ABOUT INTERIOR
DECORATION
In the modern world, human life experience is largely played out in interior spaces. We may love the out-of-doors for the open air and sky, for the escape it offers from life inside enclosure, but the very joy of being outside reflects the reality that so much of life is spend inside. Most of the time, most of us live inside a house, a flat, or a room. We sleep, eat, cook, bathe, and spend free time "at home" that is, inside. Work takes place in an office, a factory, a specialised work space such as hospital, concert hall, museum, school, or college, the list is endless.
Interior design, whether professional or not, is an aspect of life that is impossible to escape. The study of interior design, its development and change through history, is a useful way both to explore the past and to make sense of the spaces in which modern life is lived.
About
Modern Interior
Modern interior design has its roots firmly planted in the soils of the early 19th century developing throughout the 20th century. The modernism movement began to unfold as it moved away from using traditional building and design materials like wood, stone and brick and instead began to focus on industrial materials including glass, steel and concrete. The most recognised and influential design philosophy was created by the German Bauhaus school of design in the 1920s, whose design aesthetic was centred on the belief that form should combine with function. This principle saw the emergence of modern design and a style that we recognise and continue to use today. From the stark white look of minimalism, industrialism and Scandinavian interiors to the richer, bolder forms of rustic modern, maximalism, mid-century and glamour. Modern interior design is shaped by a heritage of clean lines, geometric form, clear spaces, function and storage. Below we explore some of the concepts behind modern design style, how to distinguish each approach and how to create the look in your own home.
Modern design is part of the larger movement of modernism. Modern design encompasses a lot of different incarnations, which can make it difficult to define. In its simplest terms, modern interior design refers to the reflection of the modern art movement on the interiors of the home. There are several central characteristics and design themes seen throughout modern design, however, that could be described in part as the definition. Modernism was a rejection of the ornate flourishes of other design styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance and Victorian styles of design. Therefore, many of the different modern designs have several common components of which the design themes have become associated with modern design.
About
Coastal Interior
About
Coastal Interior
If coastal design to you is synonymous with anchors, blue and white, and seashells upon seashells, we totally get where you're coming from. And you would think, based on the name, that's exactly what it entails, but that's actually more typical of nautical decor. Mind blown. Coastal is another thing entirely, and while the two have some elements in common, coastal is decidedly less in-your-face and kitschy. Coastal is not the same thing as nautical. Nor is it the same thing as Mediterranean, or tropical. In the simplest definition, coastal is beachy.
Through use of natural light, soft tones, and a clean aesthetic, it's meant to evoke the breeziness of the beach. Basically, it feels like summer year-round inside your house. "A coastal space takes its cues from the natural environment for everything from colour palette through to materials used," says Will Taylor, author of Dream Decor, and the blogger behind Bright Bazaar. "The core features are usually jute textures, earth tones, layered blues, crisp whites, stripes, and loose linen upholstery."
About
Minimalist Interior
About
Minimalist Interior
Minimalist interior design is very similar to modern interior design and involves using the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space. It’s characterised by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with colour used as an accent. It usually combines an open floor plan, lots of light, and functional furniture, and it focuses on the shape, colour and texture of just a handful of essential elements.
Most people are today familiar with the concept of minimalism, which involves stripping things down to their most basic form. It can be applied to anything from art and lifestyles to architecture and interior design.
About
Japanese Interior
About
Japanese Interior
In Japan, design has deep roots in tradition, perhaps more than in any other country. Modern Japanese interior design has also had a lasting impact on Western architecture and interiors. The effect is especially pronounced when it comes to contemporary design. Unsurprisingly, Nordic designers have found a natural affinity in Japanese minimalism, craftsmanship, and love of natural materials. However, Japan’s influence is more nuanced and goes beyond clean aesthetics or materiality. From wabi-sabi to kintsugi and shou sugi ban, Japanese concepts and crafting techniques have left an indelible mark on the worlds of interior design and architecture.
Japanese style in interior design is a kind of ethnic trend in minimalism, which implies refined color mixes and laconic forms in combination with extraordinary design solutions. This design direction can be easily recognized by the abundance of natural materials and flower arrangements (ikebanas). It will appeal to those who like simple, properly structured space with a minimal amount of furniture.
About
Transitional Interior
We all know that transition means moving from one place or thing to another. But what does it mean in reference to interior design? The term “transitional design” is often used by interior designers to reflect a room’s meshing of modern and traditional elements, essentially, combining two styles in one space, resulting in a cohesive design. Designers are seeing a drastic increase in the number of clients who want to toss the rules out the window and merge traditional elements (such as wainscoting or antique furniture) and modern, clean-lined furnishings.
As we touched upon, transitional design is a modern mix of classic and contemporary. You can think of it as simply a new take on an old classic, or a younger, more punchy version of traditional design. It’s especially popular among the millennial generation, as they want to venture out and create their own stamp. Transitional design marries curved furnishings with straight-lined, lacquered finishes, resulting in a room that is equally masculine and feminine in nature. It is not a scattered, eclectic mess; rather, it is only lightly adorned with accessories, a clean room with added texture and a neutral colour palette. It might seem difficult to achieve a cohesive look when mixing such opposing styles. Let’s look a bit deeper into how to properly mesh them.
