A home with a transitional interior seamlessly combines traditional style with modern design. What does this look like? Think of a contemporary open concept kitchen with classic Shaker cabinets or antique furnishings in a sleek, monochromatic living room. While bringing these two designs together can yield breathtaking results, it’s not the easiest endeavor. Here are some tips for creating this hot style in your home.
Understand the art of mixing.
When working with two very different styles, keeping things balanced is key. One way to do that is to limit color and create a more neutral color scheme. The elements of the room should add contrast and texture themselves, so adding too many layers of color could create chaos.
Another easy rule is to limit décor. While traditional themes may encourage the addition of accessories, this is against modern design. When creating a transitional room be very mindful of what art and décor you incorporate into the room. Find statement pieces that add character without creating clutter or distracting from your design.
Offset traditional pieces with modern elements and vice versa.
To create cohesion, plan to have a pretty even mix of modern and traditional pieces. While there is no need to play the one for one game, do keep track of where each addition falls, so that you don’t end up with a room that is 80% traditional and 20% modern. This could make the outnumbered pieces look out of place rather than part of your design.
For example, if you prefer traditional types of cabinets in the kitchen, you can round things out with sleek hardware and appliances. If you have an open concept kitchen or great room, you could also create balance with a modern kitchen island or dining room table.
Keep your home’s foundation in mind.
When creating your layout and design, don’t forget about the architectural features in your home. Trims and molding are inherently traditional, for example, so if your home has these time-honored embellishments you may need more modern elements to create the harmony of a transitional design.
This is nothing to worry about, though. If anything, putting a modern stamp on a traditional home can be an easier feat than dating an ultra modern space. Embrace the ornamentation and history and add your own fresh influence.
Let your materials make their mark.
In transitional design, it is recommended to keep color and décor to a minimum and really rely on textural elements to create an interesting aesthetic. This means that the materials you choose for your flooring, walls and backsplashes hold the utmost importance.
Experiment with a variety of materials such as wood, glass, stone and metal. Your choices can be extremely powerful at subtly achieving your desired look.
The bathroom is one room where your materials will really come into play. Imagine the possibilities. An antique claw foot tub with a chandelier hanging above in a bathroom with modern glass tile, your favorite traditional types of cabinets in a natural wood finish, and an infinity shower.
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