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Tuesday, June 5th, 2018
Winners Only Dining Room 42 Inches Contemporary Leg Table DF24242F
Are you drawn to the contemporary style? This interior design is your type if you like what’s hip or what’s current, and if you like the pieces that are modern and are in. A lot of people have the notion that contemporary interiors are minimalist and cold but there are ways that the rooms in such a home can also be welcoming and comfy.
Today’s Contemporary Home
Sure, the contemporary homes of today are not cluttered neither are they dark. It is a style that’s often used in stores and offices, and yes, more and more in residential spaces.
The contemporary home sticks to fundamentality, subtlety, and simplicity. It features clean lines so that what’s left are pieces that speak for themselves.
The contemporary home showcases the space more than the stuff that is found in there. And the scarcity of furnishings is not to show lack but highlights the beauty of but a few pieces and living comfortably even with just those few pieces.
Contemporary homes are also fresh and sleek. If you want to achieve this look for your own home, then it’s time to follow a few basic guidelines.
Contemporary Hues
Since simplicity is the key to having a contemporary home, then you should learn to use white, black, and neutrals. There is beauty in these simple colors. Actually, they can become the perfect backdrop to the right bold or bright color that you choose for your home.
The walls have to be painted in a neutral hue and then the accessories will easily pop from the foreground as they come in the most interesting colors that you can find. Would you want the orange chair to be even more visible? Then follow this simple rule of using contemporary colors.
Space and Line
Other distinctive elements of the contemporary home are the proper use of space and lines. The lines are often found on architecture such as the high ceilings, bold blocks of colors, geometric art, and bare windows.
Be sure to use structural elements such as brick features, exposed pipes, and trusses, even air ducts. These can easily draw the eye so paint them to further highlight their importance in your design.
Contemporary Furniture
The furniture for this interior design should be the piece de resistance. It should be a piece that is, in itself, a bold statement. It can be simple and linear but its geometric shape and its textures and colors are far from unnoticeable.
The upholstered pieces should come in white or black or, yet again, any neutral tone. The fibers could be jute, wool, linen or cotton.
Say no to bulky pieces and yes to the more colorful yet linear ones. Less is more so find chairs, sofas, ottomans with exposed legs. The beds should be free from trims and tassels. Never use ruffles in any of your design or decorative elements. Abolish anything that’s floral, carved, and excessive. Instead, go for basic, structural, and bold.
Contemporary Flooring
The contemporary floors must be smooth, bare, and topped with vinyl, wood or tile. You can use carpets but just for sound control and it should never be the plush type.
Contemporary Lighting
Now this one you absolutely have to do right. Use track lighting as well as recessed lighting so that the walls are awashed with light. Add a dash of color, here and there, and some metallic elements on your lighting fixtures.
Can lighting or spotlights can be used to highlight posters, paintings or prints. These can help draw the eye right where you want them to be.
Never clutter the room with various collections. Just pick the one that speaks to you and represents you and that you need to highlight.
Tags: contemporary interior design, contemporary interiors, contemporary style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2018 Trends, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Going Contemporary in 2018
Thursday, July 27th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Home Office Transcend Bookcase is the perfect example of rectilinear, functional furnishing.
We all live in a modern world. People see contemporary movements in almost every aspect of their daily lives – from fashion, architecture, technology, cars, even the world of interior design. Don’t be confused with the terms contemporary and modern, these are two totally different terms. Modern refers to anything from the 1920s till the 1950s.
Contemporary is anything beyond that though there are designers who look at the ‘70s as the starting line for this type of design. If you want to embrace a contemporary interior design, here are some guidelines –
Openness
Contemporary design, in essence, looks upon some of the major elements of modern design. First, it tends to apply the open space layout. It also nods on wide, open windows as well as high ceilings. As opposed to modern design, though, contemporary elements are focused on the use of natural elements.
Contemporary design is all about airiness. It embraces this aspect of design so that the interiors feel more relaxed rather than stiff.
