East Coast Meets West Coast: Confessions of a Traditional Design Lover in California
See how we create timeless spaces by blending the best of traditional + modern styles
It always feels like I’m abandoning my California roots here, but I gotta say it…
Straight up minimalistic, modern** interiors just aren’t really my jam.
**Uncluttered rooms and clean lines? Yes please! Modern upgrades to tech and textiles that make our homes more functional and durable? Absolutely.
But at the end of the day, my favorite spaces always have lots of traditional touches. I like to think of my own personal style as “East Coast classics meet West Coast sensibilities”. Aka, some vintage pieces, detailed millwork, and traditional lines fused with California’s signature laid-back attitude. Spaces that have a hint of formality, but never feel fussy.
In other words: Timeless interiors for Modern families.
(Which just so happens to be our tagline here at JKB Home Design.)
“Timeless” is a request we get a lot from our clients, and it’s obviously what we strive for in our designs. So what does it really mean?
To us, timeless designs are ones that aren’t stuck in a specific era. They’re not tied to a fleeting trend or a specific “look”. Instead, they’re a blend of styles and aesthetics. For us, it’s often a strategic blend of traditional details and modern sensibilities.
Why do we love mixing traditional and modern design styles?
Traditional interiors often get a bad rap. Many people hear the words “traditional style” and immediately picture a stuffy grandmother’s house, complete with doilies on the end tables and matching patterned pillows, drapery, and uncomfortable wingback chairs.
Rest assured, this isn’t what we mean when we say we love traditional design.
To use only traditional elements creates a time capsule. That’s never what we’re going for. But…
Traditional design has some incredible qualities that add soul, richness, and depth to a space. To reject this style altogether is to miss out on some great pieces and beautiful design opportunities. This is why we love blending styles. Layering different design styles lets each one shine a little brighter.
While a traditional layout, wainscotting, and wallpaper anchor this dining room, woven furnishings and a modern metallic chandelier add fresh textures.
3 key benefits of mixing modern and traditional interior design styles in your home
First, traditional touches bring a soul that’s hard to find in strictly modern spaces.
We’re definitely not bad mouthing California’s signature style. After all, we love the giant windows, the focus on indoor/outdoor living, and the clean lines.
But there’s something about traditional millwork, statement fireplaces, and the curved lines of vintage pieces that bring another layer of soul to a space. By mixing in traditional touches, you’re adding a layer of depth to modern spaces. This is often what takes a room from “house” to “home”.
When spaces have some of these traditional touches, they feel more welcoming and comfortable — like a human actually lives here — instead of the sleek lobby of some tech startup.
Second, layering and mixing design styles ensures you pick pieces you actually like — and makes it easy to update and tweak your spaces when you want to.
We like to approach interiors a bit like a capsule wardrobe. Thoughtfully collecting pieces that feel great, look fantastic, and elevate one another; consciously choosing each element as a part of a whole.
Some modern, even “trendy” accents are great. They keep things fresh and fun. But the majority of the design should be classic and timeless — a mix of tried-and-true staples you’ll love for years.
Because when the majority of elements are classics — with colors, patterns, lines and proportions you genuinely love — you can add in a new, modern, or trendy element here and there without having to start from scratch.
With your wardrobe, you can add in a trendy pair of statement earrings or a bold pair of sneakers to freshen up your look anytime, knowing they’ll pair beautifully with the classic foundation already in place.
In your home, this might look like updating your lighting or refreshing the pillows on the sofa to upgrade the look without worrying if it “matches” or is “on trend”. The question simply becomes: is this a piece that I like, and does it fit the general scale of this space?
*I get that this is sometimes “easier said than done”. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, or just want to bounce ideas off a designer, a design consultation is an easy, affordable, zero-pressure option. Learn more about our design consultations here.
Finally, mixing modern and traditional design elements ensures your spaces feel timeless.
100% traditional interiors aren’t the only type of spaces that feel like a time capsule. In fact, trend-driven interiors are typically the ones that feel the MOST locked in an era. What once felt fresh and new feels stale pretty quickly. Think about:
The maroon-and-hunter green palettes of the 90s
The Tuscan-inspired kitchens of the early 2000s
The gray wood flooring + greige walls in every real estate flip for the past 15 years
While all of those were on-trend at one point, their singular focus makes them feel dated now. Instead of going all-in on the reigning trend of the day — or on completely traditional pieces, for that matter — a strategic mix keeps spaces from getting locked into an era.
So, how do we blend the best of California’s modern style with traditional design elements?
Here are our favorite ways to keep traditional designs feeling fresh
Don’t go overboard with matching.
The “Grandma’s house” vibe we want to avoid usually comes from a lot of matching elements — a matching set of upholstered furniture, or a matching suite of end-and-coffee tables. Instead, we want to layer in pieces with complementary lines and scale, but with different finishes.
We love mixing wood tones, metallic hardware, and textiles. This creates a fresh, layered space that’s personal rather than era-specific.
Lean into asymmetry
Overly-formal spaces tend to be very symmetrical. Think: matching bookcases and sconces flanking the fireplace, with matching armchairs and end tables in front, etc. And while we love symmetry, too much of a good thing is still too much.
Instead, change up the lighting — maybe a floor lamp on one side, a table lamp on the other. Or, opt for two different chair styles and scales with different upholstery. Instead of a large centered piece of art above the mantle, try layering a couple for an asymmetrical focal point.
Symmetry is important in design. It’s soothing and creates balance. But asymmetry brings movement and energy, which helps keep rooms feeling fresh and timeless.
Add in modern elements
A vintage chair and sofa set in a matching, dated textile might feel stuffy and stale. But, that same set, reupholstered in fresh, complementary-yet-contrasting textiles suddenly feels fresh and fun — and lets the best features of the traditional style stand out. Instead of simply seeing dated furniture, you get to appreciate the curved wooden legs, the rolled arms, or the contrast trim details. And, you get a piece that’s all your own.
In the same way, mixing traditional millwork and modern lighting creates a timeless space that feels carefully collected and curated to the specific home — not just a collection of dated pieces all from the same furniture showroom in the 70s.
Here, traditional millwork and hues are kept fresh and timeless with asymmetrical styling and a modern light fixture.
Our favorite traditional touches to add character to your home
While every one of our designs is unique to the home and the family that lives there, we absolutely have favorite traditional elements we love to use when we can. These include:
· WALLPAPER — bold color, pattern, or texture? Yes please.
· MILLWORK — oversized trim, moldings on the wall or ceiling, and statement mantles make us swoon.
· TRADITIONAL FURNITURE DETAILS — think carved legs, tufted upholstery, and contrast welting.
· LIVED-IN FINISHES — warm woods, unlacquered brass, and vintage mirrors make our hearts go pitter
patter at JKB Home Design.
· BUILT-INS — bookcases, bench seating, or quirky niche storage — we love it all.
By adding the right mix of traditional details into your modern home, we can create rich, layered, timeless spaces that only get better with time.
Looking to add some traditional character to your modern California home? Let’s chat.
Get in touch to learn more about our design process and how we can help you love your home.
