Transitional design style brings together traditional and contemporary elements with a focus on comfort and soft elegance.  That for me is where the “rules” stop.  Here are examples of five fabulous room designs that adhere to the basic “rules” but bend others while creating fabulous apartment spaces to live in.    

The strong dark walls in these images depart from the “rules” to just use a subtle color palette, such as beige, cream, khaki, tan and taupe.  Note too how in this first image radiant orchid (the 2014 Pantone color pick) is brought into color scheme with an actual blooming orchid.  Visual lines of upholstered furnishings are straight but soften with curves on the corners.  The tufted chairs and contemporary crystal chandelier reference traditional designs.  A beautiful dark hardwood floor is warmed by the contrast of the white shag area rug; and accent pieces are statements in themselves.

The cool and comforting blue in this room design dominates the color palette.  It reflects on the location of the apartment:  Florida’s perpetual blue sky.  You can easily identify traditional and contemporary elements that make this apartment sitting room transitional from the simplistic window treatment to the visual plane of furnishings to casters on the tables.

Here’s an excellent example of a transitional style living room that successfully bends the “rules.”  Gray taupe in varying shades of medium and dark create a rich neutral canvas.  It’s then punctuated with deep yellow and gold colors taken from one dramatic artwork on the wall.  White offers a gentle refrain.  Note too the patterns on the chairs and drapery valance are very pronounced but is then anchored with the smaller, subtle pattern of the area rug.  I simply love the gentle elegance of this room.

The ivory and violet color palette against the white in this bedroom illustrates how other colors fit perfectly well in a transitional design scheme.  Such traditional elements as the dark wood tables and hardwood floor; symmetrical placement of the tables and lamps; crown moldings and accent moldings on the heat register cover; updated traditional headboard and frame; and the box valance added to the drapery window treatment all reference traditional designs.  Contemporary elements are found in how these elements are interpreted for today’s design taste, as well as the contemporary painting and its frame.

By far, this next bedroom is a real stretch from the common description of what is the transitional style.  But the traditional elements are found in the tufted furnishings; updated chaise lounge (do see my post on The Case For A Chaise Lounge); crown window molding; and sunburst mirror.  While elements, also found in the updated traditional ones, can be identified in the simple window drapery treatment; contemporary painting; contemporary colors; and the beautiful silver accent pillow styles with simple welt treatment.  The plush bedscape and throw are indicative to both design styles. 

Not sure if your style is transitional?  Didn’t think it was the style for you because you thought it was bland and boring?   As with any style, knowing which one fits your taste and lifestyle is the first step.  Then know where and how to bend the “rules” becomes easy.  Hopefully, these five examples captured your curiosity.  For more information on this style, see Part II 13 Reasons Why I Love Transitional Style.

By the way, what is your style?  Would love to hear from you, so please do tell!

I know exactly when it happened:  a hot summer day in August 1998.  That particular day I had experienced a three-hour long hot commute from DC to my town home in Northern Virginia.  A car and truck accident had occurred on Interstate 95. 

When I finally walked in the door to my home, my eyes fell on a jewel-toned burgundy and royal blue flowery sofa and two low-sitting burgundy slipper chairs.  In the adjoining dinning room, a highly polished dark cherry Queene Anne dining table with shapely cabriole legs and matching chairs shinned back at me.  

The misery of that long hot commute intensified in my blood and I felt old and tired.  Thus, began a five-year road-winding decorating project.  It covered browsing and reading countless magazines and books on decorating filled with glossy-page examples of decor styles written in adjective laden language; and even more countless hours of online searches.  I had made frequent and periodic trips to one furniture store after another; and fabric and home decor stores. 

Have you been on that road?  I had a huge yard sale, moved to a single family home and simply started over. Okay, that was a bit extreme!  But haven’t you ever felt that way:  get rid of your furniture and start over?  I later retired and have now downsized–yep, downsized–to an apartment with plans to push my transitional style even more.  That’s why I’m here to tell you the reason I love transitional decor style.

Traditional  + Contemporary = Transitional

In the transitional style, you get the best of both design worlds.

Did you think transitional style was boring?  Did you read the article on (it will remain nameless) that stated twice, transitional style is a lack of color!   

1.  COLOR

Regardless of what style you love, I suggest when you see the style, color is the first thing that strikes you–even if experienced subconsciously. 

