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Tuesday, March 21st, 2017
FFDM Protege Collection featuring the Luna Tufted Modern Sofa.
Modern design embodies a lot of things which is why it may be difficult to define at times. In its most fundamental form, modern design in homes is the reflection of modernism in art. There are different characteristics to consider here so find out which ones you can use to alter the look of your home –
Straight and Clear Is the Way to Go
Modern design is a form of rebellion. Modernism was the world saying no to ornate art, homes and furniture pieces. Just imagine the flourishing designs of the past – Gothic, Victorian and Renaissance – and you would realize the huge difference and design leap that modern artists had to take.
Modernism is the antithesis of these luxurious designs. It said no to heavy textures, wood tones and carvings. Modern design, therefore, shapes the look of a home with the use of straight and clear lines only. No additional details are added.
Modernism is a bit different from contemporary style because the latter makes use of sweeping and curvy lines. Modern pieces are sharper and crisper to look at.
There are sub-styles that can be categorized under the major style that is modernism. Furnishings from Art Deco, Shaker and Mission Styles will work inside a modern home.
Choose from any of these styles or you can just have spare furnishings become the crucial piece of your interior design. Furnishings can be paired with oversized tiles, sanded wooden floors with minimized grain, open floor layout, molding, and trimming on walls, doors and windows.
Yes to Metal
Stainless steel and chrome are the main metals of modern design. Say no, though, to traditional metals such as wrought iron. Be sure to open up your space to polished metals especially on table legs and other exposed parts of chair frames.
You can take your metallic look further by having chrome used on doorknobs, faucets, lamps, cabinet handles and railings. Polished chrome that shows a polished surface with a slightly blue undertone is the perfect metal to use.
Minimalism Is Modern
What other style can be categorized as modern? Minimalism plays a huge role in modern as well as modern contemporary styles. The fundamentals of minimalism focuses on less is more, meaning, the less details that are included, the more that the elements can be used in modern setting.
Minimalist habitats may appear cold but they are actually more comfortable than they actually are.
Minimalism also means having less to zero clutter. The absence of clutter means not having a lot of accessories that do not really matter. So say no to pottery, knickknacks, and other bulky collections.
If you have electronics, books and other keepsakes that you cannot impart with, then you better find a storage space for all of them. This is the way to go with modern interiors.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Curata Rectangle Cocktail Table showcases the linear beauty of modern style.
Go Bold with Colors
A lot of homes that are considered modern use black and white or a fusion of several neutral colors. You can break away from this usual definition by using primary colors in your space. Use these in accents, they should be able to break apart the neutrals that have been previously used. These colorful accents could also easily become focal points where visitors’ gaze could default to.
To use bold colors in a modern home, you could include any of the following –
Remember that modern design is a huge part of a much bigger movement that is known as modernism. This dates back all the way to the 19th century so there are many choices to look into including abstract expressionism, cubism, Bauhaus, Neo-Dada, futurism, etc.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, modern design, modern style, modernism
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Doable Modernism
Wednesday, September 28th, 2016
Checks are a huge part of all things retro. Featured here is the Flexsteel Living Room Fabric Ottoman Without Nailhead Trim 5643-08.
Old interior designs make a comeback every few years. If you’ve noticed, retro design is now making a comeback but with a contemporary twist. Retro modern is a mixture of eclectic styles, making use of different finishes and materials.
Retro modern is an interesting twist with bold colors. These days, the bright colors from days past come back in subdued tones, thus, forming a unique new style. This is the modern take on the flamboyant look of the 60s, 70s, 80s till the 90s.
Retro modern can help you show your individuality through the fusion of different styles of eras that have gone. This is your interpretation of the past, though. Different old styles, shapes, materials, colors, technology and artifacts continue to resurface to be used and displayed once more.
Hooker Furniture Living Room Rectangle Console Table is both retro and timeless.
Features of Retro Modern
Some of the visual clues that you are looking at a retro modern home is when the existing design has been revisualized and eventually revised. You would also notice a brimming mixture of eclectic elements, some classic while some bright and modern.
Retro, of course, still means a style that will never be outdated. The general rule in using it is to find items that are actually or visually 15 to 20 years of age (at the very least). The strongest features of retro modern are the careful color mixtures, even the variety in patterns and textures. At times, new furniture is framed by a vintage background.
The retro modern theme requires an environment that is sustainable. It pays, therefore, to practice the reduce, reuse and recycle concept. You can use the heirloom pieces that were handed down to you by your great grandparents or in their absence, you can check out these vintage-looking pieces from our collection –
You also need to modify your surroundings. Modify with wallpapers and lots of colors such as mustards, blues and eclectic pink. Retro modern also means updating the average interior design by adding aged pieces. Go ahead and create a timeless and unique look.
