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“Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity!”More than 150 years ago Henry David Thoreau claimed that the secret to a fulfilling life was to live with few

possessions to make room for deep thought and reflection. Today, with so many of us trying to simplify our

lives, that philosophy is as relevant as ever.

In the last few years the architectural pendulum has begun to swing back from the opulent home styles of

the 1980s and ’90s to more simplistic lines and finishings that harken back to the post-WWII minimalistic

movement. “The days of Gordon Gecko are over,” says architect Patrick Ahearn of Patrick Ahearn Architect

LLC. “People used to want grandiose houses that showed off their wealth, but now they want quality homes

that are more understated with clean lines and indoor/outdoor living spaces—classic on the outside with a

more edited interior.”

Less More

PAT T Y L E N Z B O V I E writer

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“We call it a transitional style,” explains architect Jan Gleysteen of Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc. “It has the

warmth of traditional with more modern lines.” No fancy moldings. No ornate mantles. Mullioned windows.

Lots of natural materials. “Our younger clients want the same thing—clean, white, uncluttered rooms.”

Transitional vs. ModernMany people confuse this new look with modern, but it’s quite different. “The modern movement grew out

of Walter Gropius’ Bauhaus and it was in vogue in the 1930s and ’40s,” says Ahearn. Flat-roofed houses,

geometric designs, and the use of glass, steel, and concrete are typical of the modern style. “But modern

architecture is not designed for humans to habitate,” notes Gleysteen. “It’s like living in a museum.”

Local architects and builders weigh in on the latest home design trend

( L T O R ) P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F :

C A R P E N T E R & M A C N E I L L E P H O T O B Y R I C H A R D M A N D E L K O R N

T H E L A G A S S É G R O U P

J A N G L E Y S T E E N A R C H I T E C T S

J A C O B L I L L E Y A R C H I T E C T S P H O T O B Y E R I C R O T H P H O T O G R A P H Y

P A T R I C K A H E A R N P H O T O B Y A N T H O N Y C R I S A F U L L I

C U T T I N G E D G E H O M E S P H O T O B Y P A T R I C K O ’ M A L L E Y

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The transitional style on the other hand is about stripping a design

form down to its bare essentials to reveal its essence. The goal is to create

a more efficient, streamlined living space that reflects the way we live

today. By focusing on what’s most important, architects can create pro-

verbial “white space” in the homes they design and build.

Today, raw and rustic materials, uncomplicated cladding and wall

finishes, and lots of natural light have begun to take the place of orna-

mental tile, bulky granite countertops, and intricate woodwork.

Simple not SterileAs clean and uncluttered as transitional architecture is, it’s not stark

and severe the way modern design can be. “Simple doesn’t mean a

space has to feel cold and sterile,” explains architect Jacob Lilley, princi-

pal architect of Jacob Lilley Architects. “It’s quite the opposite, actually.”

Unadorned details that give a room a chance to breathe, and the strate-

gic use of materials like stone and weathered wood for visual interest,

texture, and personality can instill a sense of warmth.

Gleysteen notes, “We might add a barn door that slides on a track,

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Less is More

salvaged wood on an exposed rack, hand-

blown glass lighting fixtures, or a primal fire-

place with rocky stone—elements that evoke

nature. The look is refreshing and clean.” It’s

also inviting and warm.

“When there’s less in a room, everything in

it becomes more important,” says Lilley. But

achieving simplicity is harder than it looks. “All

the lines have to be completely straight, and

you can’t rely on crown moldings to hide any

imperfections,” explains Michael T. Gray, man-

aging director and senior architect at Carpenter

& MacNeille Architects and Builders. “It takes

a lot of attention to build simply.”

Paul Lagassé, marketing director and proj-

ect manager at The Lagassé Group, agrees.

“The challenge is to conceal features that

would otherwise be highlighted in a more

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traditional home such as architectural grilles,

shades, doors, and door hardware. These still

need to be present for the home to function,

but the more out-of-sight they can be, the

cleaner the home will feel.”

This new transitional look is not just tied

to the finishes like tiles, faucets, lighting, and

fixtures, but also to a home’s layout. Ahearn

points out, “A traditional home might have a

center hallway with rooms off it, but clients

don’t want rooms they’re not going to use.

When I was growing up, my living room was

roped off with plastic seat covers on the furni-

ture, and we only used it once a year. No one

wants to live like that anymore.”

What’s Driving This Trend?Marie Kondo’s best-selling book, The Life-

Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese

Art of Decluttering and Organizing (Ten Speed

Press, 2014), encourages readers to remove

the clutter in our homes and keep only those

possessions that “spark joy.” Kondo says tidy-

ing up allows us to lead more peaceful, fulfill-

ing lives, with a greater appreciation for the

things we have—much like Thoreau.

Scandinavian design is also playing a role.

“It has the fundamental principles we all

love — natural light, space that breathes, a

sense of calmness,” explains Lilley. Similarly,

brands like Apple, with the clean feel and

fewer buttons have helped popularize this

contemporary look.

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But perhaps the greatest influence is the younger generation. Many

millennials who have grown up with overly decorated homes are

embracing a simpler style. “We’re working with younger clients who are

more mobile and tech savvy and want more streamlined living,” says

Gray. “This “i-generation” grew up in the McMansion era, and they

want homes that are efficient with smarter layouts, touch screens, and

integrated systems. They don’t want flamboyancy or opulent millwork.”

Lilley adds, “Many of us are recognizing that we have a lot of stuff and

just don’t need it all. We have crazy busy lives and we’re looking for a

way to simplify them.”

A Hybrid ApproachSimplifying your home doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can focus

on a room or two instead of streamlining the whole house. One of

Gray’s clients wanted a quiet “Zen room,” which felt like a natural exten-

sion of their traditional home. “People don’t want to change their floor

plans,” adds Gleysteen. They want their homes to feel more open and

airy. Sometimes a hybrid approach is the answer.

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“Nowadays some people no longer want a formal living space or

dining space,” says Lilley. But they may live in a traditional home. One

of Lilley’s clients had a lot of modern art in their 100-year-old home,

and Lilley suggested a contemporary addition. “We opened up the back

and eroded the wall, adding 36 feet of glass. From the street it still looks

like a classic home, but it’s been adapted to include a more minimalist

setting.” It’s the best of both worlds.

Sean Cutting, president of Cutting Edge Homes, Inc. says, “We’ve

found that when it comes to design and building, more and more of our

clients want their homes to be as timeless as possible. The more subtle

the details and the cleaner the lines, the more it looks like our additions

have always been there. Subway titles, shaker cabinets, and oak floors

are all classic. And white kitchens never go out of style.”

Gray recently completed a 1880s shingle-style project. “We stripped

down the kitchen and opened up a lot of walls, making the interior very

open while respecting the exterior of the home.” Details like waterfall

edges on islands, hardware-less cabinetry, and solid backsplashes in

place of tiles help keep things uncluttered.

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A New Way of Life“Since so many of us are working 24 x 7, mak-

ing our homes calm and comforting has never

been more important,” adds Cutting. Lagassé

says, “When a home is stripped back to its

basic functional elements, there’s no sense of

distraction. Instead, there’s a pervasive airi-

ness and brightness throughout, signaling a

newness and an eye towards the future.”

Trends may come and go, but this simpler

“transitional” style is more than a fad. It’s a

way of life that is helping to create a sense of

balance in our chaotic, busy lives. Based on its

growing popularity and the understated prac-

ticality of living with less, it looks like it’s here

to stay.

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