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WHAT IS TRANSITIONAL STYLE

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There are many design styles. Contemporary, traditional, Farmhouse or French Country just to name a few. But I would say that my home is decorated with transitional style decor.  I thought I’d talk a bit about what transitional decor is and what it means to have a transitional home style. 

 

 

WHAT DOES “TRANSITIONAL STYLE” MEAN?

Transitional style combines so many types of designs all at the same time! It’s eclectic, to say the least, but there are some design styles that shine through.  It is a little contemporary and a little traditional. Transitional decor is a balance of classic decor with a fresh bit of style and function. It is the perfect marriage of home decor styles that are tried and true.

The beauty of transition style is its foundation is rooted in classic decor. Things that are timeless and do not easily go out of style. And this is what makes transitional decor so so appealing to me. I love the longevity of this style. So I don’t mind investing in classic pieces of furniture. 

And the other wonderful thing about transitional style is it can always be kept fresh with more trendy items.   

A great way to think of transitional style is to think classic with a contemporary twist plus another decor style or two thrown in. And I bet this style defines many of you!

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TRANSITIONAL STYLE 

  • A neutral and tone on tone color palette (creams, taupe, grays and a splash of black)
  • Different textures and fabrics
  • Simple decor with minimal accessories
  • Using items that may have been used for another function in the past (like galvanized trays)
  • Classic furnishings with simple lines and not too many curves 
  • Mirrored, glass and metallic furnishings and decor
  • Use art sparingly

EXAMPLES OF TRANSITIONAL STYLE IN MY HOME

Here are a few ideas of how I use transitional style in my home.  Notice the balance of classic with classic design.  Clean lines and textures are plentiful, too! 

 

My living room is transitional style all the way! Classic foundational furnishings… sofa,  spindle chairs, coffee table, and end tables. The lamps and the curtains are classically designed too. But I added just a touch of whimsy in the Curlacue chest and the funky flower chair. And with a big trendy clock, fiddleleaf fig plant, and sisal rug. 

But the big surprise in this room is how I used a classic hide rug to add a big punch of style! Layering rugs is a great way to add transitional styling to a home!

10 WAYS TO KICK UP CLASSIC DECOR- Classic decor can be kicked up with a little sass and fun! Keep classic decor interesting! Here's how!

 

 

Most of the time I keep my pillows pretty classic too because I like to pile them on my sofa! For the summer I added a pop of trendy yellow but in a very classic motif! This is a great design secret! Use trendy color as an accent but keep it from looking too out of place by incorporating it into a classic style!

My dining room is the most mix and match room in our home. Lot’s of classic styling with a little unexpected twist!

Classic chandy, mirror, art on the left wall, wing chairs, table (albeit, concrete), curtains, and buffet. Even the rug is an updated classic. Did you notice the wainscoting on the walls? Oh, so classic! Even the arched windows are classic. 

So this roo does not look too stuffy I added a burlap lampshade to a mercury glass lamp, put a bench covered with a dropcloth in front of the table, leaned subway art on the wainscoting, put an oversized clock on the wall between the windows,  used chippy shutters and chamber pot lids flanking the gilded mirror to make it look less formal .

Not seen in this image is a sleek black bar cart with a mirrored top. It’s decorated with fun bar-type elements.

Note to self…I really need to paint the tray ceiling a soft neutral! 


 

Now raise your hand if you think your home is TRANSITIONAL? I bet lots of hands just went up!!!! 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. I love your decorating style. I want my living room to look like yours! Where did you get your coffee table and end tables?

    Reply

    • Hi Jo Ann, the coffee table came from Ethan Allen. I’m going to do something VERY interesting to it soon. And no I’m not painting it!!!! So did the end tables. I hope this helps.

      Reply

  2. My hand shot up. And, I owe it all to you, Yvonne. You have taught me well. Rooms are much more neutral, with splashes of seasonal color. Lots of neutral textures, like throws and pillows, plus faux and real organics. Best compliment received yesterday, when sweet friend brought yummy soup, as I broke my shoulder. She commented that my house was so pretty. Still basking in that, and thankful to be recuperating with you and all the delightful Spring blogs, old and new. God is good. You brighten my day.

