Interior Design Style #5: Transitional

Coloring outside the lines

We have talked a lot about different design styles and trends on our blog, and we will continue to offer our take on different looks for your home. Today, however, we will share our philosophy of blurring the lines between style labels to bring you products with a Trendless, Timeless, Well-Traveled appeal.

For more than 40 years Carolyn Kinder International has designed and developed home decor products with thoughtful, unexpected combinations of material, shape and finish. Each concept is created with a relentless focus on detail and a clarity of style that is easy to identify.

One of the reasons for our continued success over the years has been a conscious effort to avoid style labels, fashion fads or industry trends. Our transitional style blends the comfort and warmth of traditional design with clean lines and simple profiles to create classic, timeless designs. And our deliberate, understated neutral color palate gives each piece we bring to market a versatile appeal that is easy to place with any design style.

Of course, we are impacted and influenced by the world around us and many of our products mingle well with specific style groups, but the beauty of transitional style is that they will work just as well anywhere. One of the biggest trends is to not follow trends. Sounds strange, but more and more consumers are adapting, more eclectic groupings of home decor items that represent their own personal style.

Carolyn Kinder said it best many years ago:

“The quality of a person’s home is a huge part of the quality of their life. People put things that they love in their home, things that bring them comfort and warmth and memories and style and individuality – all the things that make home – home.”

Transitional designs and the art of mixing

Freshome.com calls it “the art of mixing” and gives these tips on how to incorporate transitional design into your home:

• Stay neutral with your color choice, allowing the lines of the furniture to take center stage.
• Incorporate textural elements such as wood, glass, lacquer, rattan, fabric, steel and metal.
• Limit the use of accessories; you are adding artful details through your mix of furnishings and fabrics, and you don’t want to confuse the eye.
• Choose impactful art, but use it sparingly. In most cases, one large piece on the wall is better than an arrangement of small pieces.