A Transitional Living Room

The Story of an "Updated Classic"

Creating space that is both family friendly and elegant can be a difficult task. However, choosing a transitional design style might be just the solution.

What is transitional style? In the world of interior design, it refers to a look that combines both traditional and more modern elements. 

This is the tale of a living room that incorporates off-the-rack, refurbished, and custom pieces to create a transitional space the entire family can enjoy!

Heidi, husband Pat and their three children (ages 9, 7 and 7) live on Capitol Hill, in a 121 year old row house. When they purchased the home last year, they were attracted to its formal bones... plaster moldings, elegant banisters, original fireplace, and dramatic second story bow window. But, life with three children under the age of 10 is anything but formal. So they set about creating a room that paid homage to the home's history but also reflected their more modern taste.

 They began with a beige and blue color palette. From there they began the task of selecting furniture. Crate and Barrel's English-style Essex Sofa anchors the room along with the unique and modern Arvada coffee table from Arhaus. With the first seating in place, Heidi's next priority was to address her need for storage.

Row houses are notorious for their less than adequate storage; making the decision to have custom cabinets, by Mesfin Mekuria, built on either side of the fireplace, as much about practicality as aesthetics. These beautiful built-ins store toys, games, DVDs and books. The base cabinets are a classic style with raised panel doors and drawers, while the shelves above nod towards more modern floating shelves.

Heidi reused the roman shades left behind by the former homeowners and had drapes, from an upstairs bedroom, remade for the elegant bow window. The gracious slipper chairs are a cost-conscious find, $279 each from World Market!

The comfy patterned accent chair came with the family from their previous home. Since the upholstery was in good condition but did not match the new decor, they had it slipcovered - thrifty and kid friendly.

For this Capitol Hill family, a transitional style home offers just the right balance.

While rooted in the traditional, this is not your grandmother's living room!