Traditional style draws on European furniture of the 18th and 19th centuries. It's comfortable, orderly and made to last, and it mixes well with newer pieces. You'll see it most in bedrooms and dining rooms, where the wood and the carving show.
What to look for
Warm wood, often cherry, mahogany or oak. Curved lines, like rolled arms, shaped legs and arched headboards. Carved details: moldings, rosettes, turned finials. And fabrics with texture or pattern, like damask, florals and stripes. A bed with a carved, arched headboard, or a dining table on turned pedestals, can set the tone for the whole room.
Symmetry and order
Traditional rooms are often arranged in pairs: two chairs facing each other, matching lamps on either side of a sofa, nightstands on both sides of a bed. A clear center, like a fireplace, a large mirror or a dining table, gives the room its order.
Color
The colors are usually warm and deep, like cream, gold, burgundy, navy and forest green, balanced by lighter walls. The wood and the fabrics bring most of the color, so the walls can stay quiet.
Fabrics and finishes
Look for fabrics with depth, like velvet, chenille, or linen with a woven pattern. Wood finishes tend to be rich and polished, sometimes with a light glaze or a little distressing that brings out the carving. Brass or bronze hardware on dressers and nightstands finishes the look.
Starting a traditional room
Begin with one piece that has the style's lines, like a bed with an arched headboard or a table on pedestals, then add pieces with simpler shapes in the same wood or a quieter color. A rug with a border, framed art hung in pairs, and table lamps rather than ceiling lights help the room feel finished.
Keeping it light
A room full of dark wood can feel heavy. Mix in lighter fabrics, leave space between pieces, and choose a few pieces to stand out rather than matching everything. Transitional style is the middle ground: traditional shapes in simpler forms and lighter colors.
Mixing old and new
A traditional bed with a simple modern lamp, or a clean-lined sofa with a carved coffee table, keeps a room from feeling like a period set. Keep one thing the same, like the wood tone or the colors, and the rest can vary.
Come and see traditional and transitional pieces side by side in the gallery.
