Decorating Styles Part II: Contemporary

Decorating Styles 

    by Powell Brower Home 

Contemporary design styles reflect today's tastes and trends and  generally refers to the late twentieth century through the current time. While interior design "today" features softened, rounded lines, clean and sleek shapes, there is no carving and ornamentation like in traditional style. The current trends in decorating offer  a mix of natural wood, glass, metal, and fabrics both neutral in color and in striking colors and patterns. Texture is paramount to distinguish between various neutrals and colors like white, cream, tan, taupe abound. Large, slim profile windows bringing the outdoors 'in' are markers of this style.

Color trends today evolve as a new version of a color from last year. You will hear about the Pantone color matching system which is universally used throughout the industry. Colors are predicted and identified as the current trend each year by Pantone. Here are the fall Pantone 2012 colors, in case you haven't seen the line up.  These can be pops of color you add to your neutral decor, or you can go bold with any of these to be current!

We see alot of bold accents in contemporary  such as in a striking piece of art, a geometric rug or wall color, yet this look is uncluttered and simple.

                   Part II: Contemporary

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This room is from a premier contemporary store, Roche Bobois:

Contemporary rooms can be an all-neutral, or a room like this that uses "current"colors:

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People use the terms modern and contemporary interchangeably but they are not the same. Modern refers to 1920-to the mid twentieth century.We did a post previously on contemporary versus modern architecture explaining the differences. Interior trends follow the same precipice. This look is contemporary because it uses neutral colors with pops of the current trends, sleek finishes, i.e. metals, glass, mirror, lucite, but is warm and inviting.

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Contemporary style is:

• neutral colors, with bold accents
• uncluttered, unadorned furnishings
• clean, simple lines
• natural materials
• minimalistic
• reflective surfaces
• unusual colors ( more trendy)

In comparison, Modern style includes vintage modern pieces from the 1920's-30's, Mid-Century Modern- see post here- (up to the 1970's),Art Deco( 1920-30), and the Arts and Crafts Movement, or "craftsman"( 1910-1930).

• angular lines, low profile, streamline
• geometrics, abstracts
• linen, teak and leather
• barewood and concrete floors
• industrial decor, recyle, salvage
• "form follows function"
• art deco: glamour, mirrors, chrome, glass, "glitz"

Here is a modern decor scheme. See the retro items and spare materials?

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Is your home contemporary or modern?

Nancy

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 We offer room consultations, paint suggestions, shopping and sourcing, complete room and house redo's, staging and reworking your current furniture, spot-checks in areas that aren't quite gelling and many other services. eBoards are a quick and easy way to get a design look and feel in your home. While hiring a designer may cost you a bit extra, we aim to save you money by preventing costly mistakes in your design plan.