The Transitional Touch Trending in Interior Design

After years of crisp white interior aesthetics, a new, more inviting sensibility has taken hold. Homeowners are seeking spaces that feel layered and deeply personal—sophisticated yet approachable. This shift is beautifully embodied in the work of Gonyea Custom Homes, whose recent build for an Artisan Home Tour showcases a masterful use of warmer whites, organic materiality, and an understanding of how a home can feel refined and elegant, but also cozy and inviting.

We’ll start in the kitchen because it’s the heart of any home. Here, Sherwin Williams Alabaster painted cabinetry sets the tone. Gonyea designer Lauren Wynia says this warm but balanced paint color is a tried and true soft white. “We use it on trim and millwork. It’s a winner for us,” she says. A matching paneled refrigerator—a hallmark of bespoke kitchens—is not only a timeless choice but also significantly reduces visual noise with an uninterrupted expanse of cabinetry that flanks the large kitchen windows.

A clever design element was placing the range on the perimeter under the street-facing kitchen windows. This unusual but intentional placement is all about the home’s backyard views. Because, directly across from the kitchen island are the dining and living spaces with even larger lookout windows and backyard nature views. “People tend to stand at the sink longer than the stove,” says Wynia. So, she didn’t want a range hood over the kitchen island that would interrupt a connection between the spaces as well as the home’s backyard nature views. Wynia solved this by instead floating the range hood virtually unnoticed in front of the front kitchen window.

The kitchen’s gray/green island base has storage on both sides and is topped with a perfectly contrasting Cambria quartz design, Delgatie. “Most homes we’ve built over the past five years have quartz countertops,” says Wynia. “It’s low maintenance for people with kids, or for people who just want to live. And [Delgatie] is one of my favorites because of its soft, warm colors and subtle movement. It’s a showpiece without needing to be bold. It’s very timeless.”

Wynia chose polished nickel fixtures because they “look clean and crisp but with a warmer undertone than chrome. It honors the current gold-tone trend but in a softer way.” Then there is warmth in the wood flooring and stained wood ceiling beams that connect the kitchen and dining areas.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a scullery. Unlike a pantry, a scullery is typically distinguished by having a sink, making it a functional extension of the main kitchen. This galley-style space features floor-to-ceiling cabinets in a slightly lighter shade of the gray/green than what’s on the kitchen island, along with some shiplap detailing that’s carried throughout the home, subtly linking the spaces in a cohesive narrative.

As we journey into the dining room, an area that feels connected yet distinct, this home opts for intimacy over sprawling expansiveness. Wynia challenged convention by hanging three pendant lights at random heights over the dining table, creating an organic, sculptural focal point that doesn’t block any views. And note the complementary transoms above the dining room windows and the adjoining patio doors.

The living room is a masterclass in quintessential cozy. A large firebox and stone hearth is flanked by custom bookcases and tucked in reading nooks perfect for curling up with your favorite romance novel or providing additional seating for guests without any need for excess furniture. Natural light cascades through large windows while layered materials and lighting add texture, warmth, and ambience options for every mood.

Finally, we arrive at the primary bathroom, a sanctuary of tranquility. Remember when double sinks were the epitome of luxury for couples? Well, double vanities give couples even more personal space. These dark-stained walnut vanities are topped with Cambria’s Annaleigh quartz design in a Cambria Luxe™ finish. Wynia says, “the higher-gloss finish reflects light, brightening the space, which speaks to why I love it.”

Polished nickel and gold fixtures combine with fabric sconce shades that add a touch of softness. And the curvature of the bathroom mirrors match the curves in the faucet spouts and the fabrication of the sink cutouts in the vanity tops, creating a serene environment free of too many harsh angles. More vertical shiplap wood-paneling draws the eye upward in a simple yet impactful way to add texture. But the standout feature in this in-home getaway is the soaking tub with a second story view that makes it seem as if you’re bathing in a treehouse retreat.

Throughout this home, Gonyea Custom Homes embraces a warm white color palette, layers of textures and lighting, and durable, maintenance-free materials like Cambria quartz surfaces. By prioritizing livability while not sacrificing luxury and style, this home is a beautiful blueprint for creating transitional spaces that are not only stylish but genuinely a pleasure to live in.