Transitional interiors can meld couple's tastes

It is not rare for couples to spar over interior design style for their homes - some preferring traditional interiors and others sympathizing with the slick lines of contemporary interiors. Architecture should be the main factor in deciding which way to go. Of course, interior designers know that they can be called to play the role of professional mediator. In cases where the architecture plays second fiddle to the furnishings, especially condominiums, designers will often be the proponents of transitional interiors. These are projects that can be classical or traditional in essence, but they are referred to as "a new take on a classic" or "traditional interiors with a contemporary spin."

In transitional design, you can blend traditional pieces of furniture, even antiques, with contemporary furniture. There are many ways to achieve a transitional scheme. The first, and easiest, way is to select new upholstery pieces with simple geometric designs and mix them with traditional case goods. If the case goods are the same color of stain or finish, it pulls together an aesthetically cohesive look. Another approach is to take your existing traditional upholstered furniture, for example a wingback and a camelback sofa, and reupholster them in a contemporary printed or solid fabric in an unexpected color, conversely mixed with modern case goods in matching finishes.

Midway between a room full of rich-looking antiques or chrome and glass, transitional interior design sets out to satisfy both styles. Likewise, window treatments also reflect transitional design. Simpler side panels and hardware are favored instead of the layered and swaged window treatments favored by traditional design. Hardware is usually wood or metal with some contemporary decorative finial. Sheer fabrics that were once relegated as bottom treatments now take center stage and are used to give rooms a continuous elegant flowing backdrop treatment worthy of a Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movie set.

Art can also play a part in creating your transitional room. Where in traditional interiors a smaller, detail-oriented work of art might be the way to go, transitional interior call for larger, bolder pieces of art. Large-scale photographs have also become a preferred art form in transitional interiors.

Accessories help define transitional interior design. Simple accessories such a crystal vase and a clean-lined objet d'art are the preferred treatment. Lamps and chandeliers are used in transitional interiors, but they are lighter in design and feel by using leaded glass, Lucite and fine porcelain mixed with chrome and brass.

Transitional design aspires to be timeless elegance. It is for people who appreciate where they grew up, but they are now looking make to it their own.

• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla.

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