Design Style Feature II: Contemporary
By Erin Brandariz
Contemporary is hip. Contemporary is cool. It is the ultimate. It is what the masses want. It is all encompassing, and that is probably what makes it better than all the other design styles. (Yeah, I went there!)
Contemporary design isn’t necessarily modern design (people often confuse the two terms), but includes an array of design styles that are currently trending. These days, contemporary design means that there is no right or wrong answer; you can combine various design styles to achieve a unique environment that reflects your personality. The trends of contemporary design are taking us to an era where anything and everything is happening now.
An example of a new style in the design world mixes rough, raw spaces and materials with modern and sleek elements: Rustic Modern… a beautiful and functional movement that reflects a deeper cultural trend. Rustic Modern is the result of hybridization; taking cues from different design eras while still being relevant to our ever-changing modern society.
A pinch of the old: Influential designers like Charles and Ray Eames had a great appreciation of the balance of nature within a home. They embraced ideas of simplicity and efficiency through technological advances to create a product of beauty and sophistication, from large scale to human scale. The Eames’ tackled the disconnect between creating both an ergonomic and beautiful chair (human scale) through inventions and methods of their own conception utilizing the technology of mass production (large scale). These concepts and designs, though designed decades earlier, still resonate today.
A dash of the new: There has been a D.I.Y./hand crafted revival within our society. People also have a different mindset: Sustainability. Recycling isn’t enough; we must up-cycle our waste! For many, Rustic Modern design not only incorporates ideas from the past, but physical elements as well. After many years of importing products from other countries, there is now an awareness that the ability and skill to update a found object – usually of some antiquity – is more valuable than the plastic things we buy and then carelessly throw away.
Accomplishing a Rustic Modern design is easier than one may think. If you have a minimalist modern architectural space, you could introduce furniture that may be made with reclaimed wood, or you could hang up old, discarded dresser drawers to create a charming shelving unit. Whereas, a converted industrial space, loft or a barn, could utilize modern furniture and decor to achieve a similar balance between the two styles.
Contemporary design is eclectic. If you find that pure bred Traditional, or Modern, or Shabby Chic styles don’t quite characterize your own style, don’t be afraid to mix and match! After all, you could be defining the next new Contemporary style!