Since I am going to add more blue and white to my home this year I have been looking at more rooms with this wonderfully classic color combination.
I am a traditionalist and always will be, but I also want my home to look fresh and somewhat current.
In looking at different room images I noticed what made the classic color scheme look fresh and current was the use of a brighter or a strong contrast color combination added to the mix.
I also noticed the pattern choices made a huge difference in the look.
A more current looking piece of furniture, accessories, or even a more modern piece of art added to the traditional look made the room look fresh and current also.
I have found a few images that took the classic traditional look and made it look fresh and new.
See if you agree……
Designer Gideon Mendleson as seen in House Beautiful
Love the wallpaper and the drape in the buffalo check, both very traditional. The console table with it’s clean lines and bright yellow paint just make this vignette look new and fresh. So does the great drum shade on the traditional brass floor lamp.
The majority of the pieces in this room are very traditional. By adding the high contrast black and white zebra pillows, and the modern grid wallpaper this room takes on a very current room of today.
Also notice the lamps. The lamps on the console are very traditional, but the end tables with the chrome reading lamps are more contemporary.
Decorpad
A very traditional chair in a stripe that has been given new life with a bright coral high gloss paint. The addition of black and white here is also a nice pop of high contrast that grounds the room. Even the slight touch of bright yellow flowers makes this room look more today!
%5B5%5D.jpg "8 samantha Pynn and Virginia Macdonald photography (400x600)")
Samantha Pynn & Virginia Macdonald photography
Just look at the shield back chairs and the soft pink tufted chair, both which are traditional in feel, and yet this room looks totally current due to the addition of the pink and the blue and white striped drapes.
I also like the way they used the classic color of blue on the console topped with pretty white gourd-like lamps. The addition of the capiz shell chandelier is also very today. I love flowers and the group of mini bouquets is a fun touch.
%20(360x460)%5B5%5D.jpg "T.Keller Donovan (360x460) (360x460)")
T. Keller Donnovan
Everything in this image is quite traditional and yet it feels like it was done today. I think the addition of the lantern light fixture is wonderful.
The upholstery with its contrast cord welting in white makes this dining room look fresh. I think a black table would have been stunning and maybe the chairs painted bright gloss white.
I do love a high contrast color combination in the mix, and it is almost always going to be black and white for me.
So what do you think? Can a traditional home, or room done in classic blue and white look current?
I have more images to share with you all and I will do another post on this subject in the near future. I am pulling together images of wallpapers that I am attracted too. This should be fun!!! I love sharing all of this with my readers!! I hope you all enjoy it also!?
“Enjoy the Process” Of:
Finding new ways to make a traditional look more TODAY!!
Kathysue
12 comments:
Love blue and white - especially with a modern update. Have a great day!
Absolutely, you have a lot of great examples. Did you see the blue and white room that just won Schumacher's contest, it's on their blog today. Gorgeous.
Blue and white always a favorite, especially with a bright color added.
I think that blue and white can go in with any style of decor...it is always fresh, pretty and appealing.(-:
I love blue and white and am tossing around doing it in our guest room. Love the first image with the yellow....unexpected but makes it so fresh!
Hi Kathysue,
You always find just the perfect images. I love the yellow with blue and white. Such a happy look. Hope you are having a sunny California kind of day.
Hugs,
Jeanette
Hi Kathysue! Of course, I love the blue and white! The last photo with the plates on the wall really spoke to me! :-) Loved the trend train post, too. I drool over those all white shabby rooms...gorgeous! But I'm not re-doing my whole house! And can you say...cat hair??? lol I hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie
Love the stronger blue and white patterns coupled with a punch of green, yellow or pink - what would you do with all your black and white, Kathysue?
I really do like all this blue & white....it's just too bad I don't want any in my house! I think I had an overdose growing up: it's all my Mother EVER had; thus, I just can't see it in any room of mine. I did paint our old bedroom in a gray blue and am considering it for our new guest room: with lots of red touches, of course!
I will try to post tomorrow how I use blue and white in my living room. Stay tuned:):):)
I think what updates the blue and white in all the rooms is that pop of color, and I mean a real modern pop of color.
Great post as always!
The white sofa in that second image is me, Kathysue, I love it. I've said it before that I'd love a second home for blue and white, traditional, that is, with just enough jazz going on to make it hip (like that second image). Wouldn't it be nice to have a couple of homes, in a couple of styles, to indulge all of our whims!
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