Details to Notice: Relaxed Traditional Style

I’m always interested to see how other people decorate their colonial houses and Mandy Eno’s relaxed traditional style is one of my personal favorites. I know she must meticulously pay attention to details, but the beautiful thing about her home (built in 1832) is how effortless it all looks. That’s really the best kind of decorating, isn’t it? She has created cozy spaces with a mix of antiques, casual slipcovers, lots of books, vintage art and layers of texture. Keep reading for some of my favorite details to notice.

• Instead of a heavy “buffet”, she kept things light by using a long console table in front of her dining room windows.
• Painting the window trim the same dark color really eliminates the need for drapes. It all just blends seamlessly.
• She used a simple but classic chandelier that runs parallel to the dining table. The backdrop of art between the windows and the gallery on the adjacent wall fills the space visually.
• I barely noticed that she mixed the dining chair styles. Keeping the wood tones the same gives it cohesiveness.

• She used a small accent chair to create a “moment” on what would otherwise be an unused wall. She stacked art (and that pretty turtle shell) to add height.
• Notice the small touches of fall displayed on top of the framed painting.
• I love this long table that she styles with each season. If you have the extra floor space, it’s a great addition to use interchangeably for styling vignettes, as a work table or as extra dining when needed.
• Add a little pattern to a solid slipcovered chair/sofa by folding and layering lightweight blankets over them.

• Lots of layered neutrals in the living room (rug, upholstery, pillows, shades) with color mostly added with cut branches.
• I like how she styled her coffee table by spreading out her book collection. I think I’ll give this a try today. (I also spent way too long on Etsy yesterday looking at lots of old matchbooks to display in a bowl.)
• Again, she skipped heavier, more formal windows treatments, instead painting the windows black and layering with bamboo shades.
• Notice how she added collections of art on each side of the windows behind the sofa.
• The layered rug is so subtle but adds just enough pattern.

• Always a fan of a dark den. The navy wall color is a perfect complement to the leather and wood tones.
• I love how all of it–walls, windows and wainscoting–is all the same color.
• The scale of the lamps is perfect in this room. Anything smaller would feel lost next to a large sectional.

See more of Mandy’s home on her Instagram.

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