Fresh Decorating Ideas for a Traditional Home

One of New England's most charming characteristics is its colonial roots, and the historic architecture that grew from them. From quintessential town greens, to federalist-style homes, much of the landscape is quaint and classic. It's no surprise then, that many homeowners here tend to favor home decor that's traditional and classic -- its a natural complement to the history of the area, and most often what fits best in an antique home.

But, just because a home is from the colonial era doesn't mean it has to look like a museum. It is possible to interpret classic, New England style in a way that feels perfectly present day. Looking for fresh decorating ideas for your traditional New England home? Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Updated antiques. Antiques are a given in traditional decor, and they can be found in abundance at the many local shops and flea markets that dot the region. But, too many antiques in a space can make it feel cold and dated. Our favorite solution? Give them an update. Whether it's adding a coat of colored paint, or switching out drawer pulls for something more contemporary, blending old and new--at least with some of your antiques--will give your home an updated, but still classic, feel.

2. A classic color scheme. Blue and white is about as classic as color combinations get, but thanks to the renewed popularity of things like chinese-inspired pottery and nautical home decor, the combination is also on-trend, too.

3. Gallery walls. Give your classic art collection a modern touch by grouping it together to form a gallery wall. For a tailored, polished look, choose pieces that are similar in shape and color, and create a symmetrical layout. Or, for a more "collected" feel, group together pieces of various sizes, media, and color.

4. Mixed prints. The beautiful thing about traditional prints like stripes, brocades, animal prints, and florals is that they look even better when mixed together. For an updated look, choose prints in a similar color scheme, but vary the scale, choosing one small print, one medium-sized, and one large scale.

For more interior design ideas, visit us on Houzz. And to learn more about Divine Design Build's interior design services in Boston and beyond, visit our "Get Started" page.