It is hard to believe that the term “Modern” or “Contemporary” can refer to architectural design and furnishings from the beginning of the 20th century. Designers and architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer, often associated with the Bauhaus movement coined terms like, “Less is more” and “A house is a machine for living”.
We use the term “Modern” for many of our current designs. At Content, we feel like Modern, as well as being a design aesthetic, describe a lifestyle. Homes and interiors are changing from the 90’s McMansions to more versatile spaces for relaxing, entertaining, raising families, and even working. Gone are the days of formal living and dining rooms. New Modern design offers functional spaces that are comfortable, easy to clean, energy efficient, and easy to maintain.
So why are we talking about modern classics? We feel like the classics anchor modern design and when inserted into classic spaces add an interesting balance. Most modern classics designs can be considered antiques so they add an interesting twist to classic style architecture.
You can see this in a farm house with a huge dining table, surrounded by chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames. The image below also shows classic lighting by Artemide.
A Corbusier lounge instantly updates a classic space even though the lounge was designed in 1928.
A Barcelona chair, Mies daybed, and Noguchi coffee table transforms this cold space into a warm and inviting modern home.
This classic Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen softens and anchors the corner of this room by adding the organic shape and recognizable form.
So hopefully you will consider modern classics in your next design project. Whether you live in a brand-new, sleek, modern home, or a 200-year old farm house; classics juxtaposed with other furnishings can certainly make a statement.
The classics are usually manufactured by the original manufacturer. These pieces are licensed, hold their value, and can become family heirlooms. Often frowned upon, but more affordable pieces can be found on online furniture sites and are typically imported from China. The quality is nowhere near the originals, but this can be an affordable way to find out if this type of furniture is for you. And finally, search out antique stores for vintage pieces. Reasonably priced antiques are becoming harder to find, but sometimes you get lucky like when I found our Eames DCM for $5.00 from a local thrift shop.
No matter what you do, have fun, experiment, and MODERN on!
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