Here’s how to update your traditional decor by making family heirlooms feel fresh with accessories and new fabrics. This is a revised post with newer photos since this is a home decor topic that is frequently researched.
How To Update Your Traditional Decor
Here is the living room after we changed the interior layout and added new fabrics and a new color palette.
My client, Jeanne had inherited several antique pieces from her parents and wasn’t sure how to make it all work.
Dining Room and Living Area Before
Here it is before with the dining furniture in the front and the sitting area traditional furniture in back.
Everything was too cramped and that far wall looked empty with just the gilt mirror.
I bumped my shin on this table and the area rug wasn’t working.
Changing The Furniture Layout
We flipped the furniture and brought in a smaller sofa that Jeanne had in another room.
It feels much more spacious. Notice the wall-to-wall seagrass carpet is transitional in a traditional home as are the bamboo roman shades as window treatments.
Shopping Your Home
When I came back the second time, I had Jeanne put all her accessories in one place…and we shopped it for accent pieces.
and re-accessorized everything including the mantel. This makes it a less formal dining room.
Her parent’s traditional chairs were updated with reupholstery in Barclay Butera’s Greek Key.
The color scheme is a coastal favorite in shades of blue.
Focal Point Arrangement With Mirror And Artwork
We made this wall more of a focal point by putting the sofa table (that was dividing the room before) here, changing the mirror and adding dining chairs that can be pulled up to the sitting area. Notice the symmetry. The sea fans were brought in from the family room.
Simple Coffee Table Styling
We brought Jeanne’s grandmother’s chest (from when she immigrated from Scotland) in here
and added vintage accessories like these cool alabaster grapes from her parents house in the ’60’s.
The new square pillows are in Martin Lawrence Bullard’s “Sultan Suzani” with a flat welt trim.
We were going to recover and stain her existing Bergere chairs, but Jeanne found these on sale at Restoration Hardware…and I like them better.
Woodyliana custom made the linen lumbar pillows with Schumacher/Mary McDonald “Madame Wu” fretwork. (Li hand stitched the iron-on appliqué for durability).
Notice how the pillows match the back of the built-in cabinet?
Jeanne painted them a shade from Farrow and Ball).
By changing some design elements, Jeanne’s family uses this memento filled room so much more.
Do you use items passed down in your family?
Matthew Jones says
I think I have never seen such blogs ever before that has complete things with all details which I want. So kindly update this ever for us.
Jennifer Heather says
seems like really great to me!! I've found inspiration of decorating my home through studying this awesome post. Thanks.
Kelly Webb says
Your traditional decoration tips are really awesome and I think I can use a few them to remodel my home
shaving mirrors says
Hello sir, How are you today?
Bottom range – just get weblog on classiccasualhome.com.It is a equity website for all the individuals.I think that it website is the aspect of our individual lifestyle.We can not think without it.So I like this website. It’s awesome how many profitable tasks I’ve gotten via my weblogs. Plus my weblogs have been an excellent way to demonstrate situations my composing just as much as segments, examples, etc.As I want to discuss Another popular miracle carpet was Floor rug of Expert Solomon, which was allegedly able to drive and control the gusts of wind at the behest of its master, and was said to be secured from the warm of the sun by a massive cover of parrots. Although transport was not immediate like Royal prince Husain's carpet, bikers were still able to journey a large number of kilometers in convenience, in just one day.
Congratulation for Article.
Fabrik ETC says
Good post ,valuable and very useful information,you has provided us for that I really thankful to you,I will bookmark it for sharing with my friends.Really great presentation of information.
Upholstery
SHOAB says
Hi Sir, You are really good writer.
It is very well information about on classiccasualhome.com.It is very helpful in using social media sites.All people always want to know all about things that you have been described. It is very valuable & very nice posting! I will bookmark this blog as I have Welcome to Rugstar.com.au, Australia's favorite on-line rug buying groceries in Australia: we get direct offers from the manufacturer to you! We promote an out of this world range of Australian favourite Area Rugs, carpet rug, by way of shopping online you'll stay on shaggy, up to date, wool, traditional and plenty of different rug designs.
