Transitional Style
Style Secret: Crisp Window Treatments Bring in balloon valances, billowing draperies or elaborate finials, and a transitional room instantly feels overdressed. Yet if you leave windows bare, you risk casting a chill over the space. Treat windows elegantly but simply: basic panels, bamboo blinds, neutral Roman shades. Look closer: Layering understated curtain panels over natural blinds or shades, as in this bedroom, is a nearly foolproof way to add depth and texture. The draperies add just enough visual weight without being obtrusive, and the shades keep them from feeling too airy.
Style Secret: Minimal Accents Cull your accessories wisely and you won't need a ton of them to make an impact. That's especially important in a style that eschews frills and flotsam — as with furnishings, transitional accents share a lack of ornamentation and have a certain purity of form. Artwork should be simply framed; lighting should have strong, clean lines. Be prepared: The less-is-more approach requires firm and judicious editing. If you just can't bear to stow your prized majolica or dismantle your gallery wall, ask a style-savvy friend to handle it while you hide in another room. Look closer: A few well-chosen pieces are all it takes to bring this room to life. Understated frames and wide mats showcase the pair of black and white sketches, and the dramatic chandelier highlights the sculptural bowl. Don't overlook the attention to scale — all of the accents are substantial enough not to get lost in this quiet space.
Style Secret: Neutral Flooring Flooring tends to be a background player in transitional rooms. It's less about the material than about the color — you can go with natural woods, stone, tile, carpeting and more, as long as they're kept to a subtle, restrained palette. And this style also gives you a lot of leeway to combine multiple floor surfaces throughout a home (though not, preferably, in the same room). Look closer: The muted stone tile in this bathroom minds its manners, but its variegated patterns add a little spice. Carrying it partway up the walls gives it more presence and prevents the white tones from feeling clinical.
Transitional: You’re not too modern but not too traditional, either. You’re a gracious host, and you love to break out the fine china even when you’re just eating pizza. You prefer a home full of beige and other neutrals. You like simply framed artwork that doesn’t cause too much of a fuss. Serenity is your goal at home. You are transitional.
Style Secret: Serenity Above all, a transitional space should feel restful. You're going for an air of peace and ease — sure of itself without being brash, calm without being too quiet. If you sense a discordant note, take a critical look to see what needs pruning or smoothing. Each piece should fit into a unified whole. Look closer: This transitional bath strikes all the right notes: crisp lines, nuanced textures, and just enough pattern on the floor and the light fixture to spark the mix. The simple Roman shade allows natural light to flood in, but dark cabinetry and trim ground the space so that it doesn't feel as though it could float away.
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