Three design experts describe a design style that fits the moment.
Maura McEvoy; Design by Sarah Madeira Day
Its not always easy to describe yourdesign style.
And thats where transitional design comes into play: Its set in the middle of old and new.
Photo:Maura McEvoy; Design by Sarah Madeira Day
Below, three professionals share how to spot the transitional design style and bring it into your own surroundings.
What Is Transitional Design?
When its done correctly, transitional design feels calm and collected yet clearly curated and perhaps a bit daring.
William Jess Laird; Design by Carly Berlin
William Jess Laird; Design by Carly Berlin
How Does Transitional Design Differ from Modern Design?
Modern design, on the other hand, follows the trends.
The two aesthetics can look similar; they both tend to be prettyminimalist.
William Jess Laird; Design by Carly Berlin
But with modern design, you’ll usually be able to pinpoint precisely which design eras pieces come from.
Instead, it requires taking in the full scope of the setting.
Transitional design is all about striking a balance between traditional and contemporary styles, she says.
It’s about making the space interesting but not overwhelming, she adds.
Its the design equivalent of pairing jeans with a blazer.
You just cant operate from a place of not wanting to offend anyone.
Berlin recommends taking inventory, and using the bigger items as a foundation.
If those items lean more modern, as one example, then pick more traditional pieces as accessories.
It’s hard to backtrack.
Explore with easily modifiable things like hardware or fabric, but follow your gut with the big-budget items.
Traditional design actually encourages you to use what you have, as long as you do so strategically.
The idea here isn’t to fall down the rabbit hole of making ‘safe’ choices.
