Not sure what transitional interior design is? You’re not alone. Dallas designer Traci Connell, who specializes in high-end transitional designs that combine modern clean lines with classic styles, shares her expertise on this widely used term to help explain. “To me, transitional style is ‘updated classic,’” she says. “It’s a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary styles.” Transitional furnishings are stripped down to their core with no unnecessary embellishments — yet they are anything but boring, she adds. Often, lines and curves play a starring role, or sometimes pops of color embellish an otherwise neutral environment.
The low country architectural style of this Dallas house benefits from clean roof lines and a light color palette that relates to the inside.
The entryway welcomes guests with a custom front door featuring heavy casing, transitional sidelights and a web-inspired Palladian transom window on top.
The checkerboard floor of the foyer merges two Ann Sacks tiles: Bardiglio marble and Concord Silver. Metallic silver patterned paper from Anna French adds another shiny texture.
The linear fireplace has a tiled surround in a silvery finish; other elements in the room also pick up the metallic theme. The lighting is by Arteriors.
Examples of transitional elements might include a stone fireplace flanked by stained cabinetry on either side, a curvy hood in the kitchen, a horizontal band of decorative tile in the bathroom or an updated wallpaper design in the foyer.
In fact, Traci recently combined all these elements in this striking Dallas house. The new, custom-built home sets the transitional tone right away with its open floor plan and spacious rooms that relate to one another. “I love the openness of this house,” the designer says. “The living room, dining room and kitchen are situated in one long, rectangular space that flows effortlessly from one area to the next, with only the placement of the furniture defining each room.”
A geometric rug from The Rug Company anchors the otherwise neutral elements in the living room.
As part of the open floor plan, the dining table and chairs mingle with living room furniture.
The spacious first floor also opens to the chic gray kitchen, with its marble and quartz countertops. Floors are natural black walnut. Kravet fabric covers the custom bar stools at the spacious island. The adjacent keeping room continues the gray and yellow theme.
Gray and yellow tones distinguish the banquette area of the kitchen. The light fixture and table are by Arteriors, with patterned fabric by Robert Allen.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams chairs with a lively fabric on the back add to the charm of the curvy seating area. A built-in Miele coffee machine is nearby.
The kitchen and master bath particularly show Traci’s deft touch, merging traditional and modern styles. Marble countertops and a coffered ceiling are time-honored features for the kitchen, yet the designer added some fresh elements to the mix: a modern backsplash design made with Ann Sacks tiles; a sinuous gray, faux-finish hood and the built-in banquette, full of color and personality. Similarly, the empty-nest homeowners loved the idea of a “wet room” (one enclosed area with a shower and bathtub together) for their master bath, so Traci referred to high-end spas as her inspiration to create a sophisticated retreat. Red oak cabinetry on the custom vanities plays the traditional role in the room, while a curving tile bench in the shower and barrel ceiling bring in unexpected touches.
Wallpapered display cabinets contribute a modern touch to the otherwise traditional cabinets.
Ann Sacks tile was arranged in an artistic design at the range area.
Even the laundry room stands out, thanks to drapery fabric from Duralee. Benjamin Moore‘s Shaker Gray covers the cabinetry.
Custom vanities have a furniture-like look in the master bath. The designer combined the shower and tub into one spa-like “wet room.”
A dark wood stain on the vanities contributes to the rich look, with a mosaic tile backsplash as an added detail.
Chevron-patterned tiles are a striking focal point in the wet room, with its freestanding tub and multiple shower heads.
In every room, each classic element seems to be matched with a more trendy, colorful counterpart. “Tile, paint, textures and fabric were applied in new and unique ways to give this home a completely different transitional feel,” says Traci, summing up the traditional-with-a-twist philosophy of transitional designs.
RESOURCES
- Tile: Ann Sacks
- Wallpaper: Anna French
- Rug: The Rug Company
- Lighting & kitchen table: Arteriors
- Patterned fabric: Robert Allen
- Barstool fabric: Kravet
- Kitchen chair: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
- Drapery fabric: Duralee
- Paint: Benjamin Moore in Shaker Gray
Special thanks to Michael Hunter Interior Photography for today’s beautiful photography.
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