INCORPORATING TRADITIONAL DECOR INTO YOUR HOME

In one of my very first Pep Talks, I discussed mixing design styles. With so much more inspiration coming at us daily (hello Instagram feed!), it is only natural that we find ourselves attracted to varying styles. Seeing how other people style their homes encourages us to step out of our comfort zone and incorporate items we love rather than just trying to match decor. For me, I’ve always incorporated elements of traditional decor in my installs…and in my own personal home! Here are a few reasons why and a couple of tips on how to try it yourself!

It's special. Design is a reflection of you and how you live, therefore incorporating items you love or that have special meaning to you is important in bringing a space to life. Oftentimes these items are handed down from generation to generation. When a space already incorporates traditional decor, finding just the right spot for that treasured heirloom is easy.

This is my own personal kitchen. From the print on the wall to keepsake vases and cake platter, I’ve collected traditional pieces over the years and found a special place in my own home for them. Each of them are meaningful to me and make me smile each time I pass them.

It's not all or nothing anymore. Gone are the days where dining room chairs and a table must be bought in a set. Or coffee tables must match side and sofa tables. No longer does the whole room, or even the whole house, have to match! You can "dip your foot" into traditional decor...and it can be fun! This photo here is a great example of how traditional decor matches bright colors. The table pairs well with the custom upholstered striped chairs.

Another easy place to to apply the “it’s not all or nothing” rule is with mixing metals. I personally love to mix antique brass with black/wrought iron for a more traditional feel. Polished chrome is another favorite metal that can lean traditional, whereas brushed nickel doesn’t have that same characteristic. Try swapping out door hardware for a quick update to your space!

It adds layers. If you've been following my blog, you may remember one of our very first posts where we discussed texture. I mentioned how I love texture because it adds layers to a room. The same goes for incorporating various styles into your home, such as traditional. Remember those matching coffee tables I just mentioned? Sometimes they can leave a room feeling flat, or very "one note." In this picture we used a very traditional coffee table matched with a more modern glam side table.

This picture is also a great example of layering patterns. The butterfly pattern wallpaper makes a statement and mixing it with the dot throw pillow adds a modern touch.

Pillows are one place where I usually incorporate a trend. They are easy to swap out when you tire of the trend or want to change the feel of the room!

Bonus! Shopping traditional decor can save money. With Facebook Marketplace, local flea markets, and more, finding traditional decor that you like is easier than ever, and can save money. If there is a brand of furniture you like, try searching Marketplace for that brand. You may just be surprised as to what you can find locally.

STYLING YOUR LIVING ROOM: BTS OF OUR MODERN TRADITIONAL PROJECT

We recently revealed our Modern Traditional project on the PepTalk and on our IG.  This project was an absolute dream to work on.  We got to play with tons of color, pattern and texture, but needed to keep the overall style modern and somewhat traditional.  One of the most frequently made comments we hear from friends and future clients is, “I don’t even know where to start!”  Styling an entire room within your space can feel a bit daunting, especially if you have various design elements that you want to incorporate (ie: various colors, patterns, textures, etc).

Today, we are taking you behind the scenes of our Modern Traditional project and giving you a few design tips on how to style your living space and where to start.

RUGS

There are SO many ways to design a room, but here at PD we like to start everything off with the rug.  Depending on the size, color and pattern, this will really dictate the rest of the room.  As you will see in the photo above, we decided to go very colorful with the rug and then take it down a bit when we selected the furniture and pillows.  

If a lot of pattern and color is too much for you when it comes to a rug, no problem!  Start with a solid color or more neutral rug and then incorporate some pattern and color when selecting pillows and throws.

LIGHTING

Next up is lighting.  Lighting is EVERYTHING!   Not only does it need to be functional within the space, but it is a great way to make a bold statement.  When we found these lamps (top left) we knew they were absolutely perfect for the space.  They were just the right amount of eclectic with an unexpected modern twist.

ARTWORK

Artwork can be another tricky factor when it comes to designing your space.  We believe it all comes down to 2 factors - it is either really personal and means a lot to you or it’s not and you just want it to look cohesive within your space.  Once you have answered this question, the next step is to measure the size of your space and go from there.  It is also important to make sure that when selecting artwork, the piece fits within the overall style of the room and it’s colors complement the space rather than compete with the space.

ACCESSORIES

For this project, our client wanted us to incorporate some decorative pieces that they already had.  Luckily for us, our client had some amazing family heirlooms that had been passed down and worked great with the style of the space.  Our biggest piece of advice when incorporating current pieces you have with new pieces is to really take inventory of what you have and make sure it can fit within the overall style and direction you have chosen to go.  Don’t try to force something into your design if it is dated or too out of place.  Sometimes what you have is NOT what you need.

Lastly, don’t be afraid of mixing and matching items.  There are so many different kinds of styling accessories so play around and have fun with it!  If you have any design questions or are looking for more help with your space, please feel free to reach out to us at hello@peppearddesign.com