February Journal: Transitional Design

Feb. 20 - Written by Alexandra East

Welcome to our February Journal! In this months journal we want to bring about the concept of transitional design: the perfect blend of modern style and traditional design.

The question we hear most often is how do we design a home that both stays current to trends and is curated to fit the clients aesthetic.

The answer to that question is always following a transitional design style. A successful transitional style blends new modern aesthetics with timeless traditional pieces.

With new design trends emerging every week and others getting kicked to the curb, transitional design features more linear furniture pieces with a blend of softer curves throughout accent pieces. It is a style that invites comfort and functionality over the ornate pieces that are commonly found in strictly modern designs.

What about transitional design allows it is stay in style? To answer simply, transitional design remains in style because it is a foundation style that can be layered and blended with other styles. While many styles box you into a specific set of rules, transitional design is a blend of styles which allows you to play around with different styles, textures, and patterns.

Traditional style dates back to the early 1700s and 1800s with large roots in European cultures specifically French and English countryside design. This style often features elements of drastic crown molding, ornate rugs, farmhouse elements, and chandeliers. In the early 20th century, to combat traditional styles, many architects began to create designs that are now known as mid century modern which took a much more minimalist approach to design.

The beauty of transitional design is that it takes the best elements of whatever design styles you love and blends them to create a sophisticated look that never ages. It often features more neutral color palettes, organic textures which a focus on layering, comfortable furniture that blends linear features with softer curves, and statement lighting.

When building your transitional home, try to find commonalities throughout each piece you choose whether its in color, texture, or pattern. And most importantly, have fun!