Most people desire to live in homes that are stylish and reflective of their history and lifestyle. Purportedly, the most enduring and popular decorating styles are those based in tradition. If true, the roots of America's decorating heritage could be traced to American colonial design and architecture.

But wait a minute. The traditions of Americans come from diverse global origins. And not all traditional design is American. It can be English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Asian, etc. Most places from whence our citizens hail also have a traditional form of decor and furniture history. All of these traditions can be seen in one form or another in the variety of furnishing styles available in furniture stores today.

While most trends come and go, traditional design always seems to emerge as a style that is beautiful and full of versatility. Whether decorating a small condominium in a city or a rambling mansion in the suburbs, traditional interiors endure with elegance and ease. American traditional decor is mostly influenced by English furniture designs. Americans' love/hate relationship with all things English is most evident in our decor. An admiration for graceful designs, shapes and scale has been at the core of this infatuation. Over the years, true English details have evolved at the hands of local furniture designers to create new traditional designs more compatible with the scale of American homes.

Another appealing side to traditional design is the use of antiques and heirlooms, which can be comforting and heartwarming. There is always an opportunity to use some family history as we decorate. Some collectors find an enormous emotional appeal to antiques because of all their dents, nicks and scratches. They help tell a story. And in a world of mass-produced and "dispensable" furniture, particularly, antiques are a great way to embrace a sustainable way of life. Collections are perfect to use as decoration as long as you don't attempt to re-create a particular bygone era. Find ways to display select pieces on a Plexiglas pedestal or on a stack of books on top of a coffee table, or frame part of a collection in similar frames for a collage-type installation.

Traditional designs are also quite adaptable to today's lifestyles. They can be incorporated from "shabby chic" to "country" to "urban elegance." The combinations are endless, whether you are looking to closely follow a specific style or create your own version of traditional. Don't play it safe when decorating your home just so it has staying power. Decorate your home to please yourself. If you wish to add a trendy color or the latest "it" fabric, go ahead. This is one way to keep your traditional decor looking fresh and up to date.

Allow your lifestyle a bit of input into your decorating style. The way you entertain either for business or for pleasure is sure to influence your style. Other family activities and habits will affect your version of traditional decor. Learn from history, and embrace your future decor.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: at Unsplash