Modern vs. Traditional: Choosing the Right Interior Style
Modern vs. Traditional: Choosing the Right Interior Style
July 18, 2025
When remodeling your home in Los Angeles, one of the first design questions that comes up is: Should we go modern or traditional?
The city is rich with architectural diversity—Spanish Colonial homes in Hancock Park, Mid-Century gems in the Hills, grand Mediterranean estates in Beverly Hills—and no two remodels are alike. At the WARREN, we help clients find clarity and confidence in their design direction by asking the right questions and balancing taste with lifestyle.
Here’s how to think through the choice—and why the answer doesn’t always have to be one or the other.
1. Start with the Architecture
We always begin by looking at the bones of the home. A 1920s Spanish Revival may call for arched doorways, hand-troweled plaster, and warm materiality. A sleek Trousdale mid-century might lean into clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and indoor-outdoor flow.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the original style—but honoring a home’s architectural DNA often results in the most thoughtful and timeless transformations.
Image from our Garden Gove Project , a 1955 home brimming with character
2. Consider How You Want to Live
Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how you want to feel in your home.
Do you gravitate toward minimal, airy spaces with modern finishes? Or are you more inspired by layered textures, antique pieces, and classic architectural detailing?
At the WARREN, we help you uncover what feels most natural to you, and design for longevity—not just trends.
3. Understand the Spectrum
“Modern” and “traditional” aren’t fixed categories. There’s a wide range of expression within each—and a beautiful space often blends both.
You might want modern lighting and clean-lined furniture set within a more traditional envelope. Or perhaps you love traditional millwork but want to pair it with bold color, contemporary art, or graphic tile. The goal is to find a balance that feels curated, not conflicting.
Image from our Chapel Cove project, clients came to us craving color, pattern, comfort and ease.
4. Think Long-Term
While trends come and go, a well-balanced design ages gracefully. A remodel is an investment—both in your lifestyle and your home’s value. We design homes with a forward-thinking approach, layering classic elements with a fresh sensibility so your space evolves beautifully over time.
5. Your Style Can Be Both
Many of our Los Angeles clients are drawn to modern-traditional hybrids—a clean foundation with character, restraint with moments of drama. Think:
- Crisp white walls paired with vintage rugs
- Classic paneling offset by sculptural furniture
- Streamlined kitchens with unlacquered brass and artisan tile
This is where the WARREN’s expertise shines: editing, refining, and blending styles in a way that feels effortless and deeply personal.
Image from our Plymouth project
Ready to Define Your Style?
Whether you’re remodeling a 1930s Spanish home or updating a dated hillside property, our team helps you find the right design language—one that honors your home’s character while creating a space that’s entirely your own.
We’d love to help you reimagine your home with confidence, creativity, and lasting impact.
When remodeling your home in Los Angeles, one of the first design questions that comes up is: Should we go modern or traditional?
The city is rich with architectural diversity—Spanish Colonial homes in Hancock Park, Mid-Century gems in the Hills, grand Mediterranean estates in Beverly Hills—and no two remodels are alike. At the WARREN, we help clients find clarity and confidence in their design direction by asking the right questions and balancing taste with lifestyle.
Here’s how to think through the choice—and why the answer doesn’t always have to be one or the other.
1. Start with the Architecture
We always begin by looking at the bones of the home. A 1920s Spanish Revival may call for arched doorways, hand-troweled plaster, and warm materiality. A sleek Trousdale mid-century might lean into clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and indoor-outdoor flow.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the original style—but honoring a home’s architectural DNA often results in the most thoughtful and timeless transformations.
Image from our Garden Gove Project , a 1955 home brimming with character
2. Consider How You Want to Live
Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how you want to feel in your home.
Do you gravitate toward minimal, airy spaces with modern finishes? Or are you more inspired by layered textures, antique pieces, and classic architectural detailing?
At the WARREN, we help you uncover what feels most natural to you, and design for longevity—not just trends.
3. Understand the Spectrum
“Modern” and “traditional” aren’t fixed categories. There’s a wide range of expression within each—and a beautiful space often blends both.
You might want modern lighting and clean-lined furniture set within a more traditional envelope. Or perhaps you love traditional millwork but want to pair it with bold color, contemporary art, or graphic tile. The goal is to find a balance that feels curated, not conflicting.
Image from our Chapel Cove project, clients came to us craving color, pattern, comfort and ease.
4. Think Long-Term
While trends come and go, a well-balanced design ages gracefully. A remodel is an investment—both in your lifestyle and your home’s value. We design homes with a forward-thinking approach, layering classic elements with a fresh sensibility so your space evolves beautifully over time.
5. Your Style Can Be Both
Many of our Los Angeles clients are drawn to modern-traditional hybrids—a clean foundation with character, restraint with moments of drama. Think:
- Crisp white walls paired with vintage rugs
- Classic paneling offset by sculptural furniture
- Streamlined kitchens with unlacquered brass and artisan tile
This is where the WARREN’s expertise shines: editing, refining, and blending styles in a way that feels effortless and deeply personal.
Image from our Plymouth project
Ready to Define Your Style?
Whether you’re remodeling a 1930s Spanish home or updating a dated hillside property, our team helps you find the right design language—one that honors your home’s character while creating a space that’s entirely your own.
We’d love to help you reimagine your home with confidence, creativity, and lasting impact.
July 18, 2025
