Decorating in the Traditional Style
The traditional decorating style is as popular today as it’s ever been. Elegant and classy, traditional décor makes us think of some of the more upscale living of the early 1900’s. It should bring to mind quality furniture, exquisite craftsmanship, and a welcoming feel. Many people enjoy the timeless beauty of this style and find it fairly easy to incorporate it into their homes, no matter their budget. If you would like to adorn your home with the traditional touches of the last century, just use these suggestions to get your project off on the right foot.
1) When you begin to decorate, think about how it would have been done 100 years ago. People did not own very much, back then. They would collect just a few pieces of quality crafted furniture and pass it down to their children. They may have collected only one piece every few years. So, as styles changed, their furniture collections would become a little mixed matched. This kind of decorating may not have been intentional, but it’s what we grew up with. We like to see the old mixed with the new because it brings back memories of home. Luckily, this makes the traditional style of decorating fairly easy to imitate. You can add one or two pieces at a time to your home, without having to match every piece in the room. In fact, the less that the pieces match, as long as the styles are all within the same era, the more unique and welcoming the home will feel.
2) When looking for pieces for your home, remember that traditional is more modern than an “Old World” style. Avoid stuffy, straight-backed pieces and go for a more relaxed look. Traditional pieces were elegant, but they had a certain allure that made you feel cozy and at home. When you’re looking at a piece, ask yourself if you feel like you could use it casually, or if you would feel more like it would be a decorative piece.
3) Drapery and upholstery used in traditional style decorating should be sturdy and thick. Avoid the more modern microfibers and leathers. Florals and pastels were popular in the late 1900’s while bold colors, like gold and royal blue, were more popular in the early 1900’s. Draperies and furniture rarely matched during this period, but they did go together.
4) Bedding during this time period consisted of many pillows, quilts, afghans, and throws. Most bedding was handmade, so bring out your old quilts and blankets to decorate your bedroom in the traditional style. Armoires were really popular for storing linens and clothing. Closets were small or didn’t exist at all, so bedroom furniture was usually large and heavily used. People generally hung most of what they wore. They used hand-crafted wooden hangers to help their heavy coats, suits and dresses keep their shape. A cedar wooden hanger would have been a prized closet or armoire accessory.
You can incorporate a few antique pieces in with your more modern furniture. Try not to over-accessorize any room that you are decorating. Remember that there was not a lot of manufacturing during this time period, so most people only owned a few things. A tasteful piece of art or family photographs would be hung on the walls. Elaborate mirrors were popular, as were lamps, candy dishes, crystal, and clocks. When your home feels welcoming, charming, simple, and elegant, you’ll know that you’ve achieved the traditional look that you were hoping for.
About the Author: Amber Helsom is a representative of Wooden Hangers USA, a company specializing in offering the highest quality wooden hanger styles at prices that you can afford. Amber is passionate about home decorating, home organization, and finding stylish ways to incorporate practical luxuries into the home. Here at http://www.woodenhangersusa.com, we’re passionate about offering high-end wooden hangers that will last you a lifetime.
