formal than traditional styles. Both decors try to incorporate antiquities but do so differently. While traditional interior design includes pieces inspired by the craftmanship tradition and minimal style, the classic design incorporates carved details and fancy patterns. Both decors rely on dark and warm tones. However, the traditional style is more open to blending with modern and contemporary design. On the other hand, the classic style, focusing on the value and wealth of material, is not as easy to hybridize with contemporary pieces.

What is modern traditional interior design style?

Modern traditional interior design is a blend of rustic, traditional decor, and modern design. Some of the main characteristics of this style include humble finishings, warm and spacious rooms, and refined attention to detail. It is currently one of the most popular home decor styles, and there are reasons for it. This style is more casual and familiar than the “classic” traditional one. Some of the main elements include a long wooden table for gathering in the kitchen, simple and neutral bare walls, “white on white” decorations, spacious glass doors, and impressive lighting. Who wouldn’t fall in love with it?

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Elegant and Sophisticated Interiors With History designed by Californian Interior Designer Maria Haidamus.

“HEALDSBURG, California – In the heart of Sonoma Valley, the elegant and sophisticated Jordan Vineyard & Winery received a jaw-dropping renovation that breathes new life into the historic site while retaining all the charm that makes it so unique.”

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Maison de Lee by Jenny Martin. Located in Victoria’s quaint South Oak Bay neighbourhood, this beautiful custom home effortlessly transports you to the French Countryside. Home to a growing family of 4, it was designed to pay tribute to classical French architecture, blending traditional style with modern luxury. Working closely with renown builder, M. Knight Construction, and award-winning home designer, Zebra Group, this fairytale vision came to life.

Aiming to incorporate traditional elements with an aged vintage quality, this project integrates detailed mouldings, rustic white-oak beams and soft arches, pairing them with unlacquered brass and natural marble specifically selected to age gracefully over time. The aesthetic was elevated with a restrained palette of natural tones.

For a family with a passion for the French culinary experience, a thoughtfully structured kitchen was integral to the design. The custom LaCanche Range was instrumental in creating a focal point, while side-by-side gas ovens were used to heighten functionality. Beautifully integrating honed marble countertops, a feature hood fan and open stacked shelving, Maison de Lee skillfully captures the authenticity of a traditional French bistro. 

Recently awarded 7 care awards, including the coveted title of Project of the Year, project Maison de Lee resulted in a stunning marriage of styles, creating a traditional home that sets the stage for stories to be written within its walls.

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Like fashion, decor has cycles of what’s popular. But we always seem to come back to traditional home decor. There seems to be a deep yearning for it in our souls. But why is this? Well, on a surface level it’s comforting. it has an almost intrinsic beauty, and traditional decor is timeless, you aren’t taking any risks.

Nostalgia

One theory is it’s simply nostalgia. Life in the 21st century is so fast; it’s streamlined for efficiency, not beauty. Years of contemporary decor have worn us out. So people have a vague nostalgia about ‘the past’, which manifests itself in a yearning for traditional decor. This certainly may play a role, but it’s not the whole story.

Too Much Choice

Another theory is there are too many styles to choose from. Too much choice is overwhelming. So instead of wading through all the new styles, people will just stick to what they know, which is often traditional interior designs. This happened before the 1980s traditional revival which was in part a backlash to the crazy innovations in decor in the 1960s and 1970s. And there are parallels to this today.

Tried and Tested

In contrast to endless innovation that produces more eyesores than masterpieces, traditional decor is tried and tested. There is a reason traditional decor lasts. Style and beauty endure while the experiments are left behind. And in a world of ever-changing styles, you don’t want to decorate your home with something that will look dated in a few years; traditional decor remedies this worry.

Popular on Social Media

The popularity of traditional decor on social media (sites like Instagram and Pinterest) has also increased the interest in traditional decor. And when it comes to things like design preferences, people are quite impressionable. So the popularity of period dramas may also be a contributing factor. The internet also shows people that you don’t have to be a millionaire to have a traditional home interior, which may also be a contributing factor to its popularity.

Expanded definition

Traditional home interiors may also be popular as more styles now fit under the ‘traditional decor’ banner. When more styles are considered traditional, the general public is more likely to find things they like within the category, so the category becomes more popular. And it’s more acceptable to mix old with new, so this also contributes to traditional decor’s popularity.

Images: Douglas VanderHorn Architects

Douglas VanderHorn Architects comprises highly dedicated associates with specialties ranging from Classical architecture and historic preservation.

While the firm has been involved with over 250 successful projects in various parts of the country, Douglas VanderHorn Architects continues to focus on opportunities to craft beautiful traditional residences in Connecticut and New York.

