| Transitional style for a transitional time of year |
By: Rich Schell
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If anyone hadn’t noticed yet, the term “eclectic” is out the window and “transitional” is in. Having just returned from the Atlanta and Las Vegas markets, I heard over and over the terms that even I realized I have been using for some time now. Eclectic seems to have been replaced with transitional as a more refined term of integrating styles. I personally like the term!
Blending styles and periods of furnishings is, in my belief, a far more interesting way to go. Like a fine museum, you want to see various styles and periods of art reflected throughout your own home. In previous articles that I have written, I talked about collections. This again is the perfect way to establish that transitional feel in your home environment. Pick one of your many likes and build from that point. Often, when people come into my store, they say that they love the feel of the space and wish that their home felt like it. BINGO! They just confirmed that they are in love with a transitional style — a proverbial melting pot of East meets West and Modern meets Rustic. But when all put together, it is fabulous!
I say that with a great piece of art, texture on the sofa, interesting throw pillows and good lighting, you are well on your way to a terrific interior. I believe that too many of us are going to have look-alike interiors if we can’t shake up what is on the market. I enjoy the looks that a lot of the mall stores have going on, but the three big mall anchor stores are all competing with each other and somehow have lost the fact that as much as they differ, they are all alike. The trick is to build on some of the looks from which the stores inspire you, but add to them to create your own look. (This will keep you from creating a replica of the room on the front cover of the last mail order catalog you received.)
One way to really set your room apart is with original art. My best analogy is to think of it like putting Grandmother’s antique brooch on a dress that 15 of your friends might wear. It’s the brooch that personalizes the dress and makes the style your own. You get the point.
On another note …
Unless you have stock in a ski resort, let’s bid farewell to this snow thing. Enough already!
I was so happy when that Groundhog Phil guy did not see his shadow — meaning an early spring. I am itching to get into my gardens this year. That is such an important part of my life as my home transitions from inside to outside.
Last November I planted lots of new spring and summer bulbs. I look forward to seeing them pop their heads through the frozen earth as I become one with my outdoor patio pots for the next five months.
I am always energized with great new plans for my life at the beginning of each new year. I get all melancholy thinking of how I am going to make this a more spectacular year than the one before.
I love to set goals and plan dates on my calendar. This way it forces me to actually follow through with my overall strategy. If I don’t, life gets in the way and nothing seems to happen.
Set a goal or two for yourself as well. It could be getting rid of that horrible wallpaper and painting the bathroom, or rearranging the living room and getting rid of that old, ratty sofa. Have fun with your plans and if you are brave, make it a family project. If not, just enjoy doing it yourself. Just don’t do that “Trading Spaces” technique and throw fate to the wind, allowing your neighbors to redecorate for you. It makes for fun television but it could hardly be good for the cul-de-sac.
Enjoy spring and its always-renewing sense of great beginnings!
Rich Schell is the owner of Rich Designs Home located at 1731 Mount Washington Avenue in Colorado Springs. Visit RichDesignsGallery.com.
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