Thanks For Only You Create That cute Article.
Joni Webb says
wow – the entire house looks so great! you did a really, really good job. love the slipped chairs in the family room!
Carol Stebner says
The room looks wonderful with the new arrangement and the family treasures. I just incorporated some of my hubby's parents' treasures into our home and just love it.
Natasha In Oz says
Wow, what a stunning transformation! Thanks for sharing your ideas and decorating tips.
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Nellie's Cozy place says
Wow, this was awesome and looks like it should be in a Veranda magazine, maybe you should submit some photos, or to traditional home magazine. Seriously…………
Loved the white and the touches of that pretty blue, and swapping the furniture
was a great idea.
Good going!! and hope they are loving their new rooms.
blessings, Nellie
Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home says
So beautiful, love the blue! I love family heirlooms and antiques, nice to see how you have freshened them up with fabric!
Amaze Me Monday is linked up, would be great to have you share!
Blessings,
Cindy
At The Picket Fence says
What a beautiful transformation!!! It always amazes me how something as simple as flipping spaces and rearranging furniture can have such a big impact. Of course with your attention to detail it all goes up several (dozen) notches too Mary Ann! 🙂
Vanessa
Fairhope Supply Co. says
This looks great! I particularly like the greek key chair fabric.
Chic Coastal Living says
Love this room re do! You really have a great eye for coastal design! XO
vignette design says
Just by rearranging the furniture and accessorizing with new, fresh fabrics and Jeanne's heirlooms, you created a beautiful updated room that feels so warm and inviting. Great job! Can't wait to see what you do next! ~Delores
Jan says
Do you know the paint color on the back of the cabinet? The whole room is lovely.
Ivy Clad says
I love how this looks so fresh and young. Brilliant re-design!
Keri
cURioSItaELlyA says
I love splash of blues on the textile and the chinese ginger jar. The whole room looks very warm, inviting, beautiful and cozy! Love it!
http://www.curiositaellya.blogspot.com/
Jboo says
Love how this turned out! She must be so pleased!! Quick question — would a PB slipcovered sofa work with two wing chairs? Or is that mixing casual and traditional too much? Thanks!
janet
nat2377 says
Great re-do using everything she already had! I especially love how you gathered all her accessories and then "shopped" them and rearranged. Brilliant!
annie says
Mary Ann,
I looked at this last night and had to come back again just to soak up all the great details. I love how you work…with treasures that people already have, but the way you group things and put them all together really brings out the charm and beauty of it all. When are you coming to NY? I think my house needs your eye!
xo
annie
designchic says
And I can't wait to see what you did in the family room. It's amazing what moving around furniture, great pillows and a few accessory changes can do. Just love the wall with the mirror and fans and flipping the rooms was a perfect solution!! Great job!
Karen says
Nice job, Mary Ann. What a pretty home and I love the accessories mixed with the great furnishings.
Karen
Melinda says
Love all these beautiful homes you are sharing, they are right up my alley! Love all the colours, the use of blue and white, touches of black and that perfect mix of traditional with a bit of a modern update. Thanks for the inspiration. Heavenly.
Kathysue says
Mary Ann,
Jeanne was so smart to hire you! What a wonderful feel and look you gave to her room. Love all of the touches. Especially love the Madame Wu applique on the pillows. I am having Liana make some pillows for my family room, what a joy she is to work with!
Happy Tuesday,
Kathysue
Coastalpines says
The entry and the sofa table wall are beautiful…I'll be pinning them! Hoping you had a lovely holiday weekend
Brenda Murphy says
Whoa Nelly! Awesome! I love that the family pieces were incorporated in a current way. Next time I go home to visit my parents I will "shop" their storage room;) Great post.b
Nancy says
I absolutely love reading these posts Mary Ann – it always amazes me how a few new accessories and a fresh eye can literally transform a room! Now that I have a little "brathing room" you've inspired me to take a fresh look at my rooms!!
shaving mirrors says
Hi Sir, You are really fantastic writer.
