Transitional Design: What It Is and How To Pull It Off

Transitional Design: What It Is and How To Pull It Off
Remodel of 1980s Home in Perth Is a Study in Contrasts
Computer Chip Inspires Design of Software Company’s Toronto Office

Posted: 26 Nov 2015 06:00 AM PST

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Transitional design refers to a room’s meshing of modern and traditional elements. Image Source: Clarum

We all know that transition means moving from one place or thing to another. But what does it mean in reference to interior design? The term “transitional design” is often used by interior designers to reflect a room’s meshing of modern and traditional elements — essentially, combining two styles in one space, resulting in a cohesive design.

Why should we care about transitional style? Because it’s a hot trend. Designers are seeing a drastic increase in the number of clients who want to toss the rules out the window and merge traditional elements (such as wainscoting or antique furniture) and modern, clean-lined furnishings.

This is no easy feat to pull off — but Freshome is here to help. Here’s a primer on transitional design, as well as tips on how to mix seemingly disparate styles into a look that works for you.

This transitional bedroom displays a mix of masculine and feminine details. Image Source: Amy Elbaum Designs

What Is Transitional Design?

As we touched upon, transitional design is a modern mix of classic and contemporary. You can think of it as simply a new take on an old classic, or a younger, more punchy version of traditional design. It’s especially popular among the millennial generation, as they want to venture out and create their own stamp.

Transitional design marries curved furnishings with straight-lined, lacquered finishes, resulting in a room that is equally masculine and feminine in nature. It is not a scattered, eclectic mess; rather, it is only lightly adorned with accessories, a clean room with added texture and a neutral color palette.

It might seem difficult to achieve a cohesive look when mixing such opposing styles. Let’s look a bit deeper into how to properly mesh them.

Staying neutral with your colors allows the furniture to take center stage. Image Source: Sheridan Interiors

Transitional Is the Art of Mixing

Successful transitional design is achieved by seamlessly combining a mix of modern and traditional. While there are many interpretations of this style, here’s a list that will help you achieve a well-blended transitional look.

Stay neutral with your color choice, allowing the lines of the furniture to take center stage.
Incorporate textural elements such as wood, glass, lacquer, rattan, fabric, steel and metal.
Limit the use of accessories; you are adding artful details through your mix of furnishings and fabrics, and you don’t want to confuse the eye.
Choose impactful art, but use it sparingly. In most cases, one large piece on the wall is better than an arrangement of small pieces.

While this kitchen has a modern feel, its warm wood floors and cabinets lean traditional. Image Source: Photoklick

How to Create a Cohesive Transitional Style

Creating a cohesive transitional room can be challenging. Here are some ideas for mixing transitional elements room by room.

In the dining room: Use a modern dining table and chairs, but upholster the chairs in a traditional fabric. Alternatively, use traditional furnishings and offset them with modern lighting, such as steel pendants with exposed lightbulbs. Classic wood wainscoting can be another traditional feature in an otherwise contemporary dining space.
In the bedroom: Upholster a tufted, curved headboard (a traditional element) with a steel-gray fabric (a more modern element). Or flank a traditional headboard with modern cube side tables and sleek metal lamps.
In the kitchen: If your kitchen cabinets are already traditional in nature and you don’t want to replace them, use a stronger hand with modern accessories. Consider adding contemporary pendant lights over your island, or replace the island with a lacquered piece. Steel countertops can also add a contemporary look to an otherwise traditional kitchen.
In the bathroom: Use glass, metal, ceramic and wood for a modern touch. If you have a traditional clawfoot tub, install modern floor tiles, or arrange traditional tiles in a chevron pattern.
In the living room: If you have traditional architectural features such as trims and moldings, add clean-lined chairs and sofas, keeping fabrics warm yet neutral in color.

This bathroom cohesively mixes traditional and modern elements. Image Source: LB Design Studio

As you can see, transitional design can bring together two opposing styles into a cohesive room design when done properly. If you doubt your ability to do this on your own, then consider hiring a skilled interior designer to help you.

The post Transitional Design: What It Is and How To Pull It Off appeared first on Freshome.com.

Remodel of 1980s Home in Perth Is a Study in Contrasts

Posted: 25 Nov 2015 10:00 PM PST

modern residence (1) The creative team at Hillam Architects took on the challenge of upgrading a 1980s-era home in Perth, Australia. Despite the array of additions and alterations, some original elements of the old house were kept intact, such as the curved element on the second floor.

The exterior showcases intriguing color contrasts: white for the canopy framing the entry, black timber for the second level. Against the backdrop of the green manicured lawn and blue swimming pool, it makes for an eye-catching design.

architecture modern residence The second-floor terraces offer views of the courtyard, pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen. It’s clear that this home was designed for entertaining.

The exterior color palette seamlessly flows indoors, where wood was used extensively for a welcoming effect. A minimalist, highly functional black-and-white kitchen is the highlight of the open-plan living area.

Hillam Architects’ mission is “to design and create stylish and imaginative buildings in which form and function work together in perfect partnership.” Think this home in Perth fits the profile? [Photography by Joel Barbitta]

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The post Remodel of 1980s Home in Perth Is a Study in Contrasts appeared first on Freshome.com.

Computer Chip Inspires Design of Software Company’s Toronto Office

Posted: 25 Nov 2015 02:00 PM PST

Office K2 by Baraban Plus Design Studio

We’ve seen all kinds of office space designs, but none inspired by a computer chip — until now. That was the starting point behind the Toronto, Canada, offices of MacPaw, a software developer based in Kiev, Ukraine, designed by Baraban + Design Studio.

Bright orange and green accents and graphics can be found throughout the office, which encompasses 12,270 square feet. Looking around the uncluttered spaces, you’ll find places that encourage relaxation, as well as unconventional workspaces.

Office K2 by Baraban Plus Design Studio (1)

Colored lights help to set the mood so creativity can abound. The office has a snack bar, a foosball table and a terrace with a barbecue grill, fireplace and fountain.

As you might expect from a software company, almost everything that can be connected through technology is; the office’s lighting, climate and sound system are controlled by iPhone or iPad.

Office K2 by Baraban Plus Design Studio (2)

Even the office cats had a special place imagined just for them, even though they typically end up on someone’s laptop. The cats are an integral part of the team, which is why they have a designated area in the middle of the office.

If you’d like to see how Baraban + Design Studio designs homes, check out this residence in Ukraine, inspired by the raw beauty of a Tuscan villa.

Office K2 by Baraban Plus Design Studio (3)