I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of modern decor.
For me, the avant-garde style feels too stark and austere. I prefer living in a space with a sense of history and all of the trappings that go along with that decor style. If I had to live in a modern decor I'd want it to look like our feature room. The mix of urban with country makes for quite an interesting space.
This room shows how blending two almost completely opposite styles can be a successful venture. The addition of the natural wood and stone elements give this otherwise sleek space texture and movement. It also injects nature into the room in a primitive way that is successfully juxtaposed to the urban loft space. Floor-to-ceiling windows give the illusion that you are part of the outdoor scenery, and driftwood accessories help support the look.
The roughly hewn dining table is fabulous and would fit into a country home as well as it does in this modern loft. I've seen similar unique tables and furniture at Lindsay Steek's if you're looking for something along this line. The solid stone accent table is an interesting touch that further injects the country to this urban/country decor. It's sculptural, natural and functional to boot. This is a natural element in its rawest form.
A few well-chosen natural accessories help finish the look while maintaining the integrity of urban design by not cluttering up the space. Even the accessories have been carefully chosen to incorporate the mix of modern and country. For instance, the three table plants are in pots that look like natural stone but they are square. Rather than go with traditional round pots, the decision to use square ones infuses the modern aspect of the room into the mix. The seashells on the coffee table are not coloured, which gives a more contemporary look to otherwise earthy elements. The driftwood lamp has a modern rectangular shade. Even the natural shelf accessories lack vibrant colour, which is in keeping with the urban space. It's a very Zen space in which nature is the star. The uncluttered element of modern design is starting to grow on me the more I study this space. I do like the low-maintenance facet and the calming effect a minimalist space can have on a harried soul. The lesson might just be to keep an open mind to all styles to help keep us from getting into a style rut.
There are other reasons why this room 'feels' right. The basic design fundamentals are underlying but important. I've said it enough times; odd numbers are more interesting than even numbers in the decor and this room is no exception. The three table plants, fireplace plants and seashells on the coffee table aren't an accident. There are three shelves beside the large window and they also follow the line, colour and style of the adjacent window trim. Basic design is working here to a positive outcome.
The dark, natural-looking floor grounds the entire room and gives it depth and visual warmth. Pairs of chairs provide symmetry, but nothing is really 'matching'. The modern rectangle shape is repeated throughout the space, which provides subtle continuity.
Muted wall colour allows the view to take centre stage. Benjamin Moore's paint colour line called Nature's Essence sets a calming, neutral backdrop in this tranquil space. Strong wall colour in this setting would negate the tranquil setting trying to be established here. There are no visual distractions for which the mind could be sidetracked. No strong colours to evoke emotion. This is a restful room for both the eyes and the mind.
The soothing elements of a fireplace
Watching the flames flickering in a fireplace can be as calming to the mind as a good nap. When you need to clear your head of the day's noise and distractions, sitting in front of a warming fire for half an hour can do wonders.
I had been bothered by the large blank space above the fireplace -- my instinct would be to hang a great piece of art in that space. But once I realized the intentions of this room, I could see the reasoning behind the decision to leave it empty. In a room where meditation, serenity and tranquility are paramount, the blank space above the fireplace serves as another mind-clearing and calming facet. For most of us who are always on the go, the thought of sitting still and staring at a blank wall with no other distractions would be difficult to imagine. For those who meditate or seek out quiet spaces for the mind and soul, the blank wall makes perfect sense.
To establish a calming retreat you must remove distracting elements. Along with minimal adornment and accessories you will notice that there is no television, radio or computer in this room. The 'show' if you will is outside of that huge window.
The lessons
If your current residence is not your 'dream' space, bring in elements that you love to help infuse some enjoyment and comforting factors into your space. If you are a harried soul, try paring down the distracting elements in one room.
The bedroom is a great place in which to create a calm setting. A good night's sleep can do wonders for the body and mind. Remove distracting elements like the telephone, television and for goodness sake no computer in the bedroom!
From the colour of a sunset in the desert to a piece of sun-bleached driftwood, nature provides a bounty of decorating elements that can and should be brought into the home.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
