Our Thoughts on Traditional and Transitional Style

We generally don’t think about decorating our own home in terms of adhering to a particular style or styles; in fact, we generally consider ourselves style agnostics. But if we were taking a multiple-choice survey, we’d probably select traditional or transitional as our personal style.

Traditional decorating is strongly influenced by historical European style and relies on tried-and-true design syntax: antiques; balance and symmetry; richly layered and luxurious textiles; classical architectural elements; and cohesive color palettes. That said, a traditional interior can be minimalist or maximalist, anywhere along the range between neoclassic Swedish country and high Victorian.

Transitional décor is typically seen as a bit looser, lighter, and more contemporary, serving as a bridge between traditional and modern styles. Elements of traditional and transitional design can be seen in many popular decorating approaches, including the regional American vernacular styles found in the South, New England, and California.

However, much of what is called “traditional” or “transitional” are simply design choices which transcend the trends, and free you from having to question your decisions every time a new micro-trend or color of the year pops up on social media, television, or in a magazine. Maybe you’ve never installed a Tuscan kitchen or shiplap paneling, painted all of your interiors grey, bought a blush-pink sofa, added an accent wall, color- or pattern-drenched a room, chalk-painted some brown furniture, or changed out all your hardware for matte black, but, like us, you may have been tempted. And when a new trend is announced, we second-guess our previous choices and start thinking about what now needs to be replaced. This is when home decorating really tests the budget, and, like fast fashion, can easily become an endless cycle of buying, swapping, and dumping. The accelerating cycle of new trends in design may also be masking the ugly truth of planned obsolescence, where the objects we buy are purposely designed to fail quickly. Do trends come and go just to ensure that we are always consuming and spending? Or can they also represent a more natural evolution of taste?

Indeed, many trends simply reintroduce historical design sensibilities or design elements: Einstein lightbulbs, block prints, shiplap, wallpapered ceilings, and subway tile are some recent examples of this, and history has had many architectural and design revivals including Gothic, Colonial, and Egyptian. When executed well, many design trends comprise timeless elements, like sturdy materials, cohesive finishes, and overall vision. Tweaking your vision rather than ripping out an expensive past choice can help you integrate or transform a trend into a more timeless look.

Sometimes all you need to do to create a more timeless look is to shop the house, which will also bring your story to life as it personalizes your home. An easy and inexpensive way to use what you already own in a traditional or timeless approach is to cluster family photos in silver or gold frames on a piano, mantle, or tabletop.

Small investments can also help imprint your unique style while pushing a trendy moment into the background, or foregrounding its most unique features in a new way. Introduce an antique or vintage table with a dark stain or paint finish into your all-white modern interior. Turn your accent wall into a picture frame by installing a collection of unframed art, objects, and/or posters. Add texture, pattern, and color by skirting your old tables, consoles, or short bookcases with layers of fabric. Pile custom or custom-look throw pillows (like the ones we make and sell!) and blankets on your grey sofa and chairs. Cheer up expensive but tired cherry kitchen cabinets with updated window treatments; new paper or paint on the walls; or by adding a collection of heirloom ironstone, blue and white dishes, or vintage McCoy pottery.

Incorporating traditional, transitional, and timeless décor in your home is just as easy as following a trend, and will often be cheaper, less stressful, and better for the planet. However, what is most important is that, whatever your interior style or styles, you feel welcome and at peace as you open the door into a home which tells your story and serves as your sanctuary.