Transitional seems to be an everyday word used in the design industry lately. Wanting an updated look for a traditional home, or to give a contemporary style a timeless touch, transitional seems to be on everyone’s mind. Line, texture and pattern play a large part in mixing styles.

This Tuxedo Sofa from Massoud Furniture has the perfect crisp lines that fit your contemporary style. Add classic rich chenill wide stripes and animal print throw pillows and you can easily put this in any traditional home for a quick modern update.

Again, from Massoud Furniture, I took a classic sofa with dark wood turned legs and soft curved arms that make a large impact. A crisp, clean seafoam green fabric and modern large print pillows pull together a great transitional piece.

This chair has a large crisp print, yet in a classic pattern, it once again is a great transitional piece. Use dark wood for a deep contrast or a light wood for a softer touch.

My favorite, the Timeless Wing Back Chair, mixed with a soft medium grey upholstry, a striped throw pillow and black wood legs, you can put this, well, just about anywhere!

Thankfully, we have moved on. Depending on your interpretation of modern versus contemporary the modern trend has shifted from the wild of hanging chairs to sleek and functional. Minimalist designs represent an attitude of “less is more.” Moreover, being modern or contemporary does not mean you have to live in Gordon Gecko’s apartment for your chair to work. In fact, modern style offers an extremely broad range of chairs that will fit in a variety of application.

First, find what your style fits your eye. If you enjoy Country Living, maybe modern is not you. Do you like the look of fabric and clean lines? Try something more upholstered and blockish. For instance this Ralph Lauren chair is clean in its design. While not being over the top it does clean up the look of a living room and add an edge of style.

Possibly consider adding in metal or other elements to the equation to make a bolder statement. This Hugo Cigar chair is a staple which has shown to stand the test of time, yet is extremely comfortable and affordable for the amount of style you add.

Secondly, determine how long you would like to keep your modern furnishings. The more outlandish and stylish options you choose, the more chance you take on having a hanging bubble chair still in your house in twenty years.

Lastly, take your chair for a spin. Some chairs look different and uncomfortable but remember: modern style typically stems from function. The function here is sitting so it might be better than you think…

With a name like Eheart, February is practically our month!  This month, we’re rolling out the best of this month of love with great deals in our showroom to complement what we’ll be talking about on our blog.  Here’s what we’ve got planned for the month:

• Creating spaces you’ll love forever.  Our designers will walk you through timeless materials, layouts, and lines that you’ll love forever!
• Define a style.  We’ll show you what Romantic and Feminine styling are and how to get that look in your home.
• Bedrooms you’ll love to be together in.  We’ll unpack the basics of designing a bedroom you’ll love to be with your hunny in.  You’ll find bedding, super cute throw pillows, and bedroom furniture that will make you swear off blah bedroom sets forever.
• Invite.  In our ongoing series, Invite, we’ll be giving you ideas for creating romantic spaces at home–that perfect master bath gets a distinctive spa feel, your dining room will become your favorite romantic restaurant, and much more!
• Colors of Love.  Pantone named Hibiscus the Color of the Year for 2011.  Confused how to incorporate this bold pink into your home?  We’ll show you how!
• Designer Turn-Offs.  We’ve seen it all, but we’re taking a playful stab at the design faux pauxs we just can’t bear to see anymore with a daily “designer turn off.”