Very real, I only began finding this a few decades ago. It can display me a best way on this concept. This is very awesome able web page on classiccasualhome.com.We are getting many types of service by this web page.I also like this web page. I will save this Welcome to Rugstar.com.au, Australia's favorite online rug buying groceries in Australia: we get direct deals from the producer to you! We sell an implausible range of Australian favorite floor rugs, carpet rug, by way of shopping on-line you'll keep on shaggy, modern, wool, traditional and lots of different rug designs.
Thanks for your valuable Article.
LRS4AMANDA says
With a little tweaking, you really transformed the space. The new fabrics and the RH chairs Jeanne picked out are gorgeous! And those Asian chests of hers…so beautiful.
We have a few large pieces of artwork that were given to us by my in-laws, and a wrought iron patio set my dad and step-mom handed down to me many years ago.
Linda in S.D.
Gail Storti says
Wow….another FABULOUS transformation! I love how you opened up the room, worked with the wonderful family pieces that she had, shopped things from her own collection of great accessories then pulled the whole thing together with a few new pieces and Li's gorgeous pillows! It has an eclectic feel of old and new and feel so inviting and up-to-date!
You are amazing and so talented Mary Ann! Can't wait to see more!
Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt says
What a wonderful transformation….love how you rearranged things. It now has a nice flow to it..
Lynford Rozario says
Outstanding..!Loved the new look especially the dinning room..:)
Android Developer
[email protected] says
Wow. This looks amazing. Some really clever and beautiful changes. I love that you updated their older pieces, it makes for such great personality. And the pillows are to die for. Seriously 🙂
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Fabulous transformation! I love classics and you made them look fresh and not too fussy! LOVE IT!
Lauren (The Cottage Mix) says
Love what you put together, Mary Ann! Especially love all of the fabrics!! Can't wait to see more!
pam {simple details} says
Beautiful job, Mary Ann! The fabric on the chairs give them such a fresh look. I love the idea of having clients pull all their accessories together to shop from.
Linda {Calling it Home} says
It is more amazing what fresh eyes can see in a space. I want to use my family pieces more, and this gave me some new ideas. It looks great.
Interior Design Musings says
This is divine!! Love. it. all. Fantastic job. M.
AntiqueChase says
I really love this and that the owner wanted to make her heirlooms work! I really liked the way you mixed all the wood tones. I am really struggling with this right now.. I have lots of warm pine and have recently added in some bare/grey woods and some darker woods… The pine is screaming orange and it's really bothering me. I see that you worked in some of these same elements so I am going to "study" how you did this… can't wait to see the rest!! Marcy
Moni - Zuhaus at Home says
Love the fresh new look….beautiful!
Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood says
Great job updating this space Mary Ann. Love those Schumacher lumbars by Woody Liana…she is so good. And how cool to have such a big dining room table to seat a big group. Looking forward to seeing the family room 🙂
Have a great day Mary Ann…
Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside says
I love the new updated look!!!
Lorraine Finkbeiner says
Looks much improved! The RH chairs are beautiful!
Janette - The2Seasons says
Fantastic!!!
Loi Thai, Tone on Tone says
The room now looks fabulous and more spacious. What a huge difference!! I love that Martin Lawrence Bullard fabric. My friend just used it in her FL home.
Cheers,
Loi
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
It's amazing how a fresh perspective can completely reimagine a space. I love the dining area by the fireplace, and the fabric on the dining chairs totally changes them up.
La Dolfina says
You have been a brilliant busy bee!!!!
Love what you did for Jeanne's home!
Wendi @ Classic Chic Home says
What a great transformation, Mary Ann! The new furniture arrangement makes such a difference. The space definitely looks more current with your lovely fabric choices. Just beautiful!
~ Wendi
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
Such a nice transformation. MaryAnn, you are the queen of vignettes too!
Happy Monday.
Teresa
xoxo
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
You worked your magic and this all looks fabulous now. Love the RH chairs. One of these days I am going to get some on sale at the outlet after I finish saving for my trip to France.
Karen@StrictlySimpleStyle says
Jeanne had so many beautiful pieces to begin with, your editing and changes really made them shine.