When you’re seeking a home transformation, going beyond painting the walls is a balancing act. Contemporary furniture pieces can transform any home – so long as you play by some simple rules of balance, concerning color and theme.
Your home reflects who you are. It’s where your soul comes out to play among those items you’ve chosen, because they speak to you. If you’ve been timid about how you’re molding the space to your tastes and values, then maybe it’s time to take a bold step forward. If you’re serious about transformation, then boldness is your best friend.
But before we begin our exploration, let’s look at the difference between contemporary and modern.
Contemporary? Kind of
In truth, modern design began in the 1940s, with designers like Bauhaus. From there, it was re-defined by subsequent designers and adapted to their cultural contexts. Here, we see the examples of Mies Van Der Rohe and a unique conception of modernity, Italian modern, Danish modern, etc.
Mid-Century modern is probably the most enduring of all these styles, although that’s a matter of taste and historical perspective.
But when you’re discussing “contemporary” in terms of furniture design, the word doesn’t genuinely reflect what we’re talking about. “Contemporary” can describe the design of the past in its direct context, as well as what we consider to be up to date or “modern”.
While the two words are often used interchangeably, it’s clear that they mean two different things. So, for the purposes of this post, contemporary is going to take on the mantle of “classic”, in terms of its modernist interpretation*.
*(PRO-TIP: What contemporary means is that it’s manufactured to the taste of the prevailing market – what sells and what’s desired by mass consumerism.)
It’s not the piece, it’s the context
You may feel a little strange plunking a contemporary furniture piece into your traditionally-inspired room, but you needn’t.
Contemporary furniture pieces can transform any home if you give some forethought to how you’re going to integrate them and a lot of this can be done with color.
For instance, your twin wingbacks and sofas can still feel right at home in the presence of a contemporary coffee table. Choosing a monochromatic color theme is key to this effect. But another trick is to reduce clutter.
But check yourself when introducing a sleek contemporary piece into a room which has been purposely designed to reflect an era. You may need to change wall colors and reduce what’s in the room to make the transformation harmonious.
Let your eyes guide you
Introducing contemporary furniture may require adding a modern lighting solution, or end tables. Abstract art also supports the transformative effect of contemporary furniture.
But be aware that traditional art can be jarring in such a setting. It can work, but only when employed sparingly, with placement in mind.
The art of transformation
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