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How to Recognize the Gentleman Traditionalist (TSOS) Interior Design Style Personality

Let your masculine energy shine with this traditional interior design personality type and learn about the TSOS style.

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you were transported back in time, but you felt perfectly at ease? That’s the magic of TSOS – The Gentleman Traditionalist. This style personality is all about timeless elegance and refined sophistication.

Gentleman Traditionalists love to create spaces that are steeped in tradition and rich history, while still managing to feeling fresh and modern. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the TSOS style personality as outlined in our 8×2 personality system and explore some key characteristics that define the Gentleman Traditionalist style personality.


Style Key

Style Personality Key: TSOS – Traditional/Saturated/Ornamental/Solid

Style Key Words: Classic/Bold/Dark/Rich/Ornamental/Detailed/Textured

This collection of images serves as a good reference for a number of interiors that fall under the gentle traditionalist category. The architecture and furniture is mostly classical or traditional in nature, with a bold color palette and a clean, un-patterned aesthetic. The result is a little more restrained than the pure traditional style, which is heavy on pattern.

Key Characteristics of The Gentleman Traditionalist Style:

Architectural Elements: Classic (at least 60% traditional architectural elements throughout)

Overall Color Palette: Bold, rich and dark tones (at least 60% saturated color throughout)

Furnishings and Decor Profile: Classic and refined (at least 60% traditional furniture overall)

Soft finishes characteristics: Textured fabrics with solid and low emphasis on pattern (at least 60% non patterned appearance overall)


What’s in a Name? – Why This Style Is Called the “Gentleman Traditionalist”

The defining characteristics of this style is a) traditional architecture, b) saturated colors, c) classical furniture and d) a general lack of pattern.

While a lack of emphasis on patterns in an interior can lend to either masculine or feminine aesthetics, we feel that the solid and pattern-less tendency of this personality type tends toward a more masculine air when compared with the patterned nature of the neighboring style TSOP. Both are predominantly traditional styles, but feel differently about pattern.

After researching the type of rooms that tend to fall into this category we found that many gentleman’s clubs and country estates tend to fit the bill. Case closed!


The Gentleman Traditionalist 8×2 interior design style personality is all about creating a space that exudes timeless elegance and refined sophistication. This category of decorators loves classic architectural elements such as wainscoting, coffered ceilings, and crown molding. They believe that these elements are the foundation of any space, and add a sense of history and tradition.

When it comes to color, The Gentleman Traditionalist prefers bold, rich and dark tones such as navy, deep green, and burgundy. They use these colors to create a sense of warmth and richness in their space. They may also incorporate metallic finishes such as brass or gold to add a touch of glamour and luxury.



In terms of furnishings and decor, The Gentleman Traditionalist prefers classic and refined pieces that have a timeless quality to them. They often opt for quality over quantity and are willing to invest in pieces that will last for years to come. They may incorporate antique or vintage pieces into their space, adding a sense of history and character. Club chairs, wing chairs and chesterfield sofas are all great examples of the type of features that make this style masculine and “gentlemanly”.

When it comes to soft finishes, including paneling and upholstery, The Gentleman Traditionalist loves textured fabrics such as leather, velvet or wool. They also appreciate intricate details such as tufting or nailhead trim. They believe that these types of details add a quality of depth and richness to a space. Craftsmanship is important to this style.


Some existing interior design styles which often fall into this category include:

The English country interior design style

The Art Deco interior design style

The Regency interior design style



Examples of famous interiors in this style

Greenwich Village and Flatiron NYC Hotel Bars


Final Thoughts

The Gentleman Traditionalist interior personality is all about creating a space that feels timeless and elegant, while still feeling fresh and modern. Proponents of this style value quality and craftsmanship, and believe that every piece in their space should have a sense of history and character. If you’re looking to create a space that exudes timeless elegance and refined sophistication, look no further than The Gentleman Traditionalist.



We hope you enjoyed learning about The Gentleman Traditionalist interior design personality type. Remember, understanding your style personality is the key to creating a space that truly reflects your unique taste and personality. By using the 8×2 Style method, you can identify the key characteristics that define your style personality and use them to create a space that is uniquely you.

Happy styling!

–Vonsassy

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