Jeff Andrews was recently named one of the new traditionalists by TRADhome. When I think of traditional design, I think of an interior that is formal and mature. The new traditional design is not what I would expect and is drawing interest from younger clients. Since Jeff was named the New Traditionalist, I asked him to define this new style and share what he loves most about the aesthetic.
I included a few pictures from Jeff's portfolio to serve as an example of the New Traditional design.
Apartment Therapy: Have you always considered yourself a traditional designer?
Jeff Andrews: Not really. I would say my work comes from a traditional base, but I don’t like to play by traditional rules. I love all periods and styles of design and never like to be tied to one label.
Apartment Therapy: Are there any particular colors that define the new traditional style?
Jeff Andrews: Color is such an important element of design, but I can’t say I follow color trends. Personally I am using a lot of pastels and grays lately. I don’t know if that defines new traditional, but I love it!
Apartment Therapy: What are the major defining elements of the style?
Jeff Andrews: Originality, confidence, risk, commitment, and comfort
Apartment Therapy: What types of clients are drawn to this particular type of design?
Jeff Andrews: Everyone! People want to live in an environment that is beautifully composed, while remaining livable and attainable.
Apartment Therapy: What do you love most about the new traditional style?
Jeff Andrews: New Tradition is about how perfect imperfection can be! It is not about pedigree or labels, but about interesting choices that are personal and fresh. I think everyone has New Traditional in them.
Apartment Therapy: What are your favorite sources for new traditional furniture and accessories?
Jeff Andrews: Vintage, vintage, vintage. 1st Dibs is amazing as well as local antique malls and shops. As far as new items go, I think Restoration Hardware and Ralph Lauren are doing a great job of creating accessible, well designed pieces for almost any interior.
MORE: Jeff Andrews
Images: Tim Street Porter
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Oh wow, what a splendid bunch of meaningless generalities that don't actually say anything about anything. "Interesting choices that are personal and fresh". see in new traditional and no other style -_-
Luckily, pictures said their thousand words :)
Fleo -- SO TRUE.
"Apartment Therapy: What are the major defining elements of the style?
Jeff Andrews: Originality, confidence, risk, commitment, and comfort"
That tells me absolutely NOTHING.
So glad for the photos. The first one gives me the best understanding. When I think "traditional" I usually think old, stodgy and a bit fussy -- but this new traditional style seems to be more relaxed and youthful, with cleaner modern lines.
exactly my thoughts, @fleo!
I think something that appeals to me in traditional style, new or old, is a discernible but not overwhelming degree of symmetry, like bookcases on either side of a fireplace or other focal point. I suppose that could go in any design style, but it's what comes to my mind. Fleo, I guess it's hard to get people who work in shapes and colors to be as articulate with words as they are in the language of objects.
Restoration Hardware as accessible is totally subjective, BUT I am really into these photos!
P.S. I'd like to see some more interiors that are considered "New Traditional"...
Agreed sturgeongeneral,
RH is way out of my price range, and I'm by no means "poor". I don't think the average person can regularly shop at RH...
and m'elizabeth,
sure, it may be hard to communicate the aesthetic -- but he could have given us SOMETHING, ANYTHING concrete...he gave nothing. The responses left the reader with no idea about the new traditional style beyond generalizations that apply to all design aesthetics
I remember in High school I had a teacher who would give out a "golden shovel" award on essay tests for the person who wrote the most BS that sounded great (until you realized they were just a bunch of meaningless generalities). the "shovel" was meant to dig through all the BS.
This interview lovingly reminded me of that award. :)
I like the bedside table in in the fouth picture. Anyone know where it's from?
I don't think it's Andrews' responsibility to define what new traditionalism is. If AT wanted him to answer that question more fully they should have pressed him for a more detailed response.
I think the photos of his work are quite lovely and as MyAliya said, they go a long way towards illustrating the style.
"New Tradition is about how perfect imperfection can be"
This was an interesting interview to read. I'm not quite sure I fully understand New Tradition just yet but I like the idea and imperfect is accepted and welcomed - I love imperfect rooms - they provide interest and atmosphere!
Yes, I want to know more about the nightstand/ bedside table in picture #4 too. Can anyone suggest something similar?
Wow! The only things missing are Ron and Nancy.
definition....Mantle; "something that covers or conceals." Mantel: "shelf or structure above a fireplace."
Well, judging from the photos, rather than the interview, I'd say New Traditionalism looks a lot like a typical photo spread from Southern Living ... things just a bit oversized and the rooms just a bit crowded with "traditional" but otherwise brand spanking new stuff ... nothing risky or original about it, but fine if that's what the client likes.
"...everybody wants to own a slice of Versailles." And there is something wrong with that, cuz...???
Growing up mid-century modern has me biased against straight-lines. I long for the curly-cues of Rococo & whimsy of Gothic Revival. All on a thrift store budget, of course.
The New Traditional seems to be less fussy than Traditional. And all historical period are accepted including a nod to 50's mid-century modern. The bedside table looks alot like pieces by Barbara Barry. These rooms are not possible on an AT budget.
I like the first pic but none of the other pictures are all that interesting or original. Maybe that's the point of new traditional (which I do like by the way). Maybe new traditional is to harken back to a more fussy and detailed design era but without all the striving and pretension.
@ urbancricket: See, that was short, sweet and informative :)
In even fewer words: Take pretty antiques, lighten up colors and materials, make sure your chic doesn't look shabby or (gasp!) effortless, don't paint natural wood, and stick your tongue in cheek as far as you can to avoid having your space look like your grandma's. Ta-dam.
I'm renting a fairly large but very old home and want to redo the living room. The problem is that I'm blind and have never given much thought to quote styles before. I don't seem to fit into any of the catagories I've read about. I want warm and comfortable furniture that's easy to care for but I hate clutter since it means more stuff to break and clean. I like cleared tables with just a few treasured items. I sort of think I'm a combination of country or traditional and contemporary... I'm not even sure if that's possible. I'd like to find some help to get some ideas while I save up for new furniture and window treatments.
here is a more in depth interview with Jeff: http://aphrochic.blogspot.com/2011/04/style-talk-jeff-andrews.html