The traditional style stands out as an essential pillar of interior decoration, captivating with its elegance and timeless character. Rooted in history, it embodies sophistication and comfort, bringing warmth and richness to each space it adorns. The traditional style, with its refined lines, classic patterns, and meticulous attention to detail, invites a journey through time, where each piece tells a story of taste and heritage.
What is traditional style?
Traditional style, a concept as rich in history as it is elegance, has its roots in 18th and 19th century European designs. Inspired by classical periods, including Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical, this style has spanned the centuries, adapting and evolving while retaining its essence of sophistication and refinement. It is a style that celebrates harmony, balance and order, incorporating elaborate decorative elements and formal structures.
The main characteristics of traditional style are its meticulous attention to detail, its predilection for classic patterns and the importance given to a warm and welcoming ambiance. Furniture is often made from rich wood, adorned with delicate carvings and finished with marquetry details, reflecting exceptional craftsmanship. Fabrics also play a crucial role, with a predilection for floral patterns, stripes, and damasks, often in luxurious materials like velvet, silk, and brocade.
Discover our wooden medallion chairs
The layout in the traditional style demonstrates rigorous symmetry, where each element is carefully placed to create a sense of order and continuity. Colors tend toward subtle, warm palettes, evoking a feeling of comfort and familiarity. Accessories, such as crystal lamps, ornate mirrors, and classic artwork, add an extra layer of decoration, demonstrating a taste for understated luxury and timeless elegance.
Traditional style, with its sophisticated look and inviting ambiance, represents more than just aesthetics; it symbolizes a way of life, an appreciation for historic beauty and a yearning for deep domestic comfort. By seamlessly blending past and present, traditional style continues to enchant and inspire, providing a refuge of calm and beauty in the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
The materials used
At the heart of traditional style is a selection of materials that are as much a celebration of nature as they are of craftsmanship. The choice of these materials is not trivial; each brings a dimension of luxury, comfort and durability, essential to creating an atmosphere that is both rich and welcoming. Among them, solid wood, leather, velvet, and rich fabrics stand out as the pillars of this timeless style.
Magnificent Cagliari console in gilded wood
Solid wood plays a dominant role in traditional furniture. Used for its robustness and natural beauty, it comes in various species – oak, mahogany, cherry, and walnut – each chosen for its particular color and unique grain. The careful finishes and detailed carving techniques highlight the texture of the wood, giving the pieces a feeling of warmth and authenticity.
Leather , a noble material par excellence, is often used in traditional style for its luxurious appearance and pleasant feel. Whether it covers armchairs, sofas or desks, aged leather adds a touch of timeless elegance and demonstrates a patina that improves with time, symbolizing durability and comfort.
Velvet , with its soft texture and visually rich appearance, brings unparalleled depth and opulence to traditional interiors. Used for curtains, cushions, or furnishings, velvet offers a vibrant color palette that can transform a space into a haven of luxury and comfort.
Rich fabrics , such as silk, damask, and brocade, are chosen for their elaborate patterns and fineness. These textiles often adorn windows, seats, and decorative accessories, incorporating floral, geometric, or pictorial motifs that enrich the space with harmonious textures and colors.
Iconic furniture of traditional style
Tufted sofas : Tufted sofas are centerpieces in a traditional living room. Their luxurious design, with pressed buttons forming geometric or floral patterns on the fabric, invites you to relax. Distressed leather or velvet are popular choices, offering comfort and elegance.
Carved Wood Cabinets: Carved solid wood cabinets and bookcases demonstrate the craftsmanship and attention to detail typical of traditional style. These pieces aren't just functional; they are considered true works of art, with complex ornaments and careful finishes.
Mahogany tables: Mahogany tables, whether dining tables, console tables, or coffee tables, are prized for their rich, deep wood. Their glossy surface and robust structure make them central elements in the decoration of a traditional space.
Additional decorations
Crystal Lamps: Crystal lamps, whether in the form of chandeliers, table lamps, or floor lamps, add a touch of light and sparkle. Their sophisticated shine brightens rooms while serving as a decorative focal point.
Persian Rugs: No traditional interior is complete without an authentic Persian rug. With their intricate patterns and rich color palette, these rugs add a layer of texture and history, anchoring furniture and unifying the space.
Classic works of art: Classic paintings and prints, depicting pastoral scenes, portraits, or historical landscapes, elegantly framed, enrich the walls with a cultural and aesthetic dimension. They reflect refined tastes and the continuity of traditional style through time.
Tips for a smooth integration
Playing with contrasts: One of the keys to successfully combining traditional and modern is to play with contrasts while maintaining balance. Pair traditional furniture, such as tufted sofas or carved wooden cabinets, with modern elements with clean, minimalist lines. This approach creates an interesting visual tension that revitalizes the space.
Unite through color: Use a consistent color palette to unify traditional and modern elements. Contemporary colors, like soft grays, deep blues or serene greens, can refresh traditional rooms and ground them in the present. Textiles, such as cushions, rugs, or curtains, are excellent vehicles for introducing these modern nuances.
Mix textures: Combine the rich, luxurious textures typical of traditional style, such as velvet or leather, with modern materials such as metal, glass, or polished concrete. This diversity of textures adds depth and interest to the space, enriching the sensory experience.
The Tendances Meubles team.