Lynn, I had no idea that there was a color palette for Transitional, or that accessories were necessarily minimized. I thought it was just not traditional, just pulling from it as a more sleek and contemporary traditional style.

So, I wonder what it's called when more complex colors, patterns, and accessories are used!

Interesting! Thanks for posting :)

I guess I've been thinking of what people have been calling 'Modern Classic' as having the restrained palette and accessories that Transitional is describing here.

Lynn, the real problem is that there is no exact, shared definition of transitional that you will find in some decorating dictionary. It's only when the style has passed into history that people will be able to see all that the style encompassed and write a more definitive description. While we are living through the style it will constantly morph and take on new trends and also blend with other current styles available to the market.

Trying to put any of these "styles" into a neat little box is impossible and that is why you will find major differences when researching the subject. Even the people who market to us have trouble defining one style from the other and there clearly are many gray areas. Probably compounding this is the fact that no generation before us has probably had so many choices of styles with options from the cheapest Chinese imports to the most expensive custom made from exotic materials. In addition, it is very rare for someone not to have at least some elements of other styles mixed into their home.

Sky

Thank you, Lynn, I found that to be very helpful.

I agree that styles can't be put into a "neat little box" but when a person is seeking to define their decorating personality, it helps to have the details spelled out.

Thank you Squirrel, skypathway and mclarke. I guess I will just go by the general definition the passage above reads. I will realize that I need to just read the various sites to get a general idea but there is no exact neat little box. I love learning about decorating styles since I always just went by what I love and I am finding out that I do not fit neatly into any little box. :)

Wow I learn something new everyday. I have a style after all. Thanks for enlightening me.

Lynn,

Great post. I don't necessarily agree with their take on transitonal. How boring is all silver or black frames for pictures). I do agree with their generality of the style. Candace Olsen and Kenneth Brown(my HGTV favs)decorate very transitionally in most of their spots. If you look on the HGTV website you will find tons of rooms labeled transitional.

I agree with everyone else that true style cannot be placed in one "little box." A little box would make a room very uninteresting.

Transitonal/Contemporary is a style I have been studying for sometime and the one I have basically chosen for my new TH. I needed all new furnishings for the FR and Breakfast nook and I wanted them to be classic and timeless. Traditional is not the only timeless furnishing today.

Transitional/Contemporary is not something I have seen on this forum. I do see a lot of ecelectic styling which is very elegant and interesting but more traditional style/new wave country/french provencal sometimes with a transitonal/contemporary influence here and there.

I believe you can place certain antique influences in a transitional/contemporary room. It's why I keep watching Turner Classics. Love that whole art deco/retro style. It's very transitional by today's standards with plain curved and straight arms on chairs and sofas, and plain lines on tables both curved and straight.

I have become such a nut with this style, I even noticed that on Boston Legal, Denny's office is transitional.

For me, I don't think I will every get rid of the eclectic part of my eye but I will be adding tons of transitional/contemporary pieces throughout my home.

I found this definition... it's a little "horoscopy" for me, but it seems to fall in line with Lynn's post:

A classic, enduring design, transitional style is a union of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, materials and fabrics. To call to mind a fresh, tranquil mood, the transitional palette relies on a lack of color.

A simple approach is taken with carefully chosen accessories. The look balances both masculine and feminine qualities for a comfortably contemporary design.

A transitional look to your home generates an easy, welcoming atmosphere and mixes it with the sense of the traditional that shows off your good taste.

Elegant and relaxed, trendy and tasteful, transitional style blends the best of traditional and contemporary looks.

Transitional furniture is about bringing together comfort and minimalism with the attractive styling of traditional furniture.

The lines are simpler than those found in more traditional styles, but are not as simple as contemporary. There are two sub-styles:

* Casual. This style has elements of classic style, yet is cozy without being overly hip.
* Eclectic. The general look of an eclectically styled room is integrated by prudent use of color and finish, shape and texture.

Transitional family room furnishings combine both contemporary and traditional furniture styles. It effortlessly adjusts and combines with an assortment of styles, joining clean lines with fancy curves, and natural wood finishes with smooth, brushed metals.

Fabric choices range from geometric and graphic patterns to classic textured solids. To get the look of transitional décor mix and match a variety of contemporary and traditional pieces.

"Transitional" is also used to describe blended interior architecture, for floor plans that bring together formal spaces and fine points of traditional architecture with open, multitasking ones.

An additional burst of color here, an unexpectedly detailed bit of decoration there  transitional is a style that can communicate accents of the eclectic and the unanticipated.

You are on the avant-garde of design if you take pleasure in the transitional style. People who enjoy this style are taken with smooth and contemporary furniture and a minimum of accessories.

They would select a lamp, a picture or a vase only if it makes a statement, and they have good judgment when it comes to line, scale, and drama.

Do you prefer plain, clean lines and geometric shapes? Are you inclined toward light woods, like natural maple when selecting furniture? When you add ornaments to a room, would you most likely pick new accessories that are positioned sparingly and carefully all through the room? If you answered, "yes" to these questions, then transitional style is for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: quote source

xoxosmom, I am glad I could be of help since another poster asking about her inspirational bedding had me look up different definitions to learn more about styles.

jersey_girl1, thanks for your post since that is what I thought also was transitional/contemporary and your post does help.

mclarke, your post helps so much into knowing that transitional has two sub-styles, Casual and Eclectic. I think my family room and office are casual transitional. I am still not sure what my bedroom is since it is a mix of country, modern, victorian (headboard), shabby chic (still not sure if my bedroom is this or not) all rolled up into one without too much color. For my bedroom I am carefully selecting what I want in it since I only want what I love to be in this special room of mine. I never fixed up a bedroom before two years ago and it means a lot to me to have a peaceful retreat.