Traditions in Style

Moving from one passage to another is called a transition. Home décor trends are undergoing transitions right now. Outdoor dining replaces indoor dining. Landscape paintings come down and abstract art goes up. Contemporary furnishings mix in with traditional pieces evolving into a style known as transitional.

Urban Home met with Layton Campbell, buyer, manager at Bella Casa and degreed interior designer, to learn more about transitional styles. Bella Casa offers a discovery at every turn, with handmade scented soaps, unusual gifts and fine European style furnishings. Layton has traveled the East Coast for the last decade creating beautiful homes from the Hamptons to New York to Georgia and back.

Today, cleaner lines are being combined with Old World style and Layton loves it all. “I can set a mirrored lamp on top of a French console and it’s an instant updated look.” By mixing old styles with the new, a passage from one era and one style to another is created.

“People want a little brightness when they come home from work,” explains Layton. “With the state of the world, there are so many heavy situations. We need a lift, some lightness, some shine.” Metallic surfaces, mirrored furnishings, reflective objects and silver are all current trends. “Art glass, Murano glass, mercury glass will all add a touch of class to a setting,” Layton asserts.

“Here in the South, I’ve helped clients with their decorating needs in Kiawah Island, Seabrook, Lake Norman, Ballantyne, Myers Park and Longview. The homes range from uptown Charlotte penthouses to South Charlotte English Tudor styled homes,” he adds, “I travel and work on complete home projects from drapery to upholstery. For smaller projects, folks bring in digital images for consultations. When people are beaming, I know I touched their lives by helping to mold their homes.”

This fall, Bella Casa is undergoing a transition of its own. Opening a second location on Providence Road, across from the Rosewood condominiums, Bella Casa will be able to serve the needs of the older Charlotte neighborhoods and the condominium crowd.

With the color palette on the cooler side infused with cleaner lines, Layton emphasizes, “Our signature European style still reigns supreme.” Both shops will carry different pieces to encourage clients to visit both locales.

Visit Bella Casa at 10225 Park Road or call them at 704-759-9449. Their new store is located at Providence Plaza, 2927 Providence Road, Suite 102.

Design Tips for Transitional Décor

• Mix clean lined accessories with antique furniture
• Use lighter paint colors
• Use plenty of lamp light to set the mood
• Use floral arrangements with one style of flower and one primary color
• Use area rugs with simple patterns with transitional furnishings