Timeless interior design is an aesthetic that many desire for their home, and the good news is, it’s entirely possible to create in your own home with a few simple design principles!
As a luxury interior designer who specializes in creating spaces that transcend trends, I resonate deeply with the timeless allure of the classics: turning to history to elevate the everyday through millwork, classic palettes, and sophisticated touches. Perhaps most important: the use of antiques and vintage furnishings, artwork, and textiles.
I’ve spent the past 10 years honing my design aesthetic from trendy to timeless. Going from someone who was once inspired by the latest and greatest on social media to a designer who travels overseas to gather inspiration from hundred year old farmhouses and generational artisan makers. I want to help you understand the nuances of design to help you create a truly timeless space that you’ll love for years to come.
Designing a home is a very personal endeavor that involves an understanding of your personal style. Not only is decorating personal, it’s also an investment of time and money, and many people struggle finding cohesion in their spaces. As a luxury interior designer, I believe design doesn’t need to be difficult – anyone can design a beautiful home with a few key design principles, which I will teach you in this article.
If you, like me, find beauty in the essence of “Traditional” style, you likely find comfort in the embrace of classic beauty, rich textures, and a curated collection of vintage treasures passed down or found during your travels.
Read below to learn exactly how to create a traditional look in your home including exact paint palettes I recommend to our design clients!
After reading, you’ll understand the foundational elements of this aesthetic and how to decorate your home so that it feels uniquely “you” yet completely cohesive.
Bonus: I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite traditional pieces for you to shop to help make it easier for you to design your home in a cohesive way with confidence! Ready? Let’s go!
Defining Your Style: Traditional Elegance
How do you know if “traditional style” is your true style?
If you love traditional style, at your core, you appreciate the enduring charm of traditional elements in all that you do. You love classic brands that stand the test of time, and turn to your grandmother’s recipes and historical influence.
Where Ralph Lauren meets the Ritz Carlton: you love a perfect fusion of refined elegance and understated luxury.
Your home should reflect a passion for classic colors that evoke a sense of history and heritage, complemented by heirloom furniture and carefully selected vintage pieces acquired from estate sales, flea markets, and your travels.
If you’re still not sure, take our free quiz, and learn your true design style in under 2 minutes!
Seeking Inspiration: Classic Foundations
Inspiration gathering: what to search for on Pinterest or Google?
Use keywords like: “Ralph Lauren Interior Style”, “Traditional Aesthetic Interior Design”, “Timeless Interiors”, and “Southern Interiors”.
These keywords will guide you towards spaces that celebrate timeless design principles full of millwork and vintage furniture.
One of the most important elements of traditional style is filling your home with pieces that tell a story of enduring craftsmanship.
Design Tip: If you like a little bit of modern mixed into your aesthetic, try also searching “Transitional Interior Design” which is a blend of traditional and modern.
Often people love the juxtaposition of old with new, where a space bridges the gap between past and present.
Transitional design seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary elements to create harmony.
Need more inspiration? Discover how to create a cottage core aesthetic in your home!
Image via Pinterest
Crafting a Classic Palette
In a traditional interior, the palette serves as a canvas for showcasing the beauty of your curated collection.
Walls painted in rich, deep tones of navy, forest green, or burgundy which are all colors that exude warmth and sophistication as I talk about in How to Select The Perfect Paint Palette.
These saturated paint colors create a contrasting backdrop that allows vintage finds and heirloom furniture to shine, while also imparting a sense of coziness and elegance to each room. Wood tones and gilt pieces shine so beautifully against dark colors. It’s one of my favorite tricks to use in entryways, libraries, and dens as a designer.
Designer Tip: To add depth and character to your space, utilize a mix of vintage, found, and artisan/handmade pieces. Whether it’s a hand-carved side table or a bespoke area rug, these pieces inevitably infuse your home with a unique charm and a nod to craftsmanship. Plus, the energy that hand crafted pieces bring to a space creates a feeling of home.
What is your design style? Take our complimentary quiz to find your design aesthetic and the perfect accompanying white paint color in less than two minutes!
The Power of Paint: A Tailored Approach
When it comes to paint colors, the Traditional style thrives on a tailored approach.
Opt for a beautiful base white that leans warmer which evokes a sense of timelessness and refinement. A warm white enhances the classic aesthetic of a home and allows for versatility as your taste changes and collection of decor grows over time.
Image via Architectural Digest
Designing a Traditional interior is about honoring the past while creating a space that feels timeless and sophisticated. When it comes to paint colors, embrace classic colors, often called “heritage colors”.
Some of my favorite traditional paint colors are:
- Flint by Benjamin Moore
- Tanner’s Brown by Farrow & Ball
- Country Tweed by Sherwin Williams
- Old White by Farrow & Ball
To compliment the paint colors, I suggest rich textures and pattern from timeless textile brands such as Schumacher, Colefax & Fowler, and Chelsea Textiles. Anything with a little bit of British flair will do.
In traditional design, layering is key. Utilize each vintage piece and heirloom furniture item you collect as a piece of the overall puzzle to the design.
As you embark on your journey to curate a home that reflects your appreciation for traditional elegance, remember that paint colors play a pivotal role in setting the tone and ambiance of your living spaces. Let each brushstroke of color add depth to your narrative, transforming your house into a sanctuary of enduring beauty and refined taste.
Timeless Bedroom Inspiration
Studio Ham | The 15th C House in Paris (you can even stay there)! | Design by Colombe Studio Photograph by Kasia Gatkowska
Timeless Living Room Inspiration
The Chequers Inn, Churchill | Forbes Rix Natalie Dinham Photography Alex Wilson Photography | Phillip Lucas Collection | West Elm | Maverick Soul Interiors | Di Biase Filkoff Architects
Timeless Bathroom Inspiration
The Chloe | New Orleans, LA | Boutique Hotel | Schafer Buccellato Architects
Timeless Kitchen Inspiration
Emily Hart Photography | Designed by Di Biase Filkoff Architects | Photographs by Kyle Norton, courtesy of Plain English and Anat Soudry Architect
In fact, you can create a nice and unique interior design yourself, especially if you choose interior items in stores like gardner white , because they sell a large number of interesting design solutions that you will definitely like and you can create your own unique design from them.