Broader Hue Options
The color spectrum for contemporary design elements are a lot broader compared to modern design. Black and white is a famous fusion that is commonly used in many modern spaces. To depart from this default modern look, contemporary spaces could use bold patchworks.
Appropriate colors that you can use in your contemporary home are cream, white, brown, grays and beige, which are all neutral tones. Use an accent that is bold enough to counter these neutrals, just make sure that balance is still achieved in the process.
As for the walls, it would also be great to experiment with that. Striped wallpapers are a wonderful idea.
Wooden Floors No Less
Contemporary flooring always has to be wooden. But if you are looking for an excellent substitute, then you can turn to laminates, stone, porcelain, ceramic or cement. Occasional rugs or full carpeting would also make sense in this environment. The colors that you use would have to be neutral or patterned, though.
If you’re still uncertain about what material to use to cover your floor, then just go bare.
Specific Window Treatments
While lighting – especially natural lighting – is crucial in setting up a contemporary setting, there are moments when the light just has to fade or covered. Window treatments for contemporary homes are not limited. You can choose from roller shades in different opacities; shutters which may be traditional in form but they can still look amazing inside contemporary homes; another option is frosted glass which ensures ample lighting while still enjoying a certain level of privacy.
Other options include curtains, Venetian or Roman blinds, and louvers. Louvers are a fusion of Venetian blinds and shutters.
Contemporary Furnishings
Contemporary furniture designers offer a wide array of tables, sofas, chairs, and other home furnishings that would satiate people’s want for current interior design pieces. Anything that was built from the 19th century onwards is considered modern or modern contemporary.
Pieces that have been heavily influenced by the modernist art movement is considered contemporary. Compared to the visual ornate artistry of the periods before modern era, contemporary furniture is all about simplistic visual pieces.
Say no to ornamentation, heavy pieces and stuffiness. Instead, look for rectilinear furnishings that are often lightweight, casual, and therefore, more livable.
Materials used in the creation of contemporary pieces include natural materials, fabrics, and anything that has pronounced lines and edges.
Hidden Technology
Some of the hidden details in a contemporary home include innovative technology such as computers, phones, and smart gadgets fused into homes. Talk of futuristic remote access and wireless equipment put to good use.
Try to bring in more innovative controls inside your contemporary home. These will make your habitat more current and, therefore, more contemporary.
Tags: contemporary, contemporary interior design, contemporary interiors, contemporary style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Contemporary Is Compelling
Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
Cynthia Rowley Horizon Line Round Metal Cocktail Table is simple and suitable for this casual, contemporary home.
Contemporary design is not modern design – let’s make that clear, okay? These two are often confused, though. There are some elements of modern design that are found in contemporary style but they have their stark differences, too.
Let’s examine, carefully, what makes contemporary style a lot different from its predecessor.
By Definition
Bring down that dictionary from the shelf and search for the word contemporary. This term is defined as “living, occurring at the exact same time”. It is also seen as occurring at present.
Basically, contemporary means at the moment.
Seeing the Line of Demarcation
It is interesting to note that a lot of people interchange contemporary with modern design. Modern design is generally referring to the mid-1900s design. Its features include expansive spaces, neutrals, natural materials, clean lines and pops of bright colors. Low lines are also apparent.
Modern design is also geared towards functionality or practicality. For something to be referred to as modern, it must have a functional form. This means clean lines, open space layouts, and to some degree, innovation.
Contemporary style came to the scene near the ‘80s. It was during the late 1970s when various styles were mixed including modernism, post-modernism, Art Deco, De-constructivism and Futurism.
Current designs are contemporary designs, that’s all there is to it. Moving forward, the design elements that we see today may be referred to as something else. It could be the 21st century design or whatnot.
The reason behind the confusion lies in the similarities between Modern and Retro Modern elements. The former has evergreen elements, though, while the latter is minimalistic.
Contemporary style is ever-evolving. It can easily relate to many styles no matter what kind you would like to put on your plate. Any space can have contemporary elements because of the very nature of this theme.
Contemporary living means saying yes to shifting preferences, changing styles and tastes, and evolutionary pieces.
