With its timeless and minimalist look, modern interior design remains a preferred style for homeowners in Dallas and across the nation. Modern design can bring out the best qualities of your space because it is a clean and uncluttered style, emphasizing a small collection of carefully chosen furnishings.
Many people use the terms 'modern' and 'contemporary' interchangeably, but when it comes to interior design, they are distinct terms. Contemporary is a catch-all term for the most up-to-date and cutting-edge trends in design. Modern, on the other hand, refers to a specific style that began in the midcentury and has remained mostly the same over time.
Modern design was originally an extension of modern and deco art trends from the early 20th century, such as Bauhaus style, a German artistic movement known for its minimalism. Advances in technology paved the way for furniture designers to work with new materials, colors, and finishes. Plastic, vinyl, Lucite, and plexiglass pieces quickly began appearing in homes, often alongside traditional materials like wood and stone.
Today, modern style continues to emphasize geometric and smooth shapes, such as ovals, rectangles and squares. Since strong lines are important to the style, excess accessories are removed to leave the room's visual lines uninterrupted. Exactly how you highlight your space is, in many ways, more important than the accessories you choose.
This style has as much to do with architecture as it does with furnishings. Modern homes usually take advantage of large rooms, high ceilings, open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows. Architects designing modern homes between the 40’s and 60’s often created depth in open spaces using wall panels and changes in elevation. Large windows are also important because they introduce natural light into a room that otherwise might feel cold without it. Some modern homeowners also wish to make the surrounding landscape, not the furnishings, the most eye-catching feature in the room–in this case, bare windows are a must.
The materials you use for your home are another important consideration. Modern style usually is created with smooth textures, like glass, metal and plastic. For this reason, not many modern homes will be carpeted. Instead, you will see smooth wood, tile, or polished concrete floors with geometric rugs. Some rough textures, such as wood and brick, can also be incorporated for contrast.
Mid-century interior design is also well known for its distinctive designer furnishings and accessories. Famous examples include Charles and Ray Eames's chair designs: these were considered cutting edge at the time, but are now sought for their vintage look. Pendant lights, tulip tables, abstract art fixtures, atomic chandeliers and clocks all recreate the modern aesthetic. If an art piece takes center stage in your room, use lighting to bring attention to it.
Stay away from furnishings that are usually associated with traditional interior design. Furniture with hand carved details, traditional prints, and heavy or ruffled drapes would not be a good fit for a modern home. Patterns associated with modern and contemporary design tend to be large graphics with only a few colors. Although this style is known for its soothing neutral palettes, splashes of bright color are also used to liven up the space. Don't be afraid to go bold with orange, teal, or even neon colors.
Modern style has the advantage of looking contemporary while retaining the vintage aesthetic of mid-century design. It's no wonder that Dallas homeowners would still request this classic look from the interior designers they work with.
Looking for someone to help you design the modern home you’ve always wanted? Call us at 214-232-9501, or email us at info@chambersinteriors.com, to schedule your free consultation.