Decorating a room in contemporary style is a good choice when a traditional style living space makes you feel like you can’t relax and modernism has the same effect, but a different reason – it appears cold or bare to you. But what is contemporary style? Contemporary style and modernism are often mistaken one for the other or the terms are used as synonyms to describe just one style. As discussed earlier this month in my mini series on modern interior design, modernism has virtually no decorative detail; lines are angular; and profiles are typically geometric but just as often asymmetrical. While both contemporary and modern emphasize geometric forms and clean lines, contemporary furnishings incorporate decorative detail and profiles are more relaxed and tapered or curved rather than angular.
Today, we will design a bedroom, living room and dining room starting with what might easily be described as a typical modern color palette of strict neutrals – gentle beiges, well-defined grays or pearl whites but pairing it with black and white furniture. At first glance, it might appear too simple, but even though the lines and profiles of these pieces could be called modern, the look is definitively what I like to call urban contemporary. Urban contemporary furniture is ideal for apartments or condos because furnishing tend to be smaller in scale. And it’s all in the details; a mix of wood and metal paired with black and white for a look that is sophisticated yet truly comfortable.
The Urban Contemporary Bedroom
The Lexington Black Ice Graphite Panel Bed 5 Piece Bedroom Set in Carbon Black is perfectly suited to an apartment or condo bedroom. The platform bed, even though it stands low to the floor, is visually impressive because of its tall leather headboard with a sleekly polished nailhead trim. It actually makes the room feel larger. The metal decorative detail of the headboard is reinvented in the hardware used for the dresser, chest of drawers and nightstand. Look closely – the drawer pulls resembles filing cabinet hardware, giving these case goods a unique appearance.
Since the furniture is predominately black, we want to bring white into the room for contrast. Shag area rugs are making a comeback. A large white one will provide plenty of contrast as well as a cushy place for toes. Select bedside table lamps with a polished silver metal base and white shades. Tie the furniture in with the floor covering by choosing black and white bedding. Personalize this room with the accessories and finishing touches that are right for you and you will have created a bedroom a contemporary urban flair that will be a comforting as it is esthetically appealing.
The Urban Contemporary Living Room
Urban contemporary is also exclusively suited to the open concept design that is becoming so popular in today’s living spaces when the living merges into the dining area and the boundary of the kitchen might be defined by a breakfast bar or counter. I like the crisp look and feel of the Lexington Black Ice Sapphire Leather Sofa in White and the spectacular effect it has in the room when it is matched with the Lexington Black Ice Tungsten End Table in Carbon Black. Although it doesn’t provide such a dramatic contrast as the silver nailhead trim on black, the metal accents lend this leather sofa a chic designer look. As mentioned above, it’s all in the details, and the tabletop’s polished silver inlay is proof positive. Brushed metal, highly polished metal or glass accents are a common characteristic of urban contemporary style.
The Urban Contemporary Dining Room
The Lexington Black Ice Platinum Dining Table 7 Piece Dining Set in Carbon Black is everything you want dining furniture to be – practical, functional, comfortable and beautiful to look at. The china cabinet has beveled glass doors with a chic “X” groove for that perfect stylish touch. The dining chairs are leather with tapered backs and legs and backrests that have silver nailhead trim. This tabletop also has a silver inlay, while the reflective surfaces of the table legs add another dimension to this urban contemporary design.
The emphasis of urban contemporary is on functional furniture that is cleverly disguised as chic and contemporary. The result is furnishings that reflect an urban lifestyle that demands flexibility and practicality with a metropolitan flair.
Hi Heather B. I found your disambiguation between modern and contemporary furniture very accurate and precise. Modernism is one of those terms that has too many designations, specially when it can be applied to furniture or interior design, literature, painting, politics, etc. I always find myself using Modernism and Avant-Garde as synonyms because they refer to the same artistic movement but I use the term “modern” less specifically, I am afraid.
I liked your contemporary furniture picks, I always thought of Contemporary style to be perfect for the interior design transition that many people in their 60’s find difficult to make, finding –as you have said- Modernism in Interior Design too cold and plain, yet willing to give up their flowery wallpaper. I guess that Modernism in interior design is more suitable for younger people, seeking to break with the older style in a more abrupt and significant way.
Great post and happy new year!!!!
I have to say that I love the examples that you chose. A lot of people are afraid to pair black and white in their decor and opt for one over the other, but combining the two can really result in a gorgeous and classy home interior. I love the advice you gave and your style as well.
Thanks for the kind comments. Using any kind of contrast, especially black and white, can be an interior design “quick fix” for a room that lacks cohesiveness or visual interest.
This dining room furnishings really are wonderful pieces and the prices can be completely justifiable for high-quality dining room furniture. Do not mistake me, I’m not trashing IKEA, or similar low cost brands, however it is how it is, “low-priced knockoffs”. It’s really up to the consumer to decide whether they want a table as a possible investment or if they would like a knock-off item in order to temporarily offer “a look”. I really like the range here, I am a admirer of the Cherner and the modern-day clean lines of the Blue Dot. In terms of practicality, to each their own. I choose not to have individuals sitting uncomfortably upon the ends of a table, grinding legs with the other people. This table offers a functional condition for chatting without sacrificing style and design.So very cool.