During a recent bout of flu, I hunkered down with the DVR and a marathon of the fabulous "Man Shops Globe." Wow, do I love that show! It's amazing to see how the fruit of Keith Johnson's worldwide travels translates into gorgeous Anthropologie displays and products. On his visit to the Netherlands, Johnson posed an interesting question that I thought I might pose, in turn, to you: How do you "soften up" modern?
Johnson loved the clean lines and innovative spirit of the modern design he came upon in Holland, but he was searching for a way to "soften" up the look in order to bring it in line with the Anthropologie aesthetic. The chairs above, by furniture designer Leslie Osterich, combine a classic mid-century form with romantic images from paintings, achieving the perfect blend of sleek and soft.
It's clear there are many lovers of a modern aesthetic among the Apartment Therapy readership. If you're among them, do share: How do you "soften up" modern in your own home? What are some ways you bring your own personal warmth in line with your modern sensibilities?
If you haven't seen Man Shops Globe, you can check it out online here.
(Image: Sundance Channel)
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Comments (19)
I make up for hard Modern furniture with texture. With bent plywood seating, I opt to have them done in cowhide and instead of itchy wool sofas, I choose chenille. Accessories also become important. Pillows and throws with vibrant embroidered patterns and contrasting modern furniture with more traditional art helps too. But most importantly I look to include the owner's personality in the room. Accessorizing with the owner's existing items helps to not only make the room looked more lived in but also bring a personal connection to the space.
I mix modern with antiques and lots of texture, just like Comicgeek, above. There's nothing like an antique as a perfect foil for a modern piece, and vice versa.
I throw in lots of natural elements and some organic forms, and keep color schemes relatively unsaturated. Good art and some handmade things help, too.
Tonight I was watching DVR'd episodes of Man Shops Globe. Thought I had both "Argentina" and "France." But it turns out "France" fell victim to a miscue between the DVR and the cable box. Instead of MSG I got "Sanford and Son." Oh the irony!
Cheap and easy...... plants (many) and a nice color accent wall.
I agree- its all about mixing and matching for us, too. If you have too many clean lines, it begins to feel clinical and cold. Adding some natural elements/ textures/ colors seems to balance it out and everything looks fresh but most importantly, livable.
I think this piece from AT shows how you can take minimalist and make it warm without having to clutter and color.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/entertaining/syling-a-home-before-and-after-101786
Sadly, I seem to be stuck on color and clutter but I strive for this kind of home. Sigh.
This show sounds great, that would be my dream job.
Plants, cushions with texture and color, rugs, and a mix of antiques lamps. I still like uncluttered and simple so I choose carefully.
Comicgeek beat me to it... first, it's all about texture.
Second... lighting. Layers of it.
Third... personal finds (art, antiques, souvenirs)
Fourth... organic or ethnic elements (a gnarled wood bowl, a faceted quartz votive, a hammered metal Indian chair).
paintitbright--
That made me snort!
The others have it right - Modern by itself ends up appearing like a DWR showroom.
It's the mix that makes modern approachable - traditional pieces, handmade items, found objects, antiques...
...likewise in a traditional room, a modern piece can liven up and add interest to a space - otherwise it can get a bit like a museum/setpiece.
Plants, earthware-types of ceramics, wool pillows, a little rust here and there, and not being too slavish to "Modern" style. One or two trash-finds, a bit of irony, help to soften things a bit, too.
I add small things, itsy bitsy things, little things here or there.
A warmer color palatte is helpful, too. Blues and grey pair nicely with modern, but play into the "cold" feeling. So many modern pieces are in beautiful teaks and maple which are excellent with greens and other earth tones. But, as already mentioned, texture and natural elements are 2 of the easiest ways. Thank you so much for the link, too! I'm without cable for a week since I just moved and this will help save my sanity.
I don't think modern is inherently 'cold' or 'hard' by intent. Historical images of Charles and Ray Eames' home seem to indicate otherwise about modern interiors:
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/eames/images/vc9626.jpg
http://www.eamesfoundation.org/gallery/photo_detail.php?id_photo=510
KWorld's right. There is a misconception that modern means meagre. That modern is cold, and hard. Modern is much too varied and fascinating to stigmatize it.
"How do you 'soften up' modern?"
You've just made me throw up inside my mouth. Thanks.
What part of modernism is unadorned is so hard to figure out? Modernism was a reaction against the very crap you so relentlessly peddle as advice on this site.
Those chairs are not soft; just gaudy.
"soften" modern? what's the point? that's like taking the floral out of laura ashley. the whole point of modern is not being decorated.
I don't think it's contradictory. Just because something is simple and uncluttered it doesn't necessarily follow that it has to be sterile and uninviting.