If you love clean lines, accessory-free space, and neutrals with primary colors, then modern style may be the design style for you.  A clean, streamlined furniture style from the 30’s, this style grew from the idea to build for function, to do without traditional decoration, and to embrace industrial materials like chrome, glass and concrete, which new technologies made available.  Characterized by a neutral color palette and polished surfaces, today’s modern interiors use basic geometry (simple edges, curves and angles) and clean lines in furniture, architecture, and sculpture.  Metals, glass and wood are commonly used in this style.  The wood is sometimes used in its natural state as an organic contrast to more structured shapes or painted over with an semi opaque finish to highlight the natural wood grain. Glossy metals, such as stainless steel and more recently brass, are among the signature materials in modern interior spaces. The metal may be used for anything from the legs of a chair to the body of a lamp.

Modern interiors are sleek, spacious, simple, and focus on function and organization.  No clutter or chaos allowed.  The driving design concept is honesty: keeping structure and building material in plain view.  Sustainability is gaining in popularity with the abundance of reclaimed wood used in today’s furniture.   More designers are reclaiming materials for use in modern design, and building from renewable resources.  Lastly, when accessorizing for the Modern interior, art, rather than accessories, is the way to go. No cute little trinkets or blankets tossed over the furniture. Rather, art pieces are carefully chosen for their unique appeal, and to serve as a focal point in a space.  Geometric-patterned or plain area rugs provide accent colors and accentuate the bold look of modern interiors.

For your shopping and inspiration needs look to Design Within Reach (DWR), Dwell Studios, Rove Concepts, All Modern and RH’s new line of modern furniture.

 

 

This sleek living room highlights all of the main elements of the Modern style – white and neutral tones, use of chrome on the legs of the chairs and sofa and chrome side table and book case, large modern artwork and the use of wood stained to highlight the wood grain.  There’s a sense of “airiness” in the space with minimal clutter and all of the light tones working in harmony.

 

 

 

 

 

This living room shows how to use more organic materials – as in the concrete floors, over sized natural wood vessel, and natural sheepskin rugs – to make this modern living room still feel inviting while maintaining it’s minimalism with few adornments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Modern Style idea board shows the pieces you could use to recreate this look in your own home.