Staging in a Global Transitional Style
We love to mix styles — modern, vintage, contemporary, you name it — and when we first saw this urban farmhouse spec home from developer team Blu and White Homes, we knew we wanted to take it in a new direction. We’ve staged numerous homes for this team in modern farmhouse, Mid Century modern, East Coast beachy, Venice Beach modern and Spanish modern. But we wanted to bring a global transitional style to this new project. So, it was off to the races for us with an organic mix of textural and global elements from far-flung places. Photography by Christopher Lee Foto, unless otherwise noted.
The family room featured this awesome black vertical shiplap fireplace wall — and we wanted to accent it while also playing off the light and dark contrast of the room. A deep white linen sofa anchors the space, while walnut-wood Mid Century modern armchairs and a large square coffee table bring an accommodating warmth. A seagrass rug layered with a cowhide adds texture.
We love styling coffee tables — especially large square ones — with a multitude of interesting books and objects. Here we chose a large free-form teak bowl, a crackle-glaze ceramic, two stacks of large-scale coffee table books and an interesting matte black-and-brass spiky object. Because, well, every coffee table needs a spiky object!
The natural fiber pendants over the kitchen island and black-framed patio doors inspired our color scheme of warm neutrals — and our choice of materials. Globally-influenced tribal patterns abound on pillows and in baskets. Oversized leafy branches spread out on countertops and earth tones are employed in each room.
The open-concept kitchen featured light ash-finished cabinets and a fresh white subway tile backsplash. We played off these tones with organically shaped counter stools and simple, earthy kitchen accessories, with plenty of wood and textural basket weave.
We absolutely LOVE this breakfast nook — and its amazing light fixture. We played off the black-and-light contrast with tall-backed Windsor chairs and an industrial round table. Fresh green leaves in glass demijohns accent countertops.
In the formal living room, this massive capiz shell chandelier holds court above a room we accented with soft muted red tones. A hand-knotted Tibetan rug from Pottery Barn lays down a global vibe — helped along by the origami-style coffee table. Matte black in the form of a floor lamp ties into the home’s matte black finishes. Here, a simple off-white linen sofa with transitional lines is a fresh choice.
These transitional chairs caught our eye for their simple honest lines and metal tube-work frame. Leather detailing on the arms ups the cozy factor and ties into the leather mirror over the fireplace. On the hearth, an antique dough bowl holds a stack of birch logs.
Off the formal living room is the dining room. This space called for a mix of elegant pieces to tie in with the light fixture — and the rustic quality of reclaimed wood to take it down a few notches. Here, we chose a MEVA International dining table with a transitional-style upholstered dining chair. Underneath it all, a Scandi-neutral rug with pom-pom fringe. On the tabletop, some softly muted red tones tie in with the adjacent living room.
The large art was sourced from Juniper Print Shop and framed in an IKEA frame. We love the rich tonal quality of this art and how perfectly it captures our muted rosy reds.
In the master bath, a Mid Century modern style ottoman contributes a modern note to an urban farmhouse tub and light ash cabinets. Turkish towels in a warm neutral, large eucalyptus leaves and simple honest bath accessories finish out the look.
Photo by Adam Taylor
Patio furniture by Modway and Target combine with a cool woven outdoor pouf from Gold Leaf Design Group. Home Goods supplied the outdoor coffee table.
Photo by Adam Taylor
The farmhouse feel extends to the backyard of this modern spec home. We paired white Windsor chairs with a reclaimed wood top patio table next to the well-equipped outdoor kitchen.