How To Make Traditional Style Look Fresh: My Newest Project
Traditional style may bring to mind stuffy interiors and formal seating, but I’m here to tell you, traditional is much more varied. It’s a style that works in lots of spaces and, as shown in my new project, it’s also possible to make traditional style look fresh! Let’s take a look.
What is a “traditional” home? My take on traditional is a little more relaxed, easy and polished, as exemplified in this 1,758-square-foot home, part of the Tri Pointe Homes Luminary at Outlook community in Winchester, California. To make this traditional style look fresh, I brought in lots of botanical prints, brass accents, pops of red, blue, and green, and mixed in classic and contemporary elements for a design that is easy, but still elegant. And I’m sharing all the tips – and shoppable products – you need to translate this look in your very own home
Check out my other designs for Luminary at Outlook, Embracing Brown and Mediterranean Style.
Traditional Style Look Fresh
Keep Things Open & Airy
The kitchen in this home delivers a fresh take on traditional style by pairing classic shaker cabinetry and polished nickel hardware with clean-lined silhouettes and an airy, uncluttered palette. The white counters and island feel timeless, yet the streamlined brass pendants and modern chandelier introduce a contemporary edge that keeps the space from feeling overly formal. Grounded by rich, dark-stained wood floors and warmed up with woven barstools and organic greenery, the room strikes a balance between heritage detailing and relaxed, livable sophistication.
1. Rattan Back Linen Counter Stools | 2. Floral Ikat Pillow | 3. Ivory Boucle Throw Pillow | 4. Kayden Ceramic Table Lamp | 5. Raphael Wallpaper | 6. Tufted Shearling Brass Ottoman | 7. Blackthorn Ivory Flatwoven Rug | 8. Woven Shade Floor Lamp | 9. Tall Brass Vase | 10. Cumulus Landscape II Framed Print | 11. White Marble Ball Bookends
Traditional Style Look Fresh
Use Bold Botanicals
This bedroom reinvents traditional style by using a bold, oversized floral wallpaper as a dramatic focal point rather than a subtle backdrop. The saturated blues and layered botanicals feel classic in motif, yet the scale and high-contrast application give the space a modern, confident edge. Balanced with crisp white bedding and streamlined black accents, the room feels rooted in tradition but undeniably fresh and current.
Traditional Style Look Fresh
Choose Rich Color
In this office, I enveloped the walls in a rich, earthy terracotta that instantly adds depth and character. Rather than relying on muted neutrals, the saturated color creates a warm, cocooning backdrop that makes the classic drapery and timeless landscape art feel current and intentional. Balanced with crisp white built-ins, natural wood tones, and woven textures, the space is certainly traditional with a twist.
