Mixing Old and New: A Guide to Transitional Design
Transitional design inhabits a happy, practical middle ground. It takes the substance of classic interiors and the simplicity of contemporary design. For people who aspire to rooms that are warm, timeless, and truly livable, transitional is the common route. At L+P Interiors — also known as LARK + PALM — we see transitional design as storytelling. Each object, finish, and layout choice should reveal part of a homeowner’s life while working beautifully in everyday use.
We're an award-winning Sausalito studio. Living here teaches us how light and weather shift through the day, and which materials stand up best near the water. Those practical observations inform design choices that stand the test of time.
What is Transitional Interior Design?
Transitional design is a mixture of two worlds: a classic structure and modern simplicity. Just picture a cleanly styled room with a few items that have some history or character. It is neither quite modern, which is cold, nor quite traditional, which is heavy. Rather, transitional strikes the balance between comfort and sophistication.
A truly modern room favors minimal ornament and strong geometry. An eclectic room mixes many eras and patterns. Transitional borrows modern simplicity and pairs it with a few historic or textured pieces so the room feels grounded and fresh.
Transitional is sometimes mixed up with eclectic or modern traditional. The eclectic is less limited by a narrower range of styles, and more adventurous. Modern tradition is more classical adornments with modern changes. The middle ground falls between, and, is more concerned with calmer color schemes, balanced design and reasoned texturing. It is important to consider symmetry and scale, but also easy to use; furniture must be beautiful and functional as well as suited to everyday life.
“Transitional design is the curated balance of past and present—offering breathing room for both.”
Why Transitional Design Works for How We Live Today
Homes are multi-use now. A living room can be an office, a homework table, and a movie den all in one day. Transitional design answers this by creating spaces that feel collected rather than staged. It gives us pieces that age well, finishes that can withstand wear, and an overall calmness that reduces visual stress.
Homeowners want personality and longevity. They want rooms that tell a story: the places they’ve lived, the things they love, and the family objects that matter. Transitional design provides a canvas for all of that. At L+P Interiors, we use this approach across the Bay Area — from a Nantucket cottage to a hillside home in St. Helena. The goal is the same: make rooms feel like someone lives there, not like they belong in a magazine.
Key Elements of Transitional Design
Transitional design is subtle but built from clear choices we return to often.
Neutral Color Schemes: This can then be created by choosing soft whites, warm greys, muted taupes. These tints act as a background that allows furniture and art to be viewed instead of being overwhelmed. Moreover, the neutral walls allow layering materials without jeopardizing the feeling of obsolescence in a room.
Blended Furniture Styles. Mixing clean-lined modern sofas with an antique sideboard or a vintage rug is central. The contrast makes the room feel curated. For example, a modern linen sectional can sit with an heirloom Turkish rug and a restored mid-century table. At L+P Interiors, we often begin with a client’s family pieces — reupholstering dining chairs, for instance — and design the room around them.
Emphasis on Texture, Not Pattern. Instead of bold prints, use texture for depth. Nubby linens, soft throws, brushed metals, and leather with a lived-in sheen add interest without noise.
Functional, Understated Accessories. Accessories should be purposeful. A stack of books can anchor a coffee table and a sculptural ceramic adds a human touch without clutter. We choose pieces that tell a small story.
Our signature moves include layered books, a pair of unexpected candlesticks, and pieces from local makers so accessories feel personal.
Translating Transitional Design Room-by-Room
Every room has different needs, and transitional adapts without losing coherence.
Living Room: Make a welcoming but multidimensional space. Create a point of interest - a fireplace, a gallery wall or a dramatic light to create visual appeal. Choose seats in performance fabrics and balance them out with cushions and throws to relax the mood. Attentively selected furniture invites people to stay.
Kitchen: Transitional kitchens bring utility and tactile texture together. Shaker-style cabinetry is classic and clean. Combine it with marble or quartz or matte brass or black hardware. In a Tahoe project we did, a modern island was balanced by warm wood open shelving and vintage pendants to keep the space layered and friendly
Bedroom: Bedrooms are concerned with sleep. Make the color scheme calming & the furniture balanced. It takes just one modern thing like a sculptural lamp or a fabulous headboard to bring zing. Cushiony and textural bedding in linen and wool.
Bathroom: Small areas are also changeable through transitional touches. The example is classic tile that goes together with sleek faucets to form an impression of silent opulence. Introducing a cozy wood tone or an antique mirror will help so that the area does not seem clinical.
