Baby Boomers Enjoy Downsizing To Transitional Style Decor And Furnishings
I have been here, there and everywhere this past week on a mission to find cool decorating stuff for
my home. Now I know a lot of you think that if you stepped into my home that you would be back in the 1940s or 1950s...but that is not at all what you would discover. All the funky 1940s and 1950s collectibles and accessories are in my shop, "Kitsch n Stuff" at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford.A Home In Transition
My home is in TRANSITION.......so I have what is now called "Transition Style". I love the word "Transition " (Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another)...this is totally me...always creating something new.
But forget about me...what about "Transition Style" ? What exactly does "Crate and Barrel" or "Pottery Barn" mean by "Transition Style" ? This trend blends the traditional furnishings with more contemporary designs. For many of us who have been avid collectors for years and adored "stuffed", packed in looks....think of "Transitional" as a Baby Boomer's answer to clearing out a lot of the old and going for a cleaner, slicker look.
"Transitional style is a marriage of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, materials and fabrics equating to a classic, timeless design. Furniture lines are simple yet sophisticated, featuring either straight lines or rounded profiles. Fabric is as diverse as graphic patterns on overstuffed sofas and textured chenilles on sleek wood frames." http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/transitional-style-101/index.html
Characteristics of Transitional Style Decorating
As you visit major furniture stores today, you will see the following characteristics featured in room settings;
1. Colors of dark brown, taupe, tan, vanilla and lots of tone on tone or simply white! Also palettes borrowed from Mid-century.
2. Minimalist approach (less is better)..
3. Clean, straight lines. (less fuss)
4. Simple designs...less ornamentation and decoration.
5. Matte finishes on pottery.
6. Lots of crystal, Mercury glass, silver.
7. Textiles which re-interpret 50s, 60s and 70s palettes and designs.
What Antique Dealers Should Know About Transitional Style
Now is the time to feature your 1950s furnishings (wire stands, art glass, matte pottery, Mid-Century furniture, abstract barkcloth). Pull out your 60s and 70s textiles with large bold prints and lots of graphics. Flaunt your silver, chromes, crystals.
Guess what, the photos are NOT my home...they are from the current collection at Crate and Barrel
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.
No comments:
Post a Comment