I Want That Transitional Look!
What you want: Everything! And why not? The transitional look gives you the elegance and timeless beauty of traditional style with the simpler, sleeker forms of contemporary design. The effect is a living space that is classic enough for holiday dinners and a casual, comfy place to kick back with friends and chill. Creating your transitional look has never been easier, since you can mix and match traditional and contemporary items, or buy 'transitional' pieces that already combine the best of both worlds!
Colors: Use neutral tones to create a soothing atmosphere, with plenty of light beiges and creams. For drama, insert some rich browns, and rely on your accessories to round out the composition.
Use a subdued color base and accent with patriotic colors or other bright hues.
Floor: The same theory of blending traditional and contemporary elements applies to your choice of rugs. Floral patterns easily straddle both styles, ranging from stylized modern designs to classic representations found on Persian rugs. Braided rugs in subdued tones are also acceptable. Find a wide inventory of rug styles here
Lighting: Transitional lighting avoids overworked metals and opulent decoration. However, it's not as stark and simple as some contemporary fixtures, which may only have a single halogen bulb behind a frosted cube, for instance. Most transitional lighting employs metals like steel and iron, and the shapes are curved and definite, but avoid crossing the line to a web of intricate knots, loops and curlicues. An expansive selection of transitional pendants, vanities and chandeliers can be found on GREENCulture's website.
Straddle the line between traditional and contemporary with a wide variety of styles like the Caldwell Chandelier, the Davu Chandelier and the Wynn Chandelier.
Furniture: Pick out furniture that is sturdier in dimension than contemporary pieces, but lacks the sometimes oppressive proportions of traditional items. Juxtapose traditional curves with contemporary straight edges. Avoid anything that may seem "overdone" or too formal, shying away from elaborate carvings and sticking with unfussy ornamentation. If something seems too "cold" and modern, move on to something that imparts more warmth and comfort.
Accents: Simplicity is the key! Upholstery and drapes can add color and texture to the neutral tone of the room. Think about incorporating chenille and microfibers. Patterns can range from solid colors to flowing designs. Keep knick-knacks to a minimum and fill space with black and silver frames or delicate floral compositions in a vase.