Any room will be instantly transformed to a retro modern setting where carefully chosen patterns and bold colors are used. The larger the patterns on those wallpapers, the more accurate your design would be. Say yes to murals and furniture with bold fabrics. Be sure to limit the colors to just a few bold ones, though, since you could easily end up with a cluttered, chaotic look.
Repetitive and smaller patterns with muted or neutral tones are also welcome in a retro modern home so long as you want the subtle approach. Bold colors may be used with pastel colors for a more sophisticated appeal.
If bold, geometric and colorful isn’t your style, then you can still go retro by using subtle hints. Smaller prints and patterns would do. Use the muted versions of the bolder colors. Infuse colors in smaller quantities if you are still uncertain about going bold.
Retro modern may also use curved edges and circular forms. These are actually classic shapes in retro interior design. Mix these with contemporary furniture to create a different kind of harmony. You may also combine minimalism with some retro elements. Achieve this by fusing curved lines with simple lines.
Pair modern leather, lacquer-finished pieces, and wood with retro pieces. Say goodbye to outdated fabrics and embrace a funky-colored one. Shop for sleeker pieces if you are leaning towards minimalism.
Use focal points, too, such as a vintage barometer on your accent wall, or a shelf full of colorful knickknacks. Retro modern can also be your personal design statement. Take a few ideas from these tips then try to retell the design in your own taste.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, modern, modernism, retro, Retro design, retro interior design, retro interiors, Retro style, tips, vintage, vintage design, vintage furniture, vintage interior design, vintage interiors
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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 »
Wednesday, January 27th, 2016
This Hooker Furniture Living Room Geometric Chest will look great in any living area.
If you have an artistic flair that needs to be satiated, then you might feel that your home is in need of a shot of color. The latest geometric accent pieces and wallpapers can give your home that needed lift. Imagine still feeling energized even during the dreary winter months as nothing can compare to bright and bold patterns when it comes to invigorating the senses.
A Daring Move
Geometric patterns are the hottest topic in interior design these days. Chevrons and stripes have been dominating the headlines in many interior design magazines for a long time. This trend is here to stay but if this is your first time to embrace this bold style, then it is advisable that you take it easy.
Do not run and invest in the boldest carpets and wallpapers all at once. Fine patterns that are unique which will surely pass design fads. The usual stripes and chevron patterns can give a feeling of modernism and youthful vibrancy. While this is so, you need to consider the overall style of your home so that the geometric patterns you are going to bring in will fit.
It is not difficult to create subtle yet sophisticated looks just by looking for a muted neutral shade then slowly layering with a bold mix of colors and hip patterns. Just make sure that you use bold patterns sparingly or you would be left with a room that confuses the beholder.
Accessories Uttermost Geometric Shapes, S3 19935 are black ceramic shapes complete with crystal feet and bronze undertones.
Consider Your Mood
It is also crucial that you think about the mood that you would want to project in your home. Soothing and relaxing places are your bedrooms and the living room. You can still use graphic prints in these rooms but limit your color palette to the soft and calming hues. You can also extend this same cozy effect to your master bathroom and all other bathrooms in your home.
As for the kitchen, dining area, the hallway, and rooms where foot traffic is almost constant, go ahead and splurge on those vibrant wallpapers. These are now available in many exciting patterns and colors. They are sure to energize the entrance hall and would leave a lasting impression with any visitor.
Never be limited by the thought that geometric patterns are for contemporary homes only. There are many options for just about any theme that you can think of. For the more traditional styles, then add glamour through subtle geometry. As for modern themes, the sky’s the limit pretty much.
Draw some inspiration from different eras, for instance, if you feel inspired to use materials from the Art Deco period, then find linear patterns, subtle curves, and monochrome or metallic colors. If you want contemporary styles, then find wallpapers in a ‘60s vibe. These could have a dizzying effect at first but you will soon appreciate the unique vibe that they bring in to your space.
Accessories Uttermost Geometric Impressions Modern Art 35309 is a hand painted canvas with geometric pattern rendering a three-dimensional effect.
You can also opt to use two-tone geometric patterns or have those harlequin-like patterns of diamonds and a spectrum of colors. Should these remain uninspiring to you, then choose a mixture of eighties design, palm leaf and bold shapes.
It is not advisable to decorate an entire room with geometric patterns. Less is more with this kind of style. Also, it is not just for the brave and daring homeowners who would set up a feature wall; it is also a style that can fit a person with delicate personality.
Wallpapers are not the only stuff that you can bring in. See the metallic geometric shapes below and you would know that geometric design can also be a decorative element.
Featuring geometric artwork is also a welcome move as are the use of rugs, carpets and furniture that show interesting patterns and textures.
Tags: bold, bold design, bold statement, Chevron, contemporary, contemporary interiors, contemporary style, contemporary theme, design geometry, geometric design, geometric interior design, geometric patterns, geometry in design, guidelines, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, modern, modern style, modern theme, modernism, patterns, stripes, stripes in interior design, tips
Posted in Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Geometry in Interior Design: Fun, Hip and Stylish
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