Transitional Design: Blending the Old and the New | Home Design ...

Though many people have never heard the term "transitional design," many are using this intriguing decorating style in their homes without even realising it. Whether or not you are among them, you may just find it intriguing to learn a bit about a popular style of home d?cor that you could one day decide to use yourself. We'll tell you what transitional design is and then share several key characteristics and elements of the style that we're sure will prove helpful for incorporating its delightful decorative contrasts into your own living space.

Transitional Design: What Is It?
Transitional design has been referred to as "updated classic" and "classic with a contemporary twist." Its unique combinations of traditional and contemporary furniture styling, which are only limited by the interior decorator's imagination, have also been described as "new takes on old classics" ? and indeed they are!.
Transitional design is considered by many to be a timeless style that melds the simplicity and charm of traditional home furnishings with the starker, more severe lines of contemporary home d?cor, creating a softer, more sophisticated ? and at the same time homier and more comfortable ? look and feel.

Characteristics of Transitional Design
Some characteristics of the style:

Warmth
Rooms decorated in this style usually feel inviting and often seem quite intimate and relaxing.
Simplicity
The combination of smooth straight and curved lines and the simple, understated, unadorned styling of transitional design are elements that many people find immensely appealing.
Minimalism
Plain, spare, sparse design elements add a sleek, uncluttered look and feel to this interior design style that marries the moderate shape and size of traditional furnishings to the cool austerity of contemporary furniture and accents.
Balance
Combining soft with hard, curved with straight, masculine with feminine, smooth with textured, the occasional large pattern (floral, plaid, wide stripes, etc.) with other mostly solid-coloured design elements, this style offers a finished look that blends the features of two unrelated eras in a way that creates an incredible decorative symmetry.
Neutrality
This style, with its mostly subdued colours (greys, off-whites, creams, tans, browns) and only an occasional burst of colour for accent, is easy on the eye. White is sometimes also used but generally offset by another mellow shade to avoid a stark or sterile look (e.g. white tiles toned down with grey grout).?
Texture
From rugs and carpeting to upholstery, throw pillows, draperies and more, textured fabrics are a key element that keeps this style interesting.
Sophistication
When handled with an artistic eye, this charming combination of old and new exudes a surprisingly classy sophistication ? a far cry from the incongruity one might expect from such differing designs.

Popular Transitional Design Materials
Some popular transitional design materials that you can use to turn your home into an oasis of harmonious multi-era design:

• Berber carpets (textured and often patterned)
• Sisal and other natural fibre rugs (textured and patterned)
• Hides and plush on floors, upholstered furniture and pillows
• Chenille, damask or other textured bedspread fabrics
• Ultrasuede, microsuede and corduroy upholstery and throw pillows
• Other textured fabrics for slipcovers, draperies, throw pillows and bedspreads
• Leather chairs, sofas, furniture accents and other decorative pieces
• Stone, marble and granite flooring, countertops, mantels and tabletops
• Metal and glass fixtures, furniture and other design elements
• Wood furniture, flooring, cabinetry, mantels and picture frames

Many of the above elements' patterns and textures provide the perfect counterpoint to the smooth, solid look of the plainer and more subdued background elements around which the room's d?cor is built. Taken together, these complementary components provide a unique charm and sophistication that no other interior design style can quite match!

What intrigues you most about transitional design?

About Guest Blogger

About the Author: Guest post contributed by Sarah Bolt on behalf of Steel Line. Sarah is a freelance writer with an extensive background in interior design. She writes for various online periodicals where she likes to share her insights

This post was written by a guest contributor. Please see credential in the post above. For guest post guideline at Home design inspiration , please check out our write a new guest post on home design tips at Home design inspiration page and know more about? how you can share your home design tips with our community.

Source: http://www.indianhomedesign.com/2012/08/transitional-design-blending-old-and-new.html

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