PAGE 98-99 in Gabby Chapter 10 Catalog
Once upon a time well-designed homes meant furniture that matched perfectly. People bought furnishings in sets, much like they did their china. The sofa fabric matched the chair fabric and all the tables, chests, and bookcases were cut from the same tree. Accent pillows matched art, art matched paint colors, and paint colors matched drapery. In those homes, style was easily defined. Rooms were characteristically English, Country, Modern, French, and Traditional—among others. While these designs remain pretty and classic, a new genre has entered the design world—the transitional home.
With transitional design, rooms no longer have to fit a textbook definition of style. “I love the versatility and the functionality that Gabby provides. Their transitional lines can go with the contemporary or traditional look I want to achieve. I love to mix everything up. It’s hard to stick with just one style if you want to give a room personality,” says interior designer Jan Ware of Jan Ware Designs (janwaredesigns.com).
Fresh, inventive, personal, and timeless, the transitional home is a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Gabby Furniture has perfected the art of transitional style with furnishings that cue classic lines while updating them for modern living. The furnishings are chameleons of sorts. They work with a variety of styles—making them as welcome as that perfect party guest who is comfortable in any crowd.
Focusing on texture, finishes, and details, Gabby offers pieces that are meant to mix and mingle—with each other and personal collections. Designers love Gabby for their inspired designs that work with many styles and can easily be layered for a collected, personal approach to design.
Lam Bespoke (lambespoke.com), a design gallery in Houston, Texas, that carries Gabby shares the Gabby design philosophy:
“Lam Bespoke began with one central concept: to offer furnishings that are as inspirational and beautiful as they are comfortable. Though times and trends change, classic forms never age. We showcase timeless elegance in our custom upholstery and pair them with thoughtfully selected furniture and decor. The ultimate goal is to create a curated look that reflects the familiarity of home. While we realize this idea varies for each family, we aim to provide design-led pieces you will feel compelled to collect.”
Blogger Kerrie Kelly (kerriekelly.com/blog) writes: (houzz.com)
“Transitional style is a marriage of traditional and modern furniture, finishes, materials, and fabrics. The result is an elegant, enduring design that is both comfortable and classic. Whereas traditional and modern schemes may introduce a few opposing elements in their designs, transitional style strikes the perfect balance between the two. Through its simple lines, neutral color scheme, and use of light and warmth, transitional style joins the best of both the traditional and modern worlds.”
Transitional style’s greatest strength is that it is rooted in classic design. Says blogger and author Jennifer Boles (thepeakofchic.blogspot.com) in her book, In With The Old, “Sometimes something old requires a little tweaking, through color, finish, or scale, to transform it into something altogether new.”
Discover the details of classic design that inspired these new Gabby originals.
Acanthus Leaf
The Acanthus leaf motif has been a part of the decorative arts since ancient times. The Greeks and Romans were particularly fond of carving this ornament in the capitals of Corinthian columns and friezes. Today, the motif continues to be a favorite in architectural embellishments, furniture, fabrics, and decorative accents.
PHOTO OF KATRINA CHANDELIER
The Katrina Chandelier crafted from iron, resin, and tin displays classic lines, a turned center, and acanthus leaf embellishments on each arm. Because of its generous proportions, this chandelier would work perfectly over a dining table or in a master bedroom.
PHOTO OF JANIE LAMP
The showpiece on the Janie Lamp is the reproduction artifact—an acanthus leaf that appears to be centuries old thanks to a carefully applied finish that gives it a wonderful patina. Make a statement by using it in a vignette with a stack of books and art object.
Greek Key
Originating with the ancients, the Greek key is an ornamental motif that graces architecture and decorative arts. The geometrical design is made of continuous right angle lines. Representing infinity and unity, the design is a perennial favorite in interiors, architecture, fabrics, and even gardens (think boxwoods!).
Source: Things That Inspire
PHOTO OF GREEK KEY CAPITAL (http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2007/08/greek-key.html)
PHOTO OF THE GEORGE LAMP
The George Lamp exhibits a solid iron base that forms the traditional Greek key pattern. With its antique gold and rusty black patina, the design and finish works well with traditional or contemporary interiors. Because of its symmetry, this lamp would work great in pairs on bedside tables or a console.
PHOTO OF THE HODGES SIDE TABLE
With strong geometry and bold lines, the Hodges Side Table makes a big statement in contemporary and transitional spaces. The oak finish inset with black lacquer further adds to this dramatic piece.
PHOTO OF THE MAXIMUS TABLE
Crossing all design boundaries, the Maximus Table is at-once elegant, graphic, and modern. Crafted in iron and finished in antique gold, it also employs a mirrored top for an element of glamour.
