Interiors of the past and popular trends of today blend to create the comfortable and timeless design called Traditional. The aim is not to reproduce looks of the past, but to rethink or reinvent them for the modern home. Rooms are open and airy with large highly curtained windows, stained or faux painted wood, and comfortably upholstered furniture in rich-looking velvet, silk, brocades, and damask fabrics.
- Materials are straightforward, and clutter is nowhere to be found in a contemporary home setting. "Metal looks like metal and plastic looks like plastic. There's a restful simplicity found in quiet muted colors, horizontal lines, and low-slung furniture." Some contemporary designers draw on a high-tech look with commercial fixtures, furniture, and blinds.
One of the most distinguishing features of interior spaces and homes decorated in a formal style is the symmetry of windows, furniture, artwork, and flooring. These elements are most often arranged in exact pairs on a straight axis around the room. Furniture and accessories in formal interiors are often antique. Woods used are generally dark and rich looking colors.
Casual rooms have simple details, textured elements in fabrics and accessories, restful horizontal lines, soft upholstery, low-luster surfaces, and arrangements that avoid perfect symmetry. Details are simple, and elements are rectangular or softly curved.
Transitional design is when you combine two styles into one to create a cohesive look. For example, blending traditional and modern elements. Using a textured fabric on a couch and smooth cottons on an accent chair blends the two styles together. Another example of transitional is combining straight lines with curves.