The living room in Joanna Gaines' stunning Castle project is so effortlessly transitional – embracing the home's stunning architecture and adding in her iconic modern rustic style

When mixing old and new styles, the key is for it to feel effortless. And the living room of The Castle, designed by Joanna Gaines, is a lesson in making this tricky balance look totally easy and natural.

Also known as transitional design, the mixing of styles and eras can be found throughout the whole of The Castle. Joanna is, of course, known for her love of mixing modern and rustic, but in the living room, the mix is even more layered, bringing in touches of mid-century modern, plus some really luxurious pieces that nod to the room's grand architecture.

Here, we take a tour of the space, learning what makes this transitional space work and how to recreate this effortlessly layered look.

Built in 1890, The Castle is an example of the Gilded Age's immense wealth and architectural progression. Joanna began renovating the building in 2019, using her eclectic eye to bring the interiors back to life.

Joanna Gaines's Castle entryway connects to the transitional living room. It's undoubtedly one of the grandest rooms on the property as it embraces the original architecture, only enhanced by the mix of old and new decor.

While many may be tempted to go down the traditional route (it is a castle after all), Joanna stayed true to her style, making the space feel refreshed and contemporary. Following vintage furniture trends as well as current ones, she's incorporated a pair of antique-style leather armchairs to go alongside a sleek velvet sofa. A curved brass coffee table brings the two styles together, acting as a source of storage as well as an area for more chic decor.

Joanna has definitely considered all of the transitional style decorating rules by ensuring that she's balanced the modern decor with rustic pieces. Nodding to the grandeur of the living room, Joanna has featured a classic mantel clock that ties in with the 19th-century style, along with a vintage easel holding a scenic landscape. To balance this out, she's scattered metallic decor, like the candle sconces and statement chandelier, lifting the darker wood and setting the more contemporary, luxurious tone of the space.

The living room (like much of the property) features original wood paneling. Following a transitional color scheme, Joanna cleverly lifted this room (unlike the dark wood hallway and dining room) with muted gray paint, highlighting the architecture while giving the space a refreshed, airy feel. The rest of the walls have been painted white, adding to the room's brightness.

Tying the room together and adding to the uplifting feel, Joanna has incorporated a few different types of greenery, from the large potted tree in the corner to the leafy plant on the coffee table, channeling nature and adding pockets of freshness.

Shop the look

Joanna has perfectly balanced current trends with a traditional feel, creating an uplifting and inspiring living space that embraces The Castle's stunning architecture. Recreating the transitional look is about embracing new pieces (as well as old), for even the most traditional settings.