Moving on
We recently sold a house that was a classic mid-century in a neighborhood a bit too remote… missing the right “walking score.” I loved the place because it was near the water and had planned for several years to do a substantial remodel. I had sketched plans, hired an architect – even purchased the appliances (warehouse sale!) But, after 4 years, it was clear that not only my wife, but even my children had come to hate the place. So, in spite of this terrible real estate market, we put the house up for sale and, rather surprised, we received an offer. As they say, everything is relative. We took this price haircut, deducted it from the asking price of a house we had looked at a few times, and a deal was done. We are now in an old established neighborhood (which I have to admit I love), in a very traditional 1928 brick manor house.

Unpacking the Antiques

We had lived in a few traditional homes over the years and had collected art, furnishings, etc… that had long been in storage.

My wife could not stop herself from unpacking these long stored gems and all the antiques from our past lives began to fill the place.

I hated it.

Not this again

After much anguish and a house that was taking the shape of a knick-knack store, we invited a designer friend over to intermediate. Before that meeting, I had not heard the term “transitional style”. She was brave knowing just how set in our ways and equally inflexible we both were. At any rate, she heard us out and came back a few days later with fabrics, paint suggestions, rug samples, and even some stone samples for a kitchen facelift.

Enter “Transitional”

To date, the walls are painted, the new rugs have arrived, the counters for the kitchen have been selected, we’re on the final stretch of light fixture selection.

While not having ordered yet sofa, tables, chairs, we have fabric samples to illustrate the color palette for the upholstered furniture and draperies.
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An Elegant Balance between Past and Present

This look has all the earmarks of an upper-east-side apartment in a pre-war building. Contemporary, but not hard edged. Subtle curves, muted color palettes, modern art, antique mirrors, current modern lamps and lighting. While furnishings and lighting are definitely clean lined and leaning contemporary, the rugs are the hand tied, vegetable died Persian antique reproductions in muted tones. The Calvin Klein drape fabric has a sophisticated sheen and will hang straight – not quite touching the floor. We’ve kept an old Swedish clock and ornate mirror for the entry. Several bookcases done in metal and glass fill a wall with books. And a metal based, glass topped coffee table makes a lighter and more sophisticated replacement to it’s predessesor.

Marriage Saved!

There’s still the dining room with its current Georgian pedestal table (and what to do with it). But it appears we are going to survive this further test after 18 years of marriage. And with no hope of gain, the temptation is gone to sell, buy, renovate, sell… does anyone even remember that?

Michael Samsel is a writer on the subjects of home design and green home practices. A co-founder of StylishHome.com, its “good design” mission emphasizes individual design personality, the eclectic and hand-made, and a commitment to green home pursuits.