Transitional style is a relatively new addition to the design world, with its origins tracing back to the 1950s and the post-modernism era that quickly ensued. It is a marriage of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, materials and fabrics equating to a classic, timeless design. While traditional design can sometimes feel prim and stuffy, and modern design can lean too heavily on the sleek and streamlined look, transitional design samples elements from each aesthetic to form an equally classic and fresh feel. Think of transitional design as having the best of both worlds. Furniture lines are simple yet sophisticated, featuring either straight lines or rounded profiles. The transitional palette relies on a lack of colour to evoke a clean, serene atmosphere. Dark brown can add depth to a neutral balance of taupe, tan and vanilla. An overall muted scheme heavy on the neutrals with darker colours reserved for accent pieces. Curves are combined with straight lines in a transitional style interior. The look balances both masculine and feminine attributes for a comfortably contemporary design. The scale of the pieces is ample but not intimidating. A lack of ornamentation and decoration keeps the focus on the simplicity and sophistication of the design.