Your Home’s Contemporary Needs
Light. The emergence of Modern and Post-modern designs in the 1920s till the 1960s brought with it larger rooms. These are a far cry from the closed-off and small windows from the previous era.
Airy and light rooms began to replace the darker ones. Skylights, translucent glass windows and solar tubes became ever popular.
Subtlety. Whether you’re thinking about the colors that you would use or the accents. Use grays, black, browns and whites for your furnishings, flooring, textiles and lighting fixtures.
Natural elements. Instead of defaulting to wood, why not experiment with leather, wool, cotton, slate, teak and rock? Use these to give the interior and exterior parts of your home a natural look. Contemporary doesn’t always have to be plastic, you know.
Breeziness. Don’t go for stuffy or heavy atmosphere. Ornamentation must not be a part of your theme. See if you could have the kind of furniture that is raised off the floor. This will give the pieces a look of weightlessness.
Dare to bare. Another contemporary element is living with less. This means learning to live with bare flooring with lovely finishes such as ceramic, hardwood or porcelain tiles. It would also be a great idea to include an area rug. This will make your underfoot a lot more comfy.
Open floor layout. Contemporary habitats often have a grand look because they have non-obvious boundaries. The open space layout is common inside such homes, thus, all the living spaces are unified yet separation lines are there somewhere – you can still feel them.
Streamlined. Contemporary homes say no to curvilinear furniture pieces. For a contemporary appeal, use distinct lighting fixtures with simple hand railings, banisters, and simple art. Minimalism is key to contemporary living.
Tags: contemporary interior design, contemporary interiors, contemporary style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Contemporary Style: Saying No to Excessive Living
Thursday, May 18th, 2017
Has it ever come to your attention that a lot of people are confused between modern and contemporary design? We all live in a busy world and everything is quickly changing. Just look at the models of cars, the appearances of houses, and the surroundings in general, you would notice the lifestyle that now differs from the ones enjoyed in the past.
Contemporary with Modern Architecture
Contemporary interior design, pretty much like architecture, reflects the life’s trends. These days, you would easily recognize what is traditional and what’s modern. Architecture for the modern world does not have curves, heavy ornaments, or complex shapes and lines. These features are often associated with traditional style, hence, their opposite – clean, straight lines or curvilinear silhouettes are seen in modern structures.
The rooflines of modern architecture have turned flat. There is also the increasing idea to blend the home with the nature outdoors. Large windows are definitely in and they have actually become the trend for contemporary habitats.
Light is also an essential psychological part of human existence. It has created a huge impact on the surrounding area as well as on the inhabitants’ health. Just like plants, people are also in need of natural light. Its importance to contemporary living, therefore, cannot be questioned.
Since light is very important in contemporary settings, you should learn how to incorporate skylights, large windows, and ceiling to floor panorama windows. These are crucial in letting in natural light and having the occupants see the scenic views outside.
Gone also are the dark rooms of the past. These days, people make use of a lot of mirrors and they are busy setting up airy, light rooms.
Pretty much like modern homes, contemporary furniture designs also reflect the current trends and fashions of our time. Don’t expect to see ornate furniture. While the contemporary pieces are more streamlined, they are still stylish without breaking functionality.
Contemporary and Green
To comply with the green interior design and architecture, it has become apparent that the use of natural materials is inevitable. The popularity of green living and buying organic has taken the world by storm. Today, the use of materials such as wool, leather, cotton, slate, natural linen and stones has become a hot trend.
Decorative accents and patios all over the world are now enjoying the beautiful look that natural elements offer.
Contemporary Equals Minimalism
Interior designers usually recommend using subtle colors called neutral. These colors include brown, gray, black and white. These hues are also the right base for any contemporary home. Neutral hues should never be perceived as monotonous or boring. Furnishings and flooring with subtle colors can be accentuated by pieces that complement the overall design. These accent pieces are often stainless steel or any other metal.
Since the overall concept of contemporary design is about spaciousness, airiness and ample lighting, more and more homes these days are turning minimalist. Everyone is also saying yes to less or zero clutter.
