Transitional style is a marriage of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, materials, and fabrics equating to a classic, timeless design. Furniture lines are simple yet sophisticated, featuring either straight lines or rounded profiles. I find that the busier we all become in our lives, the more we long for things being simple and less cluttered in our homes. A clean-lined transitional look helps us feel good about our space, and I find it absorbs some of the stress that we relinquish after our work day. I find that even more true as we age. The “less is more” concept becomes our anthem.

Over the past 10 years, the transitional style has invaded the design world and it keeps re-inventing itself as each year passes on. What was once a traditional and shaker market, has been taken over by transitional. What I find interesting about transitional tastes is that people each year give it their own spin. I have clients who follow the traditional-meets-modern world of transitional. I have others that follow a modern-to-country farmhouse look. Then there are others who mix the modern-to-shaker look. Each one takes on its own persona, and they all follow that classic and timeless look that everyone is after.

I recently finished a client’s kitchen that went the modern-to-farmhouse look. It was introduced in a very old Victorian home in an addition for an eating area and newly remodeled kitchen, bath, and laundry area. The simple and clean lines melded beautifully and tastefully with the older, chunky lines of the Victorian. A new staircase was added into the kitchen from the 2nd floor adding an old feel to the new space. Today’s looks are fresh, fun, and bright, and they help keep our moods at bay.

I find that most people haven’t a clue on what style that they feel is right for them. That’s why I always find it helpful to come to a client’s home first, so that I get to see how their space and furniture look today. By doing this, I find out that most people have bought newer furniture, and these pieces give me the hints that I need. Good questions also help draw out other thoughts to help me tie their tastes together. I find it is so much easier to help a client with the products like cabinets once I have unleashed the theme of the style they are after. There are so many new products and styles to pick from these days, so any chance that I have in narrowing the choices down for them helps with the stress from all of the decisions they will be bombarded with.

Remodeling is not an easy thing, so once a style of the area is decided on, all of your decisions of cabinets, counter tops, lighting, appliances, floors and walls will come together more quickly and seamlessly. To me, that adds up to more time, fewer arguments, and better results that you will be happy with for years. Is transitional a good style for you to consider? I think it’s a great style to start with, giving you so many ways to bring your look together.

Bon Appetit!!

Tim Holick

This entry was posted in Kitchen Design on January 21, 2016 by THblog.