When Your Style Evolves: Key Pieces for New Looks

It's natural for our tastes and decorating style to evolve over time. If you were once strictly into traditional decor or mad about modern, but now crave something a little different, you have come to the right place. Here I'll share ways to update traditional style and warm up modern spaces for a look that is fresh, current and just right. Let's get started.

Tip: Change your sofa. As the sofa is the largest piece of furniture in most living rooms, swapping it out will result in the biggest style change. Traditional and modern decorating styles may be polar opposites, but they do have one thing in common: fussy sofas! Whether it's a trad sofa that's tufted and trimmed within an inch of its life or a stiff, low-slung minimalist piece, trading in a fussier sofa for a comfy yet sleek sectional, chaise or simple tuxedo sofa is a great way to update your space.


Key piece: Slim console table. A tall, slender console table with sharp lines is a versatile little piece that can fit in just about anywhere — living room, dining room, entry or hall. And its light, airy look fits in beautifully with both modern and traditional furnishings.


Tip: Focus on artwork. Putting oversize paintings and photographs in simple frames, or using no frame at all, is a fresh way to handle artwork. Think of the way an art gallery displays works: one or two to a wall, with lots of white space between. Big, contemporary artwork is a great way to make a traditional space feel more current.


Key piece: Geometric rug. Floors in modern spaces are often left bare — but when you want warmth underfoot, a crisp geometric print rug is the way to go. Softer colors will feel more sophisticated; bolder hues with more contrast, like in the rug here, have a more playful, casual vibe that's perfect for families.


Tip: Open up your space. One great way to refresh a traditional home is by removing a wall or two, opening up the space and contributing to better flow. Don't want to or can't knock down a wall? Try removing a door or two instead.


Tip: Slim down window treatments. Nix the balloon shades and billowing curtains in a traditional space in favor of trim roller shades, mesh shades or sleek blinds. In rooms where privacy and glare are not issues, consider going without window treatments altogether.


Tip: Study your geometry. Rectangles, squares and triangles show up a great deal in contemporary and modern interiors. Balancing sharp shapes (like the glass-top breakfast table shown here) with some softly curving lines will provide visual harmony.


Tip: Simplify accessories. Clearing off tables covered with tchotchkes is one of the quickest ways to update a traditional room. Choose just a few bold accessories for each space — look for pieces with strong shapes and avoid too-small accessories, which only contribute to a cluttered look.


Tip: Swap hardware and accessories. A shopping spree for kitchen accessories can give your kitchen a whole new look for relatively little cost. In the kitchen shown here, shiny square pots for mini topiaries, a matte black coffee carafe and sculptural carved wood objects up the style quotient. Give your existing cabinetry a fresh look on a budget by changing the hardware — look for hardware with straight, sleek lines and crisp corners, in brushed nickel, simple steel or shiny chrome.


Tip: When remodeling, think "stylish yet timeless." The kitchen is one of the biggest-ticket remodels in the house, so if you are looking for a big change there, aim to make design choices that will still look fresh in four or five years. In the kitchen shown here, having different colors and materials for the island and perimeter cabinets makes a big statement yet feels timeless.


Key piece: Sleek chairs. Swapping out bulkier pieces for slender, leggy chairs in leather, chrome and plastic can change the whole look of a dining room, kitchen or breakfast nook. Forgoing the slipcovers, thick cushions and rolled arms doesn't have to mean sacrificing comfort — ergonomic shapes, high-tech materials and slim padded seats offer a surprisingly comfy alternative.


Find your balance: Clear clutter and add warmth. To update a traditional look, you will need to reveal more of your space. Let the light in, move your furniture to help improve flow and pare back on accessories and layers of textiles. For lovers of modern design, a too-minimalist home may be the issue. In that case hunt for fun vintage accessories, pottery and artwork, and layer rugs to add warmth and personality.

Tell us: How has your style evolved over time?

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