Warm neutral colors (and these are legitimate colors) are used abundantly in the transitional style; that is, primarily creme, taupe, khaki and grey.  Black and dark brown, such as espresso are fabulous for punching in a contrasting accent color.  And this is true if you want to add some other color, such as the yellow found in that stylish bedroom above.  Contrary to what was stated in that nameless article, neutral colors are not entirely without “color” but carry an undertone or hue of another color.  Creme has a yellow hue.  Taupe has a brown or gray shade, depending upon the amount of black pigmentation.  

A traditional palette includes those colors, as well as beige and tan.  Deeper colors of red, green and blue are also found in the traditional.  While, contemporary includes an abundance of white and a more monochromatic scheme.

Neutral colors make us feel relaxed.  Need I say more.  

2.  STRONG LINES AND SOFT CURVES 

Lines are cleanly defined but where curved, the shape is soft and rounded like “simple silhouettes.”  

Dear heaven, I do so love the cool, sophisticated grey and blue in this next room.  Can you just see yourself sinking into that velvet sofa and forgetting about the world?  I can.  Just give me a book too.  Warmth in the room is captured in the red of the carpet and draperies. Yellow is a happy color and its rich hue stands out in the lamps.  There’s lots of interest to capture your attention in the wall gallery and the tulips(?) simply seals the deal for making this a stylish and comforting setting.

The image above shows an updated traditional sofa.  Note how the curved lines are more defined and the more plumpness of the seat cushions.

3.  FURNITURE DESIGNS HAVE CLEAN LINES  

With the exception of the last photo, as you can see from the examples above, transitional style incorporates “strong furniture; clean-lined pieces that have a sculptural air.”  You see that particularly in the example seatings and in the shapes of the cocktail and side tables below.  Both are contemporary pieces.

Note the mix of materials (wood and metal) found in the cocktail table.  The side table is a beautifully hammered brass.  Remember, transitional combines traditional and contemporary.  So please don’t confuse contemporary with transitional.  They are different although you will almost certainly read about them as being synonymous. They’re not.

4.  VARIETY OF MATERIAL FINISHES 

Again, as shown above, transitional brings together various types of materials found in both traditional and contemporary designs.  This would include an array of woods, such as walnut, cherry, mahogany and oak from the traditional style to chrome, steel, lacquer, glass, plastic and tile found in the contemporary style.   When combined, the warmth of the woods juxtaposes with the sleek, elegant appeal of glass and metal.  

The excitement now found in plastic or rather polyurethane is fabulously interpreted in translucent furniture pieces.  See my post on Designs That Fascinate:  Translucent Furniture.  

5.  CLEAN WALLS BUT NOT NECESSARILY BORING WALLS

It’s been suggested that a bank of art on a wall does not fall within the transitional style.  The image below contradicts that rule.  Tastefully done, and rules are often bent in such designs, a bank of art on the wall is stunning–and quite acceptable.

I love the presentation of one dramatic, stunning work of art on a wall.  It certainly meets the overall principle in transitional style that less is more.

6.  SIMPLE FLOORING

Transitional flooring follows the general color scheme of the room in selections of “natural woods, stone, tile, carpeting and more.”  Warmth and textural, however, adds additional interest.

As for me, I go straight to the hardwood and sisal department!!  While I do love oriental rugs, especially the antique ones or even a carpet piece, I’m happier with the layered look of medium to dark hardwood floor, a neutral taupe or beige sisal area rug, topped with a smaller white flokati rug.  Attention to this color palette and texture combination gives an air of elegance, glamour and softness.

There are seven more reasons why I love the transitional style and I will share them with you in Part 2. 

In the meantime, I would love to hear what is your style.  Oh, please do share!!  Even if you are shy, you can let me know if you found the post useful and informational with a like right here.

Sources for this post came from my 14 years of experience on the path to a transitional decor style and several articles and references:

• Three excellent articles written by Lisa Federick:  So Your Style is Traditional ; So Your Style is Contemporary ; and So Your Style is Transitional
• Wikipedia: Modern Furniture
• HGTV Transitional Style 101
• Home Decorators What’s Your Style?

To discover the remaining reasons, see my post Part II 13 Reasons Why I Love Transitional Style.