Channeling the elegance of the 1930s and inspired by the simplic…
Channeling the elegance of the 1930s and inspired by the simplicity of modern design, Kallista’s Barbara Barry Counterpoint console table is crafted from solid hardwood and veneers. Paired with a Counterpoint marble top, the piece measures 31 9/16 inches wide and 20 1/4 inches deep.
www.kallista.com.
The new Weymouth bath collection from Moen is decidedly traditio…
The new Weymouth bath collection from Moen is decidedly traditional but with clean lines. Pieces feature elaborate details such as porcelain inlays with decorative “Hot” and “Cold” script in English or French. A variety of design options are available.
www.moen.com.
The Massena pendant is Hudson Valley Lighting’s contemporary u…
The Massena pendant is Hudson Valley Lighting’s contemporary update to a classic fixture. Available in two sizes, the light features a metal shade and a metal frame, with a round ceiling canopy. Pendants can be specified in old bronze, polished nickel, satin nickel, and white glass with polished nickel accents.
www.hudsonvalleylighting.com.
Kohler’s Purist bridge kitchen faucet is rooted in historic de…
Kohler’s Purist bridge kitchen faucet is rooted in historic design, but the company has updated the unit with contemporary lines. The deck-mount faucet features a high-arc 10-inch spout and ceramic disk valves. It comes in four finishes.
www.us.kohler.com.
The manufacturer says the versatile Evanston flat-mount wall sco…
The manufacturer says the versatile Evanston flat-mount wall sconce is suitable for any interior style—whether classic or modern. Shown in a brushed nickel finish, the light measures 9 inches long and 5 inches wide, and has a 2 1/4-inch square shade holder.
www.brasslight.com.
The Stratford line of bath fittings has a classic yet clean appe…
The Stratford line of bath fittings has a classic yet clean appearance that will fit right into all but the most contemporary architectural styles. Shown with Preston handles, the widespread unit measures 7 inches and is shown in polished chrome.
www.watermark-designs.com.
Baldwin’s Estate Series is traditional but unfussy. Designed f…
Baldwin’s Estate Series is traditional but unfussy. Designed for luxury homes, the Couture line of door levers and knobs offers a variety of intricate-styled products but with an updated look. The line comes in 17 finishes. www.baldwinhardware.com.
Shaws Original fireclay apron sink calls to mind Midwest farmhou…
Shaws Original fireclay apron sink calls to mind Midwest farmhouses and barns. The 1 1/2-bowl-unit measures 39 1/2 inches wide and 18 1/2 inches from front to back. It comes in white and biscuit.
www.rohlhome.com.
The Savina Collection from JADO combines 19th-Century style with…
The Savina Collection from JADO combines 19th-Century style with 21st-Century technology. Consisting of taps, faucets, and tub fillers, pieces feature intricate detailing and rich ornamentation. A variety of handle styles are available.
www.jadousa.com.
Xylem's new Kent bath furniture collection offers transitional d…
Xylem's new Kent bath furniture collection offers transitional designs that fit seamlessly with traditional and modern spaces. Available in brown ebony and whitewash, the 30-inch vanity is constructed from solid wood and features full-extension ball-bearing glides and fully concealed hinges.
www.xylem.biz.
For all the talk of the reemergence of contemporary design, Americans are still middle-of-the-road people who like traditional product design, chrome finishes, white solid surface, and beige paint. The trouble is that most traditional products are not that exciting.
But some manufacturers are finding a way to cater to the middlebrow with traditional products that feature cleaner lines, or classical designs that have been updated with a fresher look.
“Many homeowners and apartment dwellers that currently have traditional-style rooms are now seeking to bring a more contemporary edge to their conventionally decorated homes,” writes home furnishings purveyor Michelle Radcliff for the website www.lovetoknow.com. “Transitional style interior design may be just what the doctor ordered. As a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, transitional rooms feature an elegant, enduring design. This distinctive style radiates a comfortable yet classic feel that is growing in popularity.”
Though hated by many who deem it a non-style, transitional design products originate from classical examples but add an updated twist. Also known as “updated classic,” transitional products feature cleaner lines that are less ornate than traditional products but not as pared back as contemporary design. Such products are much more versatile than contemporary offerings, but they are usually fresher looking than stodgy traditional products.
In other cases, manufacturers are updating traditional designs to appeal to a younger demographic who are more open to the cache of Old School design and architecture but don’t want too many fussy details.
For example, Piscataway, N.J.-based American Standard recently released the Savina Collection (in its JADO brand) that updates 19th Century detailing with 21st Century technology. And North Olmsted, Ohio-based Moen doubled down with the ultra-traditional Weymouth collection. “According to Moen research, nearly half of today’s homeowners prefer traditional styling when it comes to choosing a luxury faucet; and more specifically, they’re searching for a faucet with unique and detailed design elements,” the company says.
Here are 10 products that fit the new trend in design.
