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With its slick lines, open spaces and lack of
ornament the Modern Style is a mélange of 20th
Century design styles. Stemming from the
Bauhaus and
the International Style, the Modern Style develops
its distinctive character by incorporating elements
of Art Deco, Cubism, The Abstract, mostly in
Paintings, and Pop Art with the successful ability
to address the needs of contemporary society post
WWII. With the advent of television, pop culture
enters into the common home along with the styles,
needs and wants of the every day man.
In the Modern
interior, plain white walls with no moldings and
narrow baseboards are de rigueur. Window frames
should be simple. Huge picture windows, even walls
of glass, are emblematic of this style. The floor
plan should be as open as possible, and the space
divided with modular furniture, low cabinets or
bookcases or perhaps a partial wall made of glass
bricks.
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The most fascinating and fun part of the Modern
style are the variety and exuberance of the
furnishings. From Le Corbusier's cube armchair
to Serridan's egg and swan chairs, the modern period
produced an explosion of innovative, imaginative and
lovely furniture forms. Favorite pieces: modular
sofas in tubular steel and black leather, Eames
chairs, daybeds after Mies van der Rohe, and
stacking chairs and tables of any kind. If a touch
of warmth is desired, choose leather upholstery in
an earth tone. |
Elements of Modern Style
Colors: Walls are treated as background
incorporating sparse tones of black, white, brown,
gray, beige, and chrome. Bursts of color are used as
accent and accessories, primary colors often adding
the splash of red, yellow or blue that livens the
austere modern interior.
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Venetian
Plaster and Plaster wall effects |
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Create sleek,
sophisticated
authentic textured wall treatments using traditional
Venetian
and
Stucco
Plaster Effects. Smooth, polished and textured
surfaces can be easily achieved for interior and
exterior surfaces.
Visit the Plaster Effects Center now for
Step-by-step tutorials
Also available
Venetian Plaster Kits |
Walls: Walls are simple, with out moldings or
embellishment; painted white or neutral tones. The
use of glass as walls becomes an important
innovation in Modern Style, largely due to the
advent of new material use, like steel, in
construction. Glass bricks are installed, often in
combination with raw concrete - for that Le
Corbusier touch. Contemporary art, such as Abstract
Expressionism and Pop art add life and organic
interest to the clean angularity of modern design.
Floors: Natural elements become the mainstay. Wood, stone, brick,
and cork compliment the open, airiness of
modern interiors, adding just the right amount of
natural organics to compliment the concrete and
glass structure. Abstract
patterned rugs, such as kilim rugs, help soften the
linearity and add character to the modern interior.
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Lighting: A contemporary, industrial approach
is often appropriate. Track lighting, in
combination with recessed ceiling
cans or halogen ceiling spots, are utilized to
direct light onto specific areas of the
interior. For example, spotlighting a painting
or centering an open plan room by emphasizing an
object with a focused light beam. Smaller lamps
will add interest. Items like globe lamps, or tubular lamps,
for example. Truly, anything simple and
industrial can find a comfortable home in the
modern interior.
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Windows: Plain white curtains or Venetian
blinds allow light to enter the interior without
detracting from the open, uncluttered spaces. Or for a daringly modern look, no window
coverings at all!
Accents: This is the place for color and
organic forms and textures. Modern art,
particularly in Mondrian-style primary colors,
and geometric, black and white. Throw pillows
can be exiting influences, covered in
primary colors or interesting fabric patterns. Curved glass
ashtrays, translucent or colored art glass, and mobiles
continue the contemporary feel by implying light and
airiness. Natural objects and materials like twig
arrangements, bamboo, sisal or coir balance
industrial design. Period style can also be used
for accessories: Art Deco style for the thirties;
kitsch for the fifties; Pop Art for the sixties.
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