Conclusion

The reason we yearn for traditional decor is likely a combination of nostalgia and popularity, and that it’s tried and tested, and there’s too much choice now. But one thing we do know is beauty endures. So it’s unlikely traditional decor is going to go away. And if it does, it won’t be for long!

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This project by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design was a complete remodel of a beautiful, but sadly run-down country house on a 250 acre estate. The property, which cascades down from the house, first to a beautiful pool and then to a river and forest, reputedly has the best salmon fishing in the state. 

“In the course of our design work, we completely re-worked the floor plan, converting space that opened out onto the pool, but had originally been a five-car garage, to a welcoming family room and library. We also added a garden kitchen at this lower level. On the upper floor, we significantly remodeled all the rooms and opened the living room to an adjacent study to create a generous great room with a two-sided fireplace and a welcoming seating nook.  

Our aesthetic goal for the project was to assemble a warm, casual, family-friendly palette of materials; linen, leather, natural wood and stone, cozy rugs, and vintage textiles. The dark beams and windows create a strong graphic element which is balanced and echoed by these more delicate textile patterns. “

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The signature of Mallory Mathison Inc. is gracious and inviting interiors that seamlessly blend the richness of the past, with endless design possibilities of today. A natural vision for classical design, vast knowledge of the field, attention to detail and a commitment to excellence are evident throughout her impressive portfolio.

Check more: Beautiful and Inviting Homes

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The interior design book The Beauty of Home combines refined elegance and innovative simplicity for a fresh, new perspective on traditional interior design.

Magic doesn’t necessarily follow a formula, but perhaps it does have a framework. Marie Flanigan’s interiors are timeless and soulful―immediately recognizable, yet also reflective of her clients’ individual stories. Dive deeper into the nine elements that define her work, including archi­tecture, illumination, composition, and surprise. Peek behind the curtain as Marie reveals her creative process and the essential elements for curating her signature blend of approachable elegance. Uniting poetry with purpose, this book uncovers the true beauty of home.

Marie Flanigan is an award-winning interior designer whose achievements have positioned her as a household name. Originally trained as an architect, Marie seamlessly unites structure with style, unlocking a unique level of depth through her mutual consideration of an interior and its setting. For more than a decade, Marie has crafted well-articulated spaces that expertly reflect the stories of those who dwell within. Marie’s projects elevate the everyday, soulfully revealing the true beauty of home.

Buy the book on Amazon.

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The top priority of SuzAnn Kletzien Design is to ensure that clients’ expectations are exceeded. SuzAnn works with each client to build a custom design plan tailored to their individual needs. Whether the project is remodeling an office, designing a kitchen, or managing an entire home design, SuzAnn Kletzien Design provides a flexible approach that allows as much or as little involvement as desired.

SuzAnn Kletzien Design provides everything from meticulous fabric selections, integration of fascinating and unexpected elements.

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Susan Bohlert Smith and her studio’s obsession with beautiful things is inspired by classic Italian architecture, black and white Hollywood glamour of the past, retro island life and nature’s juxtapositions. Smith and company organically blend period antiques with contemporary and vintage pieces in their seamlessly orchestrated spaces. Her signature talents, a keen color sense and a willingness to apply color boldly and uniquely in her design plans, personalize all of her projects. The firm’s style is about the unexpected: rustic ebony cabinets belie Chinese red lacquer interiors; black ceilings create infinite visual space; a turquoise door peaks curiosity.

Susan brings an instinctive sense to her design projects, and is precise in applying her personal stamp to them – yet her high art approach to interior design never overshadows the core purpose, which is to channel her client’s personal aesthetic. Bohlert Massey Interiors acts as the common thread that weaves client, contractor, and architect. From custom cabinetry design, to unique furnishings, Smith and team create one of a kind homes individualized for each client. She and her team provide comfortable, functional backdrops for their clients, while elevating the state of living well.

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Ben Pentreath is renowned for creating a distinctive and playful style – that draws inspiration in equal measure from the great English practitioners of the 1960s and 70s, and from historical interiors of every period, but all infused with a fresh modern sensibility. Ben combines a strong use of colour, pattern and classical detail with bold contemporary fabric and furniture: ensuring that the room is just right – both for the client, and for the building.

We were responsible for designing all the panelling, kitchen, pantries and other architectural joinery within the house, before moving on to the wider interior decoration. Jointly with the clients, we drew inspiration from the Arts and Crafts, in particular the papers of William Morris, but in combination with other themes and strands that ranged from the late 19th century aesthetic movement, through mid-century modernism, to significant contemporary elements. We designed or sourced all fabrics, upholstery and furniture.

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