TRADITIONAL DESIGN IN A MODERN TIME

AMBER CLORE, ASID

So, you’ve recently bought a historic home, and you’re in love with the thought of having so many generations living there before you. Yet you realize that with all those generations and genres of design, comes out dated décor and furniture. And sometimes, it’s only bits and pieces of di¤ferent design styles. So, the question is, what do you do with those items? How do you incorporate them into your home to keep them from being hidden in your dusty garage? Well, I have some answers.

I know what you’re thinking… does a traditional home have to include traditional and dare I say “antique,” furnishings? The answer is NO! It is absolutely possible to make modern décor fit in a period home. We find that items passed down or inherited are typically the prominent furniture pieces, such as a couch, a couple side tables, or maybe a china cabinet. So, how do we incorporate these pieces into the modern designs we are drawn to?

First, start by looking at each traditional piece of furniture and picking out a couple accent colors that could bring all the pieces together. For this “Modern Mixage” design project, we chose a deep sea blue, a soŸt lime green, and just a pop of red-orange. We brought those colors in with some funky patterned pillows, simple window treatments with added personality, and a rug with lots of movement. This completely transitions the furniture from tucked up traditional to the quirky side of modern.

An important element to the space is the wall décor. Here, we hung a large abstract landscape painting that connects all of the accent colors we used in the space. On the other wall, to add just an extra touch of modern, a gallery wall was created. This wall décor option is really trending right now, and one of the best things about it is that it can be incorporated into any design style.

If you think mixing design styles is an impossible task, try to step outside the “traditional” box. As you can see, there are tricks here and there to help you create the exact vibe and look you want in your home. You can liven spaces up with a few unexpected pieces, of course. AŸter all, it is your home, so just have fun with this little project and make sure your personality shines through!

Amber Clore is a Florida Registered Interior Designer and rising star who combines on-trend creative talent with practical, technical design training and expertise. She is the owner of A.Clore Interiors, a vibrant evolutionary design firm in downtown Sanford, FL. Amber is recognized as an emerging leader in industry and local community and serves as President Elect for the American Society of Interior Designers Florida North Chapter. Her passion is to provide a one of a kind design experience for her clients that capture their distinct individual style. Because her transformations are visually striking, functional, and timeless, Amber’s success has been showcased on several design shows and renowned media outlets like HGTV, Houzz.com, and as Fox35 Good Day Orlando’s on-air design exert. Her youthful energy and mature sense of style have created a niche in Sanford, Central Florida and the design world.