Rosettes
Photo: Rosette Public Domain Image
Inspired by the rose, the stylized rosette heralds from the ancient Greeks and the Middle Eastern region formerly known as Mesopotamia. Its popularity remained strong through the Romaneseque and Renaissance periods, and also extended as far as India. Carved in stone or wood, the design was used at intersecting points or to form decorative borders.
PHOTO OF LANDRY SIDE TABLE
The Landry Side Table exhibits several hallmarks of traditional design making it ideal for transitional homes. The white washed table with mahogany top showcases French-inspired fluted legs, nailhead trim, and a pullout shelf above a single paneled door. In the center of the door front, a single rosette is a perfectly placed adornment.
PHOTO OF AVA MIRROR
The Ava Mirror showcases four carved rosettes anchoring each corner of the trim. With its layered distressed finish, raised molding, and antiqued mirror, the Ava Mirror could easily be mistaken for an antique, but its clean lines and linear style root it in transitional design.
PHOTO OF ELIZABETH SIDE TABLE
The Elizabeth Side Table, with its X-leg design uses rosettes in a classically purposeful way. Three iron rosettes are set at intersecting lines for added support and decoration. The limestone top and trim along the edge offers added dimension.
Trestle Tables
Heralding from the Middle Ages, the trestle table was used for its ease of assembly and storage. The standard design consisted of three loose boards laid over sturdy bases connected by a long cross support. Because of the central support, there is room for more people at each end. (No one will bump into a table leg!) Remaining in vogue in European design and early American styles, the traditional trestle design eventually became more of a permanent piece that was regarded for its size and stability.
PHOTO OF ADAMS DINING TABLE
The Adams Dining Table is a terrific example of a modern take on the trestle table. Using three solid wood supports, the top is permanent. Instead of three boards per tradition, Gabby designed a wood top with interesting detail. The steely pewter finish lends itself to easily mix with metallic accents.
For seating, try the Ward Dining Chairs on each and mix in upholstered head chairs for a great transitional look.
PHOTO PAGE 90 in Chapter Ten Catalog
For a more casual feel, choose the resin wicker and hide Smith Chair to sit at each end.
Nailhead Trim
Nailhead trim, a decorative element in design, once served a singular purpose; it disguised the line where upholstery was tacked into place on the wooden furniture frame.
Historians believe that nailheads on furniture begun in 17th century France when over-the-top luxury and opulence drove design. Today, the tacks still serve a purpose, but more and more designers are using them as decorative flourishes to personalize upholstery and more.
PHOTO OF LUTHER CABINET
Used to accentuate the linen cutouts fronting the drawers in the Ludow Cabinet, nailheads add visual texture. Dark tacks are a standout against the dusty gray finish giving the detail even more prominence.
PHOTO OF LYNN OTTOMAN
On the Lynn Ottoman, nailheads trim out the rectangular base in double rows. The straight lines and metal tacks provide contrast to the the tufted seat for a perfect transitional balance between contemporary styling and tradition.
PHOTO OF BALDWIN SETEE
Gabby created the Baldwin collection of seating offering not only custom fabric choices, but a choice of nailhead trim designs. (See all 3 trims on Page 112 of Gabby Chapter 10 Catalog).
PHOTO OF QUINN HEADBOARD
Nailheads make a striking pattern on headboards. Gabby offers a variety of styles both simple and detailed.
Drum Table
Introduced in the late 18th century, the drum table has become an essential side table in living rooms. Originally designed for playing a card game and often outfitted with faux drawers, the occasional table now serves as the perfect armchair accessory for holding books, cocktails, or morning coffee. Mix and match drum tables and place them within easy reach of seating. http://www.britannica.com/topic/drum-table
PHOTO OF ELLA SIDE TABLE
Intersecting iron ovals connect to create the barrel for this drum table. A smooth oak top adds softness. Try using this table in the same space with a solid base for contrast.
X Design
The very simple X is a natural design for supporting tabletops or seating. The basic styling made the X base a favorite during both ancient and modern times. It’s a straight-forward shape that easily transitions between modern and traditional interiors.
PHOTO OF BECKWITH TABLE
The Beckwith table uses a trio of X bases to support a wood tabletop. To balance the strong graphics, try using it in a room with soft seating.
PHOTO OF ALEXANDER WALL TABLE
Crafted from oak and marble, the Alexander Wall Table offers the X design in a softer finish thanks to the light oak finish and diamond pattern embellishments. A marble top gives it a cool hand.
JANET BUNCHING TABLE
The bold silhouette of the Janet Bunching Table crafted from mirrored sheet metal strikes a clean line in any design. Try pairing two or three together to form a coffee table. Use a pair at the foot of the bed to serve as a bench or a place to hold books.
By Cathy Still McGowin
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