Contemporary finishes include ceramic tiles, hardwood flooring, marble and natural stones. The comfort and coziness of contemporary homes also feature area rugs that define the different home zones. These are also popular for the living and dining rooms which are often unified even in an open floor plan.
Contemporary houses feature flexible, open floor space which unify the grand areas of a home. The kitchen, dining and living rooms all fit to the whole new meaning of the great room. These zones can now be easily blended using visual barriers rather than bulky furniture.
Details and accents are also important in a contemporary setting. Don’t forget to add simple yet stylish glass, metal railings, lighting fixtures and modern art.
Tags: contemporary, contemporary interior design, contemporary interiors, contemporary style, contemporary theme, contemporary vs. modern, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, modern vs. contemporary
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Contemporary Design: Light, Breezy and Free
Thursday, May 11th, 2017
Cynthia Rowley oozes with contemporary features. This Twin Peak King Sleigh Bed is an awesome contemporary piece to own.
Contemporary and modern are two words that have been used interchangeably throughout the years. For a lot of people, these are the same when referring to fashion, hairstyles or furniture. In the world of art, though, these mean two different things.
Contemporary vs. Modern Art
The best way to begin understanding the differences of these two is to look at the artworks covered in each era. Modern Art shows a lot of impressionism up till the 1970s. Contemporary art, on the other hand, is anything from the 1970s up.
Modern art focuses on the inner visions of the impressionists. Artworks during that time were expressions of these artists’ visions using real life images and social issues.
Contemporary art is anything from the ‘70s till our present-day. Artists under this style are constantly working in movements that are difficult to classify. If you’re having a hard time defining this art, then think of biodiversity, feminism, racism, bio-engineering, etc. The hottest social issues are also the hottest subjects for contemporary art.
Contemporary Lines
Smooth surfaces and straight, clean lines are the features that contemporary design offers. This style has zero intricacies though this would not mean that your home is bound to look cold or stark.
The updated contemporary design at present effectively blends livable and comfortable elements. These – no matter how simple – can still create a fresh and sophisticated look and feel.
Contemporary Colors
Contemporary design is often balanced by neutral hues. So, when you’re painting your walls, you would want to stick with shades of taupe, brown, white or cream. Spice up any room by painting an accent wall (having one wall painted with a different color).
Add a brightly-colored sofa as a subject to your neutral walls. Use decorative accessories such as rugs, pillows, lighting elements and the most interesting artworks.
Contemporary Metal Accents
Metals such as nickel, stainless steel and chrome are quite popular in homes that have a contemporary design. These provide a pretty, sleek finish that can make your home look cleaner. There is also a multitude of finishes to pick from.
Home accents for contemporary homes could include metal lamps, artwork and shelves.
Contemporary Textures
Adding texture in your contemporary home could spell the huge difference between an inviting setting and a stark one. So make good use of fabrics like crushed velvet, wool, linen and silk. Use accents such as window treatments made with fabric, overstuffed pillows, linen wallpaper, area rugs and upholstered furniture.
Contemporary Wood Tones
When picking wood surfaces, contemporary design is much like a spectral display. It could either be too light or too dark tones. There is a wide range of woods, designs and finishes to choose from. You are also free to create a distinctive flooring design.
The only limitation is your imagination so be sure to fuse wood to your contemporary design. Use wooden flowerpots if you would. Use it also on picture frames, shelves, and accent tables.
Contemporary Lighting
By now, you must know that lighting is an essential element of interior design. Contemporary lighting means a lot of things. It could be chandeliers which are wonderful overall lights or it could also mean table lamps that is both a task lamp and a decorative element.
Contemporary homes are energy efficient, at least this should be the case. Consider using a LED fixture as these have a longer life span and they have the additional benefit of being environment-friendly.
Go Minimalist
Lastly, you should also learn minimalism in order to achieve contemporary style. Use simple lines in architectural details, furniture, and every single decorative element. Geometric shapes and forms are welcome in contemporary design, too.
Tags: contemporary, contemporary interior design, contemporary interiors, contemporary style, contemporary theme, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Contemporary Interior Design: Living, Breathing Art
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