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Not Too Modern. Not Too Traditional. Transitional Design is Just Right.

White and gray dining room

If you like elements of traditional design andย appreciate more contemporary style, youโ€™re actually right where you need to be. Transitional Design is a seamless blending ofย modern andย traditional, usually in a soothing neutral color palette. โ€œBecause transitionalย designย includes elements from both sides of the spectrum you can use it in anyย style of home. Itโ€™s never out of place,โ€ย saysย Normandy Designerย Jackie Jensen.

โ€œTransitional design makes it a joy to live in your charming 1920s home without feelingย like you are stuck in the past,โ€ says Jackie, adding, โ€œExisting elementsย of the home can balance out choices that are a little more current and the results are an inviting space thatโ€™s in line withย todayโ€™s lifestyle.โ€

Transitional design is intended to feel timeless. Choose, muted, neutral colors and aim for simplicity whenever possible.white kitchen in a transitional style โ€œCrown molding is an easy place to simplify. You can choose really nice molding thatโ€™s not too plain or too ornate,โ€ says Jackie. Painted cabinetry and trim are another hallmark of transitional design.

For the kitchen, Jackie recommendsย shaker cabinets, which are truly timeless.ย โ€œExplore the different profiles that are available to dress up shaker cabinets. You can play around with them to tilt your design either way, a little more traditional or a little moreย contemporary,โ€ she says.

Beams in living room, reclaimed barnwood, symmetry

Follow the same philosophy as you make the rest of your designย choices. If you like something that feels a little more forward, temper that with the material. For instance, if you like a waterfall edgeย island, consider an engineered stone with pretty veining that has a more vintage feeling to it. โ€œA solid color might feelย tooย harsh, butย if you soften it up, it will be beautiful and not out of place,โ€ says Jackie.

Lighting fixtures, always the jewelry of your rooms, can be showstoppers, just keep the overall balance of the space in mind. โ€œIf you like a crystal chandelier, that can work. If youโ€™re drawn to warm brass or gold tones in a simple style, great. Transitional style lighting is decorative but not overwhelming,โ€ Jackie tells us.

โ€œTransitional design doesnโ€™t really date as quickly as if you go all in on one style or the other.ย It does what the name implies, it transitions through trends,โ€ย emphasizesย Jackie.master bedroom with tray ceiling and settee at the end of the bed

If you are looking to remodel with transitional style in mind, you can set up a time to talk to Jackie about the possibilities. There are great examples and inspiration in the Normandy Remodeling photo galleries.ย We share projects and tidbits about different styles on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Weโ€™d love for you to follow along.

 

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