    Reply

  5. I always enjoy seeing the rooms of StoneGable….they are always fresh, cheerful, elegant and you can feel the warmth in each image…I can honestly say through experiencing those rooms, that the photos do not do them justice…

    Reply

  6. I like your home very much. It’s a little dressy but still cozy and welcoming. How do you decide on the types of accessories to bring into to each room? Do you ever bring in family photos or mementos?

    Reply

    • Hi Shelly, thanks! I try to keep my accessories a bit trendy in warm tones. The fun part of accessories is they can be switched out and replaced! And YES display your family photos. I don’t in the downstairs living area because I’m constantly taking pictures. And my children don’t like their babies to be on the blog.

      Reply

  7. We are doing some updates to our 25 year old colonial. We have a classic cherry sleigh bed and matched gentlemen’s armoire and a mirrored dresser and side table. They are about 15 years old and I know bedrooms are now a more eclectic collection instead of matchy, matchy. We still like our furniture so in addition to a new mattress we have all new lighting – 5 lighting sources, ranging from a pair of transitional lamps on the dresser, a lamp on the nightstand, and a more contemporary styled accent lamp on the armoire. We also added a more contemporary reading light and new alarm clock to a new brushed brass and glass night table on the other side of the bed. Our bedding is solid ivory in color with some Pottery Barn accent pillows. Our lighting and other decor pieces have a touch of brushed gold. These more transitional touches have updated the room, and it all works.

    Reply

  8. I thought I was transitional but now I’m not sure. My sofas have a camel back and rolled arms but are covered in a pale taupe leather. My colours are taupe, cream and some bronze for contrast. My decorations are big. Not a bunch of littles cluttering up my coffee table, mantel or console. Am I traditional or transitional, Yvonne?

    Reply

    • Sounds like you need to take my decorating course, Joanna! New Traditional and Transitional have so much decor crossover. If your home is Traditional plus Contemporary Plus something else it is Transitional. It’s sorta (very loosely defined) as updated eclectic.

      Reply

  9. Thank you, Yvonne, for finally helping me identify my style of decorating! For a long time, I have tried to fit my style into one or more categories that look something like my home and style, but none of them seemed quite right for me. I have a French Provencial dining room set, coffee table, and end tables. My sofa is more on the modern side, although it is probably 15 years old now (a Craigslist purchase I love). I love French street scenery prints, and quirky modern art. Now I can see that I’m not confused, just Transitional! Thanks again for clarifying this style for me. I don’t feel so out of fashion any longer.

    Reply

  10. Yvonne, I took your advice and purchased your sissal rug! I cannot wait to get it! I am going to use it on my hardwood floor in my Master Bedroom! I’m very excited. I will try to email you some pictures! Thanks for the encouragement!

    Blessings,
    ❤Beth

    Reply

  11. Hi Yvonne, I have enjoyed and learned from your post for years. Thank you for that. I was enjoying your traditional post and noticed the lovely sisal rugs you have. May I ask where you purchased them?
    Thank You,
    Rebecca

    Reply

    • It is real hide so just like any animal you can rinse off stains. My cat ( who NEVER has an accident) for some reason had an accident on this rug and we took the rug out, shook off the mess and rinsed the rest off.
      Hope this helps.

      Reply

  14. I love your style, Yvonne! May I ask where you got your X-back chairs in the dining room and entry?

    Reply

  15. I have been changing my home to a more transitional look as well – I think the word that comes to mind is “freedom”. Freedom to make change, freedom to add a fresh new look, and freedom to add more personal touches to our homes. I love your suggestions. We just replaced our older leather club chairs in the family room with a more contemporary pair of leather chairs in a darker walnut color and no big rolled arms. They updated the family room big time. I eliminated our S-Bent ladder back dining chairs and in their place put in parsons chairs with slipcovers. I love the clean lines – transitional is not fussy, and I love that.

    Reply

  16. Raising my hand! My home is transitional all the way. I’d say the rooms are 70-80% traditional with pops of modern, chinoiserie, French, and even farmhouse. It’s amazing how all the different styles can come together, isn’t it? Love that you have this conversation going. Thanks so much. Susie from The Chelsea Project

    Reply