How L+P Interiors Approaches Transitional Design
At L+P Interiors every commission is interpreted as a story. The issue is raised and closed by people. We carefully pick up the beats of everyday life, how people move within their rooms and what they cherish, how to receive visitors and what rituals a room has to support. This anthropocentric philosophical approach will make the resulting design effective to lived experience rather than just photography. Often a creative process starts with a tangible artefact such as a set of dining chairs belonging to a grandmother, an old rug or a family heirloom painting, which serves as a prompt to the designer.. Those items become the emotional starting point. From there, we consider architecture and environment. A foggy Belvedere shoreline suggests different materials than a sunny Nantucket cottage. Our job is to match the design to the home’s bones and the family’s story.
Our team shapes the work. Founding Principal Ansley Majit brings a “Classic with a Twist” sensibility, so pieces often have quiet refinement with an unexpected detail. Studio Director Megan Bettor uses her production background to keep projects smooth and organized. Junior Designer Malia Lucey and Design Assistant Grace Heller add fresh perspectives that keep our work lively.
In a St. Helena project, a client's worn dining chairs became the starting point. We reupholstered them in durable Belgian linen and used their tone to guide wallpaper and textiles. That small intervention tied the dining room to the rest of the house.
We complete projects of all scopes at L+P Interiors. You may just need a room face-lift, or you could be building starting at the bottom floor. We provide customized, tailored, and sustainable design in both situations.
Transitional Design Mistakes to Avoid
Good intentions can tip a space off balance. Here are common missteps we help clients avoid.
Too Much Matching. When everything matches perfectly, a room can feel staged. Instead, choose complementary pieces that speak to different eras.
Over-Accessorizing. Accessories should be intentional. Too many objects make a space feel cluttered and hide the home’s story.
Ignoring Architecture. The home’s "bones" — molding, windows, ceiling height — guide design choices. Design with the architecture, not against it.
Sourcing from One Era. Pulling everything from one period removes contrast. Layering eras creates interest.
Over-Minimalizing. Minimalism is beautiful, but transitional asks for restraint rather than austerity. Layer textures, keep meaningful objects, and avoid empty expanses that feel uninviting.
L+P Interiors helps clients dodge these pitfalls with practical design guidance and hands-on management. Want expert eyes on your project? Reach out →
Working with L+P Interiors
Our structure is all about collaboration. We partner with homeowners, architects, contractors, and client representatives to support the project momentum. We manage the details — everything from sourcing custom textiles, to shipping and deliveries — so the experience can remain pleasant and "inevitable" in the outcome!
In our first stage we will have a discovery chat where we will be focusing our attention deeply on what you say. It is upon these insights, that we develop concept boards containing viable budgets and sourcing concepts. You stay involved in every step of the process and we take the responsibility of organizing the details hence making the process not only foreseeable but also completely satisfying.
We offer full-service residential design across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, including Belvedere, St. Helena, Nantucket, and Tahoe.
L+P Interiors is currently accepting new residential design inquiries.
Call us at (415) 987-5986 or email hello@larkandpalm.com to begin.
Our studio is at 4000 Bridgeway Blvd, Suite 305, Sausalito, CA 94965.
Conclusion
Transitional design is not about choosing old or new. It is about mixing them with intention so your home looks collected instead of confused. At L+P Interiors we love rooms that feel layered, personal, and made for real life. If you’re ready to tell your home’s story through thoughtful design -
Explore our project gallery and let’s bring your vision to life →
FAQs
1. What is transitional design style in home interiors?
Transitional design blends the timeless warmth of traditional décor with the clean lines of modern design. It balances classic furniture and modern materials to create spaces that feel both sophisticated and inviting.
2. Can you mix modern and traditional furniture in transitional design?
Absolutely. Mixing modern and traditional furniture is at the heart of transitional design. The key is to maintain balance and harmony — choose a consistent color palette, keep proportions even, and let one style lead subtly while the other supports.
3. What is the 70/30 rule in interior design and how does it apply to transitional spaces?
The 70/30 rule suggests using 70% of one dominant style (for example, modern) and 30% of a secondary style (such as traditional). In transitional interiors, this ensures the blend feels intentional, not cluttered.
4. What is the 3-5-7 rule in interior design and why is it important?
The 3-5-7 rule focuses on visual rhythm — grouping items in odd numbers (like 3, 5, or 7) makes displays more dynamic and natural. This technique works beautifully in transitional design when styling shelves, coffee tables, or mantelpieces.
5. How do you create balance in a transitional living room?
Balance is achieved by combining neutral colors, mixed textures, and streamlined shapes. Use soft fabrics, warm woods, and a few metallic or modern accents to connect the old and new elements seamlessly.
6. What color palette works best for transitional interiors?
Stick to neutral tones like beige, taupe, gray, and ivory, complemented by soft blues, greens, or charcoals. These colors create a calm backdrop that allows both traditional and contemporary features to shine equally.
