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Thursday, June 16th, 2016
1586-90001-BLK2 The Poet Eight-Drawer Dresser
Modern design embodies a lot of elements which is why it is not easy to define it. In the most basic terms, though, this is the reflection of modern art movements inside homes. There are different central features and design themes that can be considered modern.
Modern designs were society’s objection and rejection of the ornate styles like Renaissance, Gothic and Victorian. Furnishing designs that you could include are Art Deco, Mission Style, and Shaker.
Modernism Means Clean, Straight Lines
Modern design – since it was designed to become the antithesis of complex themes, heavy textures, wood tones and carvings – is supposed to have nothing but linear designs. If anything geometric is to be placed, then it has to be controlled and scarce.
Modern furniture and other design components include clean lines with no frills. It differs from contemporary design which can include sweeping lines and curves. The lines in modern design are more crisp and sharper.
Materials that you could pair with your furnishings include oversized tiles, sanded wood flooring with minimized grain and smaller shelves and bookcases. The open space layout is most welcome as is the lack of molding and trimming on doors, windows and walls.
Say Hello to Metal
Stainless steel and chrome are two of the biggest elements used in modern design. In fact, a modern home would be less, well, modern in the absence of metallic pieces. Stay away from traditional metals, though, such as wrought iron. Instead, go for the cleaner, most polished metals.
For your home to be considered modern, be sure to use a lot of stainless steel and chrome. Have the exposed chair frames and table legs covered with any of these two metals.
Chrome is also used extensively in other home components such as doorknobs, faucets, lamps, cabinet handles and railings. It is known for its polished beauty and a slightly blue undertone.
Less Is More
Modern homes are also minimalist homes. The basics of being a minimalist are the absence of complex details, less color, and just the right amount of textiles. Even in the absence of a lot of things, it is safe to say that minimalist homes are well-planned homes. They are actually comfortable since all are streamlined for efficiency.
The minimalist and modern approaches share one other great aspect – zero-clutter. Clutter could mean different thing to different people but if you want the modern design, then just retain the essential pieces. This means saying no to pottery, vases, trinkets, and a lot of throw pillows.
Necessities are books, keepsakes and electronics. While these are still needful, they are almost always kept out of sight through proper storage.
Modernism Is Bold
Many homes designed in modern styles make use of neutrals, black and white. Yet this does not mean that you should shun using brighter colors. You can break the monotony created by the neutrals by setting up focal points. The primary colors are often used sparingly.
Hang a colorful wall art, a bold-colored sofa, brightly-colored pillows, or an accent wall.
Modernism, Modern You
In essence, all the things that you see in modern design are the result of modern thinking. Modernists were allergic to excessiveness, too much intellect, and cultural norms. They wanted to push off boundaries with regard to creativity and culture.
The modernists’ movements also included saying no to organized religion and the belief in a god. To them, modern norms had to be created and more suitable norms be instilled, hence, the birth of futurism, cubism, Neo-Dada, Bauhaus, abstract expressionism, and others.
To the world they shouted – Make It New. So, are you ready to apply what you have read?
7067-001CR Wallis 2 Cushion Sofa
Tags: bold, bold design, bold interiors, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, minimalism, minimalist, minimalist design, minimalist space, minimalist style, modern, modern design, modern interior design, modern interior design tips, modern interiors, modern style, modern theme, modernism
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Thursday, June 2nd, 2016
The geometric beauty of this Cynthia Rowley 1118CR Delancey Club Chair is great for this modern setup.
Modern design comprises various materials and perceptions. This is why this design can be a bit difficult to characterize. In fundamental terms, modern design is a reflection of modern art movement inside homes. There are many focal characteristics and themes that can be classified as modern design. Modernism is the exact opposite of more opulent designs including Renaissance, Gothic, and Victorian.
Modern Design: A Rich History
Modern interior design is just a small section of a much larger modernist movement. Modernism is often attributed to the end of the 19th century where modern thinking was given birth.
Modernists were bent on deviating from the creative, intellectual and cultural norms that have been set during the period of Enlightenment. Movements against organized religion and old norms and mores were established and the fusion of politics and creativity was given emphasis. Everything else after this fell under the category of modernism with the sub-genres defined as futurism, cubism, Bauhaus, abstract expressionism, Neo-Dada, and minimalism.
Here are some of the common components of what could be categorized as a modern home –
1586-75200-GRY1 Dinner at Eight Dining Table w 2-18in leaves: Notice the absence of curvy lines and complex designs in this modern dining room.
Everything Is Minimal
Minimalism is a huge part of modern design. The fundamentals of minimalism embraces the less is more concept. The design in a modern home does not include complex moldings, columns, cabinet trim, or excessive color on textiles.
Minimalism is living – not in scarcity but – in simplicity. It may look simple but this kind of style takes a lot of careful planning. This is necessary so that comfort is still attained while the layout is efficiently streamlined.
The open floor layout can join different rooms in just one space. The counter in a kitchen, for instance, can provide a visual division between the areas for cooking and the areas where people can sit down and converse.
Clean Lines
Modernism, simply put, is the exact opposite of previous interior designs what use carvings, heavy textures, and wood tones.
Majority of the components of modern rooms – from the furniture to room shapes – include straight, clean lines with no intricate details. These differ from contemporary design which can have some curves and sweeping, sharper lines.
With these said, there are different designs that fall under this furnishing category like Art Deco, Mission Style, and Shaker.
Paired with furnishings are oversized tiles, sanded wood floors (with minimized grain), shelves, bookcases inset in walls, open floor layouts with very few walls, and the lack of doors, windows, moldings and trimming.
Metal: The Star Material
Stainless steel and chrome are huge parts of any modern home. Modernism does away with wrought iron and other such traditional metal details. Any clean, polished metal is most welcome in a modern home. It is common to see stainless steel and chrome in furniture specifically on table legs or exposed chair frames.
Chrome is also extensively used on railings, lamps, cabinet and door handles, and faucets. This metal, when polished, shines brightly and has a slight blue undertone which can make it appear quite cold. Using metal, therefore, is awesome for those who are moving away from the lived in lifestyle.
Zero Clutter
What’s tied with minimalism is the lack of clutter. Clutter can be defined in many different ways and among different people. Sometimes, lack of clutter could mean zero pottery, vases, knickknacks, collections, and any excessive accessories.
Books, keepsakes, electronics, and other necessary items should be stored out of sight.
Dramatic Colors
Many modern homes use shades of black or white while the bold colors are limited to the accents. The bolder colors are used sparingly and rarely used as an overall color. Bold colors could be included in abstract wall art, a large piece of furniture (e.g. a bright red sofa or an orange plastic table), throw pillows, an accent wall, or a throw rug.
Tags: 19th century, chrome, history, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, metal, metal design, metal furniture, modern, modern design, modern interior design, modern interior design tips, stainless steel, stainless steel furnishings, stainless steel furniture, tips
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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