Transitional Interior Design Balances the Past and Present
Transitional style is quenching the thirst for what the public wants in their interior design: drama and character.
A transitional style living room.
In 2022, we saw the rise of interest into interior designs that blended different styles: for example, Japandi combines Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian contemporary design. Recently, the "transitional” style of interior design has exploded in popularity.
Transitional interior design is the combination of contemporary and traditional design elements. Classic wallpapers, mouldings, and arches are commonly paired with bright pops of modern furniture or light fixtures. Transitional design strikes a balance between the past and future. It allows a space to showcase a cherished family heirloom alongside modern art, and for curvy, organic lines to run along straight ones. In transitional style, the furniture is often grand, comfortable, and one-of-a-kind.
A transitional style hallway and living room.
In the last decade, we have been inundated with all-white interiors, gray floorboards, and plain, Ikea-like furniture. It is simple and easy for contractors to build spaces with these designs and market them to the public as “modern.” Lately, we have seen a revolt against these styles which seem to dominate very metropolitan city.
A modern all-white interior.
Transitional style seems to be quenching the thirst for something the public wants in interior design: drama and character.
Interestingly enough, we see transitional design emerge during a culturally important time in our history: a time where our technology is growing beyond comprehension as humanity attempts to grasp onto the traditions that they value the most. The transitional style is a perfect representation of where many people today land in their cultural views. After a long time of enjoying modern designs, people have realized that there is a special character that is missing, and one avenue to explore this is through interior design in their homes. A transitional style for a transitional time period.
A very concerning graph recently went viral, showcasing the amount of color in our world is decreasing. Quite literally, the world is becoming grey.
Part of the reason the 80s and 90s still capture the hearts of many is because they appear so colorful and bright in comparison to now. While the transitional style is not particularly known for its colorfulness, it evokes a nostalgic form of comfort you would find in older historic homes, through the use of contrasting colors, dark-colored accents, and highly detailed wallpapers.
A modern loss of color over the years.
Recently, a Canadian home redesign by Ashley Montgomery Design took the architectural world by storm. This home was described as “the personification of a hug” and “grandma chic.” It includes a plentiful palette of colors, textures, and fabrics which don't overwhelm its spaces.
Home of Rivki Rabinowitz, designed by Ashley Montgomery Design. See more of the home using the gallery below.
In the above home, note the use of traditional elements with modern ones. The place takes what the owner likes from both the past and present and combines them tastefully.
The last few years of interior design trends have shown us that that people are interested in incorporating more traditional elements in their homes, such as wood paneling or even wall sconces for candles. The transitional style is only one of many design trends which show an attraction to more than just what is simple and minimalist. While there is no problem with enjoying minimalism, it is encouraging that we can have an appreciation of a modern and exciting design style that is outside of that and features the timeless character of more traditional designs.
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