Monday, July 26, 2010

Juliana Daniel Antiques

Traditions is blessed to be next door to Juliana Daniels Antiques. This eclectic collection of the past's treasures is run by Julie and Danny Greenburg, hence the name Juliana Daniels.

Juliana's is the best places in Wichita to discover fine but affordable antique furniture and vintage accessories. "Owners Juliana and Daniel Greenberg love antiques, but they also have an eye for the unique and whimsical." Juliana has an eye for design. There is the blue room, with its turn of the century furniture, the white room with vintage clothing, and upstairs, the man room where one finds all sorts of sporting memorabilia. Somewhere there is a treasure waiting to be discovered.

This is not their real store. Rather, it is an imaginary scene, as if the store was in Colmar, France. It is not a far stretch of the imagination. Entering Juliana Daniels is a trip through time and space, where one finds a little piece of France or a hundred other exotic locations.

Visit Juliana Daniel online and let your imagination take flight.

Friday, July 23, 2010

The roosters are back in style!



Remember in the early 90's when roosters were all the country rage? Well, their back! This time they are not just country. They can be used in many different design schemes. It's likely that what brought the rooster back was a surge in country French design and the country French style creeping into eclectic design. The French have always loved roosters as well as Americans, but while Americans see roosters as farm animals, the French look at them a little different. To the French, roosters are a sign of hope and faith as well as power, kind of like the eagle in the United States. This new rooster that has become popular is not just a farm animal. He is our prestigious, cheese and wine loving fine feathered friend. So, next time you see a rooster, don't curse the early 90's, just buy him, take him home and put him near your wine cabinet. Below are a few photographs of some new roosters.

Monday, July 19, 2010

What is your style? A mini-style guide:

Traditional style

If you love traditional style, you are the kind of person that enjoys elegance and old world luxury. Vintage pieces like guilded mirrors and furniture with scrolling catch your eye. Warm soothing deep colors tend to be your go to's. Sophisticated floral patterns, toile and tapestry get you excited. 


Eclectic style


If you call your style eclectic, you have a love and respect for many different styles. You love to mix them together to create a space that feels comfortable and artsy. Antiques of all types modern and traditional are what you love. You also have an appreciation for modern furniture as well. You are probably a collector and know how to blend different items and make it look great.



Contemporary style

 Minimal, sleek and clean is your mantra. Strong bold geometric patterns attract you. You like clean and simple lines, bold colors and materials such as stainless steel, slate and glass.



Country/French

Country french lovers have a Passion for rustic but fresh at the same time. Old paint finishes but bright floral patterns mixed together. If you are a country lover you will probably be into farm animals such a roosters and pigs.



Friday, July 16, 2010

Rococo inspiration

Rococo also called "Late Baroque" is an 18th century style which developed as Baroque artists reacted against symmetry. The style fit a world that literally was turned on its end with revolution and political thought. Voltaire, Rousseau, Benjamin Franklin, the American Revolution, followed by the French Revolution and Napoleon, the world had revolved into new world of thought.

Increasingly artists used designs that were more ornate, florid, and playful. Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art. Furniture was elegant and ornate. Decorative arts included small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings. Rococo style took pleasure in asymmetry, a taste new to European style. The French called the practice of leaving elements unbalanced for effect "contraste". Today, we would say, vive le difference, and imagine Liberace at the piano.

At Traditions you can find tons of beautiful Rococo inspired furniture. Below are some examples of a few of the pieces we offer. You can use these pieces to add a little Rococo inspiration to your room!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The ABC's of Life

Shopping can be life changing.

For example, this timely message will tell you all you need to know in order to find happiness in life. Accept differences, be kind, count your blessings, dream, ... yearn for peace, and zealously support a worthy cause - all are positive thoughts to live by. These are the ABC's of Life.

The sign measures approximately 12 x 17 inches and is made of crushed resin that give the sign the look and feel of marble with gold lettering. These invaluable words of wisdom are priceless, but the sign is sold everyday at Traditions Home for $38. Email us if you would like us to ship it to your home or office. A small shipping fee will apply.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Don't stress! Buy destressed! How to own a destressed piece without the work.

Traditions offers distressed furniture!!
Distressing furniture at home is a HUGE job! Who has time to do that? Traditions offers many lines of furniture that include distressed pieces.  These unique pieces can transform your room from plain to dramatic and even exotic. Distressed furniture can go in so many design directions its hard to name them all. Some of these design themes include country, country French, old world, shabby chic and even modern. Below are some examples of different distressed pieces and ways to use them in your decor.



Thursday, July 8, 2010

How amazing is FLW? How can you incorporate the look of Frank Lloyd Wright in your home? Read on...


Why the continued fascination with Wright almost 50 years after his death? 

Architect/interior designer Constance Ramos (http://www.constanceramos.com) thinks his style endures because of its contemporary, organic lines. "My dad, also an architect, was a great Frank Lloyd Wright fan and that rubbed off on me," she says. "Wright was really searching and finding the design of American democracy. And he had these amazing people who followed him and still carry out his work and philosophy. So Wright is still everywhere, and he's still relevant."

Wright was arguably one of the most multi-talented people of the 20th century, according to interior designer Mark McCauley, ASID. "Not only did he help create and define the Prairie School style — open floor plans, horizontal lines, a nod to nature — that is still popular today, he also designed everything from furniture and textiles to lighting and accessories," says the author of Interior Design for idiots (http://businesswebsites101.com/idiots).

Wright was born in Wisconsin and worked for decades in Chicago, but his buildings are elsewhere like Hollywood (private homes), Tokyo (The Imperial Hotel) and New York City (The Guggenheim Museum). His work in Kansas City includes  Clarence Sondern Home, 1940, the  Russell and Ruth Kraus House, 1946 - 1951, and the the Frank Bott House Kansas City 1956.

 

Traditions Furniture offers Stickley Furniture, a line that goes perfectly with the style of Frank Lloyd Wright's.
Clean lines and pureness of function make the Stickley Mission Collection truly timeless, and the look is as appropriate in today's homes as it was over a century ago when Gustav Stickley and his brothers began the American Arts and Crafts Movement. Possessing a distinguished pedigree yet uniquely modern, Mission furniture makes itself at home in every room of the house, telling the world that you appreciate sophisticated comfort and solid craftsmanship.


Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The New Modern

At Traditions Furniture we like to say that what is both new and classic becomes a "tradition".

Traditions don't need to be old. Think of a wedding as a new tradition, a new way of looking at life and starting anew. Your style reflects your tastes.

The "new modern" look is both clean and classic. The style reflects a more contemporary feeling. The table is round and set for company. The chairs are comfortable. The furnishings are classic.

Glassware has been manufactured for over two thousand years. Its translucence gives the illusion of space and airiness. Ironware has been manufactured far longer. It suggests strength and longevity.

The geometric shapes of the room provide balance and symmetry. It is a "feng shui" thing bringing harmony to your home. Whether your taste is modern or traditional, our designers can help make your home a new classic.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

The Fourth of July

All Americans come together on the Fourth of July to celebrate.



We may disagree politically and philosophically on many issues, but we can all agree that it is through our united efforts that America has become the great nation that it is. In this spirit let us remember the sacrifices of those who have preceded us, as well as those who now are risking their lives to continue our freedoms, and join together to celebrate a great people and nation.



President Barack Obama's Fourth of July Address:
On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

We invite all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday, America!

More history