Traditional home decorating is opulent and luxurious

Read about the furniture and details that make up traditional style to see if it is right for you

Traditional home decorating is elegant and refined. Many decorating styles are actually under the definition of traditional style. Actually a broad range of styles appeared during this time period. If you are deciding to go with the traditional home decorating scheme, there are different time periods and locations you may want to consider. Are you interested in 18th or early 19th century? What country are you looking at? France, England, Italy all had their own decorating styles in that time period. For our definition on this page, we will consider the Fine Traditional furnishings that hailed from England in the 18th century.

A Formal Home is Most Appropriate for This Style

For carrying off a Fine Traditional home decorating scheme, a large formal home is the best background. Intricate moldings, fireplaces, French doors, finely proportioned rooms, chair rails. wood floors, a formal dining room, built in bookcases; these are the hallmarks of traditional home decorating.

Architectural details can make a big difference

As mentioned above moldings, chair rails, ceiling medallions can all add to your traditional decorating style. If you don't have this type of detail in your home, it is possible to add it at a reasonable price. Click on this link Wish I Had That and be brought to a comprehensive collection of traditional details you can install yourself.

Furniture Styles used in Traditional Home Decorating

Furniture styles ranged from Empire, Renaissance, Louis the IV through Louis the VI. Others break the time period down into other sub-styles like Queen Anne, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton which comprised the Federal period in America. As you can see this type of decorating covers quite a period in history.

Federal style, sometimes known as "Colonial style decorating"is covered on another page in this site.

Traditional styled rooms feature warm, dark, rich finish woods, often with intricate carvings. The lines of the furniture tend toward elegance and sensuous curves. The traditional style furniture has ornate carvings which give a very majestic feel. The decorating style tends toward a busy floor layout.

Colors Used in Traditional Decorating

Favored colors in traditional decorating lean toward the jewel tones. Topaz and Golds, Deep Reds and Rose Quartz, Marine Blues, Vibrant Greens, along with Grays, Beiges, and Whites form the color scheme for the traditional home decorating palette.

Preferred Fabrics for Traditional Decorating

Patterns used are florals, stripes, and Jacobean crewel work.

Draperies are full and heavy and held back with ornate tassels. Footstools covered with needlepoint and fringe are the norm as are embroidered cushions which are scattered throughout the room. Table are often skirted.

Furniture is upholstered in heavy luxurious fabrics. Button tufting, fringe, braid, and other trims create details on the upholstered pieces.

Accessories Used in Traditional Style Decorating

Lighting could include crystal chandeliers and brass light fixtures. Walls are hung with gilt mirrors, formal pictures of horses and landscapes with elaborate frames, and pictures of your ancestors (or someone else's if you don't have any of your family). Chinese screens provide decorative accents.

Floors are covered with Aubusson carpets and Oriental rugs. Cabinets are filled with Dresden and Wedgewood china. The dining table is set with leaded crystal and heavy ornate silver.

For Traditional Home Decorating Think Opulence and Elegance