Guide 01

Cozy Traditional

Let us waltz into your Nancy Meyers dream house. I'd define your style as traditional meets transitional, but not in a boomer way. It feels proper, and feminine, and won't be going out of style anytime soon. Sometimes it leans a little cottage, and other times it feels like an art collector's city apartment. I think we can pull off doing a bit of both.

Scroll for the full plan ↓

01 / Your style

How i'd describe it

What it is

Timelessly fashionable, "classic"
gallery walls full of original artwork
Eclectic and lived-in, warm
traditional looking lamps, large-scale flower arrangements
slip covers

What it isn't

trendy or trying to reference a specific era
gallery walls full of digital art / posters
minimalist, sterile
Modern statement lamps, anything "edgy"
leather

I know you love pink and blue, but we've gotta figure out how to make that work with your cherry wood walls.

Pleated empire lamp shades, flower arrangements, and vintage ceramic pots

it's all in the TEXTURE, linen, the throw pillow, the wicker baskets. Let's try to recreate this.

lighting (two sconces and two lamps) and intentional combination of decor

02 / What I am noticing

Through-lines

Lamps with empire shades and a ball-shaped base

Large single varietal bouquets

White or cream slip cover couch

Gallery wall of originals

03 / Palette

Recommended color palette and patterns

Linen

couch

Blush

Rhubarb

Your walls

Dusty Blue

Navy

Thin blue and white stripes

04 / You can find it

What to thrift

Thrift

Blue And White Porcelain Fishbowl

This pot can fit the large-scale arrangements you love (like the hydrangeas). I think it looks very elegant and transitional. Feels thriftable - or check eBay if you're striking out.

Thrift

Paintings and Ornate Frames

The only way to achieve this look affordably is to thrift some art, or at least some frames!

Thrift

Solid wood dresser

Heavy-duty dressers like this are fairly easy to find, and they are heavy hitters in terms of bringing some traditional credibility to the room.

Thrift

Vintage Handmade Runners

Thrift

Small original art

Thrift

Persian Rugs

So many of your inspo pictures feature Persian rugs, especially in a warm color palette. Get these secondhand with real age, not fake age printed on.

05 / Make it

What to DIY

DIY

Ottoman Slip Cover

Notes

It's hard to find an ottoman with the exact right funky-fabric. Since you just got a sewing machine AND you are into the slip cover look, I feel like this would be perfect!

Consider thrifting a coffee-table sized ottoman and covering it up. Check out matchy-matchy sewing club for fabric.

▶ Video tutorial @stalrosedesign Shop supplies →

DIY

DIY Frame with Fabric Matting

Notes

Frame some of your own photos and bring some cute warmth in by using fabric as the custom matting. Consider trying gingham (like the tutorial video) or an eyelet fabric (linked).

You could even take it a step further and make it a key hook, like the example image here.

▶ Video tutorial @itsbybecks Shop supplies →