So you like the minimalist, Scandinavian vibe but you love the lived-in feeling of your grandparent’s antiques. Going to either extreme end of the design spectrum, contemporary or traditional, would make your home feel inauthentic to you.
Well, good news: there’s a happy design medium just for you. Transitional design is the perfect style for homeowners torn between the old and the new.
What Is Transitional Design?
Transitional design is a combination of traditional and contemporary design. Though it’s a blend of two major schools of thought, transitional design shouldn’t be confused with eclectic design. While eclectic styling is purposefully hodge-podge in nature, transitional design has some specific rules.
“Timeless, with a modern twist” is one way to describe the style that takes the warmth and comfort of traditional design and combines it with the clean lines and neutral colorways of modern design.
Transitional Design Principles
Neutral colorways
Grays, tans, warm whites
Darker, rich accent colors
Browns, emerald green, royal blue, violet, gold
Diverse, rich fabrics
Suede, tweed, corduroy, velvet, chenille
Large plush furnishings with clean lines
Minimal, purposeful accessorizing
Transitional Design Principles By Room
Transitional Kitchen: The dark, handsome color of the island grounds the space while the gold accents of the hardware and light fixtures provide a classic, vintage flair. Uber modern bright white cabinets are toned down next to natural wood and classic flooring.
Transitional Dining Room: The overall color palette is light and airy, grounded by a dark wooden table. The dining chairs have a vintage vibe but are covered with a functional fabric. The accessories are minimal and purposeful and the houndstooth rug is a subtle juxtaposition of fancy and funky.
Transitional Living Room: With an overall neutral color palette, this living room has subtle pops of color in its accessories. The furniture is plush like your grandmother’s but designed with clean contemporary lines. The light fixture had an old world vibe with a contemporary application.
Transitional Bedroom: A monochromatic color palette is juxtaposed with the rich color and fabric of the area rug. The crown molding and the light fixtures provide old world warmth while the squared headboard, picture frame, and chair push back with a contemporary influence.
