Once again my talented and creative FaceBook friends provided me with a wealth of ideas for the letter ‘M’ blog post.  I have been thinking about how to incorporate many of the ideas into a meaningful and interesting post.  Here it goes—

What Is the Definition of Modern Design – Design Themes

Modernism was a rejection of the ornate flourishes of other design styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance and Victorian styles of design. Some themes associated with modern design include:

• Clean, straight lines
• Stainless steel, chrome and other metals
• Minimalism
• Lack of clutter (accessories, etc)
• Primary colors (bold colors used for accents with white, black or neutral colors used for furniture and
  other large pieces)
  Fun Red & Black Mobile to hang from your ceiling

These are the basic themes of modern design, although the actual application can vary greatly. Modern design encompasses both the bright and bold designs of a store like Ikea and ultra minimalist furniture at the same time. On one end of the spectrum, the spirit behind modern design is to reject the notion of designing for mass appeal in favor of starker and more minimalist designs, while on the other end of the spectrum you will find designs inspired by the bold colors used in abstract art.

Is there a difference between modern design and minimalist design?

Minimalism in Practice

Minimalist home design can be either modern or contemporary in nature. The unifying element should be a focus on form, color, and texture, as opposed to ornamentation. Lighting in both cases tends to be industrial in design with a focus on track lights, art lamps, and accent spotlights. Modern minimalist spaces usually feature white or neutral walls with little to no trim work or window casings. The plain walls allow artwork and large accessories to take center stage. Large walls of windows or glass are commonly used to create a sense of airiness and maximize natural light. A modern layout is typically open concept with simple room divisions made with furniture, bookcases, fabric, or low-rise cabinets.

Modern minimalist home design uses bold geometric forms along with polished finishes and asymmetrical balance.

A great MIRROR with unique geometric styling…don’t get dizzy looking in this!

Texture is kept to a minimum, and form takes precedence over function. Furniture is streamlined in shape and is upholstered with fabrics or leather in neutral colors or tone-on-tone patterns. Metal accents like stainless steel or chrome are often seen on furniture pieces, hardware, or fixtures. Wood surfaces and cabinetry often receive a polished or lacquered finish over a light color of wood. Flooring is usually an easy care surface like concrete, wood, linoleum, stone, or tile.

On the other hand, contemporary minimalist home design features the same austere environment but with a softer approach to forms and lines. Sweeping curves and rounded lines take shape in room layouts, furniture, and accessories. Walls are kept neutral but with warmer shades like taupe, brown, cream, and beige. Pops of bold primary colors are often incorporated with painted accent walls, art pieces, upholstery, or rugs.

Texture is also important to creating warmth and comfort in contemporary minimalist home design. Microfiber or velour fabrics add softness to sofas and chairs while rugs feature plush, shaggy textures. Artwork is often colorful and striking which infuses a contemporary space with energy. A minimalist contemporary design integrates the subtle textures of natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, wool, or silk.

Another great fabric to use for upholstery in a modern/minimalist room design is MOHAIR

A great home shelter magazine to check for modern/minimalist design ideas is DWELL.

S Interior Design has completed many modern room designs for their clientele over the years.   Sometimes we refer to the style as ‘warm contemporary’ .  The objective is to have a livable and welcoming space.

(Source for some of the information found in this blog post is from  LovetoKnow)