0

Your Cart is Empty

Forget the Trends: For 2022, Traditional is Back in the Best Way

Forget the Trends: For 2022, Traditional is Back in the Best Way

Our 2022 design resolution: Lean into what truly speaks to us. At Rainsford Company, that means embracing classic decor through and through, without getting sidetracked by buzzy trends or fleeting fancies.

Don't get us wrong — we love a seasonal trend guide as much as the next homebody, and are happily devoring all the fun and fresh trend reports and style predictions pouring through our feeds these days courtesy of our favourite decor publications. (Hot: curvy furniture, maximalist pattern, and the colour green. Not: stark minimalism, modern farmhouse, and totally open floor plans). But, when we parse out the looks that we would actually want to live with, we always seem to land back on more of the same — and that's just fine by us.

If we're being totally honest, we used to be shy to call our look "traditional." Lucky for us, it's not a dirty word anymore, conjuring up images of fussy, formal spaces devoid of real life. The New Traditional, as interior designers are calling it, is fun, lively and full of personality. Cue classic details like tasseled trims, crown moulding and millwork, and wallpaper and fabrics in predictable pattern repeats ranging from florals to stripes to animal prints, all set against a fresh, layered colour palette.

So to kick off the year again, we're forgoing the standard trend report in favour of this: A round-up of classic, timeless — and yes, we're saying it! — traditional design elements that will forever be in style.

HALLMARKS OF THE NEW TRADITIONAL

Skirted & Slipcovered Furniture

Nothing adds softness to a room like draped fabrics. Blocky, mid-century sofas are finally making way for cushy seating with curved silhouettes, finished with feminine box pleated skirts. The same approach rings true for all uphostered furniture, such as beds and ottomans. Also seeing a resurgance: floorlength tablecloths (especially on small accent tables) and slipcovered Parsons dining chairs. Pretty is back!

Design by Maureen Magula Design.

Design by Sarah Bartholomew Design. Photo by Marta Xochilt Perez.

Design by Sarah Bartholomew Design. Photo by Gieves Anderson.

Design by Bria Hammel Interiors. Photo by Spacecrafting Photography.

Design by Ashley Hanley. Photo by Kip Dawkins.

Dark Woods

From floors to furniture, woods are returning to a darker tones. Rich walnut, stained oak, ebony and mahogany are back, along with tropical woods like mango and acacia. If you're already in a committed design relationship with the airy, blonde Scandinavian woods that had previously taken over the design world, no sweat: Mixing tones of wood is way less taboo — and easier to make work — than you might think. Simply stick to similar undertones and finishes, and when bringing a contrasting wooden piece into a room (say, a walnut table in a room with white oak floors), repeat the accent tone at least twice in the same (for example, by adding in a walnut-framed art piece or bar cabinet.)

Design by Julia Marcum.

Design by Heidi Caillier Design. Photo by Haris Kenjar.

Design by Griffin Houghton Design. Photo by Virginia MacDonald.

Design by Heidi Caillier. Photo by Haris Kenjar.

Design by Lily Dierkes. Photo by Stephen Pagano.

Design by Park and Oak.

Block Prints

Whether created in the traditional way using hand-cut wood-block stamps, or silkscreened using more modern technolgies, the bright colours and graphic motifs of blockprint style patterns will never not be on our love list. From intricate paisley and suzani patterns to geometrics and stylized florals, motifs that keep true to the technique's Indian roots will always have a place in our hearts and our homes. Layer together pillows, drapes, and wallpaper to whatever level of boldness you like.

Design by Sarah Bartholomew Design. Photo by Marta Xochilt Perez.

Design by Maureen Magula Design.

Design by Sarah Bartholomew Design. Photo by Aimee Mazzenga.

Design by Tori Rubinson Interiors. Photo by Stephen Karlisch.

Pedestal Dining Tables

When (at long last) we're able to share in each other's close company again, these are the perfect dining tables to gather around. Intimate meals call for intimate seating, and round pedestal tables are ideal for shared conversation.

Design by Jennifer Barron. Photo by Molly Culver.

Design by Ashley Hanley. Photo by Kip Dawkins.

Design by Becca Interiors. Photo by Rikki Snyder.

Design by Julia Marcum.

Old-School Hardware

Basic, run-of-the-mill handles are being replaced with attention-grabbing old-fashioned hardware, on cabinetry and furniture alike. Look out for cupped bin pulls, hinged ring pulls and swing handles, and inset campaign-style hardware. It's like giving your space some heirloom jewelry to wear. The throwback-look extrends to kitchen and bathroom fixtures too, such as curvy gooseneck sink faucets, fancy tap handles and shiny exposed pipes.

Design by Murphy Deesign. Photo by Zeke Ruelas.

Design by Megan Molten. Photo by Margaret Wright.

Design by LC and Kel Design. Photo by Lauren Miller.

Design by Sarah Knuth.

Design by Studio McGee.

Design by Salvesen Graham.

The Grid Gallery Wall

Line 'em up! The freshest way to style a gallery wall is aligned and symmetical. Use matching frames and sizes across the board for a clean, proper look. To go all the way, mount a series of illustrations, art pieces or photos by the same artist as a simple-yet-impactful series.

Art by Renee Bouchon.

Design by Jean Stoffer Design. Photo by Stoffer Photography Interiors.

Design by Amber Lewis.

Design by Maine House Interiors. Photo by Lisa Cohen.

Built-Ins of All Kinds

You name the nook, and designers are making it permanent. Window seats, banquettes, bars, and bookcases — if it can be built-in, it will be in 2022. Built-ins create custom look (albeit with a custom pricetag) that being even further enhanced with intricated millwork and moulding, arched frames, and rich colours. We love the style and storage they add to a space (especially when adapted for unique uses, like the built-in workspace-cum-cocktail bar pictured below.)

Design by Sarah Bartholomew Design. Photo by Laurey Glenn.

Design by Sarah Bartholomew Design.

Design by Katie LeClercq Design Studio. Photo by Aaron Leitz.

Design by Kelsey Leigh Design Co. Photo by Emily Hart.

Design by Katie LeClercq Design Studio. Photo by Aaron Leitz.



Also on the Rainsford Blog

5 Interior Design Trends That Will Take 2024
5 Interior Design Trends That Will Take 2024

by Andrea Doxey | Rainsford Company January 02, 2024

These are our predictions for the top design trends in 2024
Fresh Traditional Trends to Try for Fall 2023
Fresh Traditional Trends to Try for Fall 2023

by Rainsford Company August 16, 2023

These are the top interior decor looks we're loving this autumn.
Before & After: Staining Our House White
Before & After: Staining Our House White

by Andrea Doxey June 27, 2023

Before and after of painting exterior