While a lot of traditional furniture tends to cost more from retailers — maybe because it demands more curvy lines or ornamentation than its modern counterparts, maybe for other reasons? — one piece can go a long way towards establishing a mood or introducing a new note. You can also always keep your eye out for antiques at estate sales or on Ebay, and I've included an Etsy example here, as well.
1. Sunburst Armoire from Wisteria, $1999
2. Calvert Sofa from Pottery Barn, $1599-1899
3. Chippendale Chair from Jayson Home and Garden, $495
4. Clark End Table from Overstock, $101.99
5. Carter Chair in leather, from Mitchell Gold Bob Williams
6. Rosette Sleigh Bed from Restoration Hardware, $1615-$2065
7. Sophia Chest from Grandin Road, $499
8. Louis XV Three-Seater Sofa from Wisteria, $1599
9. Entablature Bookcase from Restoration Hardware, $2295
10. Vintage Dresser with Mirror from PoppyCottage on Etsy, $695
11. Italian Campaign Bed from Anthropologie, $1250
12. "Natural" Dining Table from Horchow, $1758.90
13. Farmhouse Side Chair from Williams Sonoma, $245
Do you like traditional furniture in your home, or do you prefer a more modern aesthetic?
Images: As linked above.














Shaw's Original Fir...
Traditional all the way...I've always loved Swedish furniture..too bad they are too darn expensive, my dream source would be a Swedish furniture company called Country Swedish but i think one dining chair costs like $1,500.
I am glad I discovered Wisteria, I was able to purchase a few pieces at 'ok' prices whenever they have a sale...though i am getting slighty sick of mango wood furniture they sell. I also love my king size french bed(with headboard, rails and footboard!) bought from Restoration hardware for less than $1,000!
My another resource is ABC outlet store...
Our furniture style of choice tends to be traditional, but we hate some of the prices that often to come along with it, and we really don't like it when a room's furniture selecting looks like the decorator just opened the pages of a catalog and ordered all of the items at once. A bit ago we wrote about including one unique item in every room, but the unique items can still be quite traditional. We've found a lot of our traditional pieces from various low(er) cost outlets, like the antique bed we purchased from eBay.
http://www.oldtownhome.com/2011/5/20/My-Design-Philosophy-One-Unique-Item-in-Every-Room/index.aspx
If you have patience you can accomplish a layered and sophisticated look using a mix of traditional furniture without looking like it fell out of the pages of a catalog.
Love the sleigh bed.
We have an antique French armoire similar to this, less intricately carved. It's huge, but is not very practical for storage (I worry it would topple over if I put anything too heavy in it so it just houses glasses that are not frequently used). That's the problem with genuine antiques - they look nice, but are not practical. In the same room, we also have a marble-topped claw-foot table, and I have to keep telling the kids not to lean too heavily on it in case the marble top slides off and smashes. I prefer our modern pieces.
@pearmelon --
If you put your weightier items in the bottom of your armoire rather than the top - it will naturally be more tip-resistant...
...and as far as your marble-topped table - you should seek out your local marble & granite company to have bolts installed into the bottom of your marble top so that it can be securely bolted to your table base.
I have those chairs in number 5 ! I got them for $200 each off craigslist. :)
Love that armoire
We love a mix of traditional, unique and modern. We have teak and mango wood throughout our house. We recently bought a lot of art decor items from Wholesale Vases we put them in every room in the house.