For the last few years, a mindset reset has been brewing under the surface of design blogs, magazines, Facebook groups, and even HGTV. Slowly slipping away are the days of strict style rules as our industry embraces a personalized take on design. Amateur and professional design lovers alike focus more on elements that speak to the people living in the home and less on the rules that accompany a “style” they are trying to achieve.

This shift in thinking has led to some truly beautiful spaces that feel more curated than ever before. By tying in elements from multiple design styles, simply because they bring joy to the space, we can create a home that is a reflection of its inhabitants and will grow with them for decades to come, without worrying about which trends will come and go.

These are a few of the “traditional” design elements that I enjoy seeing in a home, no matter what its overarching “style” is…

1. Well-designed window treatments I love a well-thought-out window treatment, but most specifically I am thinking of drapery rings in this case. If you love the classy touch that rings add to a window, don’t be afraid to add them to your drapes, even if they are super simple and not pleated!

2. Picture lights Artwork is probably my favorite part of any project and should be the most personalized thing in your home. Don’t pick wall art because your neighbor, or worse, dentist, has it. Choose art that stirs a positive emotional reaction in you and embrace it. When you have art in your home that you feel strongly about, you’ll want to draw attention to it and there is no better way to do that than with a picture light.

3. Pattern mixing I feel that nearly any home can take a page from the traditional design handbook when it comes to mixing patterns on upholstered furniture, curtains, and other accessories like pillows. If you want to dip your toe into the pattern mixing world, but aren’t sure where to start, choose an organic pattern (like a floral) in either a large or small scale and layer it with a stripe in the opposite scale.

4. Accessorizing Take a look at the hard surfaces in your home. Are your shelves, tables, or counters calling out for some spice? Consider adding trays, lamps, or candles to them to create a vignette that will add a finishing touch to your home.

5. Antiques Traditional décor lovers tend to focus on curating a collection of high-quality furnishings, many choosing to fill their homes with antique pieces that add familiarity to their homes. I think that every home should include antique pieces, first, because they add interest to a room and second, because “they just don’t make 'em like they used to.”

If you’re trying to bring a curated and lived-in feel to your home but feel overwhelmed by all of the options, don’t sweat it. Take notes of different elements that you like, just like I did above, and then reach out to me for a project proposal. I’d love to give you a rundown of how we’d handle your project!