Choose Rich Wooden Tones

Natural wood is a material that frequently features in the decor of traditional living rooms, but you rarely see pale or blond woods. Instead, like in this living room by Charbonneau Interiors, wooden furniture and decor tend to be in dark and rich tones. Highly glossed dark wooden pieces are also a common feature.

Consider a Statement Light

Lighting can transform a classic living room by giving it a more luxurious look and feel like in this room by Thomas Guy Interiors. Cascading crystal chandeliers, candle style chandeliers and forged wrought iron lights can all create a tasteful impact.

Hang Some Historical Art

Historic art, whether landscapes, portraits, or still life, are very much at home in classic living spaces like in this living room by LeeAnn Baker Interiors.

Keep It Fresh

Traditional rooms like this one from Mosaic Architects don't speak to any specific age group and could belong to a family or couple, young or old.

Mix Elegance with Comfort

Although you occasionally see delicate armchairs in traditional living rooms, the emphasis when it comes to seating is really on comfortable, sit-back-and-relax pieces.

Highlight Exposed Beams

While it's normal to see a fair bit of color in traditional living rooms, an all-neutral space like this one is more than acceptable. And while a lot of frills and details are also often found in traditional rooms, they're not mandatory.

Focus on the Fireplace

Since traditional rooms rely on balance and symmetry, having such a distinct focal point to arrange furniture around is ideal.

Choose Rich Wooden Tones

Natural wood is a material that frequently features in the decor of traditional living rooms, but you rarely see pale or blond woods. Instead, like in this living room by Charbonneau Interiors, wooden furniture and decor tend to be in dark and rich tones. Highly glossed dark wooden pieces are also a common feature.

Choose Rich Wooden Tones

Natural wood is a material that frequently features in the decor of traditional living rooms, but you rarely see pale or blond woods. Instead, like in this living room by Charbonneau Interiors, wooden furniture and decor tend to be in dark and rich tones. Highly glossed dark wooden pieces are also a common feature.

Choosing the Right Chickens to Start Your Flock

Whether you’re considering raising chickens in your own backyard or have an established farm suitable for free range chickens, you’re probably wondering how to choose between the vast numbers of chicken breeds available. Beyond choosing whether you will raise chickens for eggs or meat, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before settling on a particular breed.

Choosing Your Sunflowers

Botanically speaking, the sunflower family includes annual types that live for a single season and perennials that come back year after year. But the classic, sturdy-stemmed, big-bloomed sunflowers that elevate farm-to-table bouquets are annuals with the botanical name Helianthus annuus. Say "sunflower" to most people, and annuals are the ones that come to mind. Their perennial relatives are pretty, but they don't deliver the big, gorgeous blooms that classic annual sunflowers do.

Sunflowers come in colors and sizes to suit every gardener and garden. Besides the timeless golden flowers, sunflower colors span the spectrum from pale ivory to russet red and nearly black, with centers that range from deep, dark chocolate to mustard yellow.

Some sunflower types offer one flower on each strong stem in a defined bloom time. Others offer branched stems with multiple blooms and extended bloom times. Depending on your tastes, you can choose from dwarf sunflowers ideal for urban balconies to giant sunflowers that tower 15 feet or more. In general, the taller the stalk, the bigger the flower on top.

If you're growing for stunning bouquets, pollen-free types won't drop pollen on your table. (And allergy sufferers in the family will appreciate them, too.) If you're looking to attract pollinators to your garden, only pollen-producing types will do. Not all modern sunflower varieties produce seeds, so if nurturing winter birds is your goal, choose varieties accordingly. And don't worry about kids, cats or dogs; annual sunflowers aren't toxic.1