The New Traditional

As the country veers in a more conservative direction in politics and culture, it should come as no surprise to see the same thing happening in decorative accessories. After all, the way we decorate our homes reflects the kind of people we are.

After a few seasons of shifting to more minimalist designs in home furnishings and accessories, there is now a noticeable return to more tried and true, or traditional, styles. Of course, “traditional” has always been “in style” in certain parts of the country, but what the market now reflects is a “new traditional” style — designs updated for the 21st century.

From rich fabrics to delicate feminine touches, home decor is dressing up. The trend was evident at all the spring and summer markets, where buyers were treated to a wide array of gifts and accents boasting subtle embellishments and regal tones: crystal chandeliers added sparkle; flower-filled vases made elegant statements; and mirrored and metallic accent pieces added glamour. Formal and casual elements were blended with ease, and traditional pieces were “made new” with unexpected color.

As consumers search for new ways to make their homes unique, a modern eclecticism has begun to take shape, combining decorative touches from around the world. Designers are taking it to the next level, using timeless design motifs from different eras combined with modern technology to create unique objects for the home. The result is modernized versions of favorite designs.

“Contemporary looks are minimalist and give a gallery feel to the home, as opposed to a homey feel,” says Paul Thompson, vice president of visual merchandising and trends at OneCoast, the national rep firm.

“[Today] we’re seeing more sophisticated traditional looks, but there is also a mixing of traditional shapes with modern fabrics and colors. The frame of an ottoman or chair might be traditional, but the seat will be covered with worn leather or a pony print.”

It’s not all about creating a new look — sometimes it’s just a matter of combining past styles to fit with today’s desires.

One style fusion that has been around for a while is the meeting of East and West. But it is being reinvented. Red Egg, an importer based in High Point, North Carolina, treats traditional Asian furniture, such as wedding chests, with modern pop colors. What might have blended into the background in the past, now makes a surprising statement — modern, yet traditional … or traditional, yet modern.

Even a company as traditional as French crystal manufacturer Baccarat incorporates modern car headlight technology in Plume, an impressive crystal chandelier that makes everyone look up.

And crystal chandeliers aren’t necessarily relegated to formal dining rooms. In the new traditional, they’re just as likely to be paired with something more casual, such as a rustic dining suite.

While consumers may assume that prices for more traditional styles may be higher than what they have been paying for contemporary designs at the likes of Crate & Barrel, IKEA, and Pottery Barn, it’s not necessarily so, according to Paul Thompson.

“We are seeing a lot of embellishments and appliques on furniture. Chandeliers are huge. All of these factors give these products a higher perceived value,” he says. “With these designs, shoppers can feel like they are living a luxurious life and feel comfortable in their living spaces. Sometimes things just have to look expensive.”

If that’s the case, the new traditional should be with us for some time to come.