Contemporary and transitional are distinct, but related design styles that share many commonalities. The main focus is on balance: not too cold, not too formal. It often has clean, sleek lines and is marked by solid colors, mainly muted neutrals with some bold punches of color in furniture and accessories. Furniture is sleek, lower to the ground and often has metal frames or straight legs with an emphasis on basic shapes and forms.  Graphic elements in artwork or accessories work well with this look.  Leather ottomans used as coffee tables is also very popular in this décor.

To get this look, almost all stores focus on this style, however Crate and Barrel, Dwell Studios and Williams-Sonoma Home epitomize the look best.

This transitional living room has all the core elements of this style – neutral furnishings, couch has clean lines balanced out by the more traditional but updated wing back chairs, bold red walls and punches of color in the pillows.

This living room example perfectly balances traditional with more modern pieces.  It depicts the contemporary chic design style with white walls, more traditional roll arm sofa and punches of color in a side chair, pillows, and artwork.  The clean, square lines of the feature mirror wall are echoed in the very airy black framed cocktail table.  A persian rug was used to bring in a traditional element to juxtapose the more modern coffee table.

This idea board shows an example of how one can create the contemporary chic look in their own home

Dwell Studios Langford Sofa,  WS Home Hand Knotted Snakeskin Rug, Gray, Crate and Barrel Elke Glass Coffee Table, WS Home Geoffrey Swivel Chair, Candelabra Currey and Company Zenda Orb Chandelier, Dwell Studios Viviene End Table,  Artwork from Minted – Arm In Arm by Jennifer Daily, Mirror – Candelabra Dovetail Saltoun Mirror, B&W Artwork – Minted Drawing 340 – Grasping Man