Traditional home decor 101

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 12/04/2024

In interior design, traditional home decor is considered a timeless staple. By emulating traditions of the past without pinpointing any specific era, traditional decor creates warm and welcoming atmospheres in any room. If you're interested in trying traditional style in your home, here is a guide to the basics.

Characteristics of traditional interior design

To make the best use of traditional interior design at home, it's important to understand and recognize the key characteristics. Some specifics include:

Furniture, decor and art originating in 18th and 19th century European design
Comfortable, functional room layouts accommodating groups of people
Emphasis on symmetry, specifically in matching pairs of furnishings
Traditional interior architectural elements like wainscoting and crown molding
Neutral, comfy color palettes
Patterns are usually subtle

Tips for using traditional home decor

Now that you're more familiar with the basic elements of traditional design, you can begin experimenting with it in your own home. Here are some ways you can bring traditional style to any room:

When choosing colors, opt for earthy neutrals and subdued jewel tones.
Choose subtle patterns for upholstery, window treatments, wallpaper and other textiles. Some of these patterns include stripes, florals and plaids.
Try simple and classic light fixtures like sconces, chandeliers and pendants.
Incorporate darker wood tones such as walnut into furniture and flooring.
Avoid clutter, but add a healthy amount of traditional accessories including candelabras, ceramic vases, antique silver and china sets.
Add an overdyed Persian-inspired area rug for instant traditional charm.
Try matching sets of lamps, end tables or chairs. However, avoid matching too many elements in the same room to keep the design feeling natural.

Traditional home decor can be elegant and timeless without feeling overly formal. Try incorporating these elements into your current decor for a more natural style transition. Once you learn to recognize the characteristics, you'll find it simple to bring traditional design into any part of your home.

About the Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include:

ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009)
SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009)
SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder
Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.