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Making Modern Soft
By Brian Ogan
There is a perception that modern has to be cold, with its usage of concrete, stone and glass. However, you don't have to sacrifice great looks for livability. Even the sleekest of modern interiors will feel warm and inviting if you follow the following design tips:
1. Turn to nature. Soften the modern angles of contemporary design with items made of natural materials. For instance, use a warm wood like cherry on the floor or ceiling. Accessorize with vases and bowls in organic shapes and materials. In Ogan's own modern loft, a large pot is filled with river rocks to contain tall bamboo stems that fan out and reach to the ceiling.
2. Minimally maximize. By adopting a less-is-more perspective, you free up space to make a room more usable and comfortable. The key is choosing a few good pieces whose simple clean lines can bring a sense of calm. Fortunately, today's modern furniture manufacturers go to great lengths to make sure pieces are comfortable and ergonomic. This lets you maximize comfort even with the most minimal look.
3. Fill black holes. Modern spaces often boast big, beautiful windows. Unfortunately, large amounts of glass can give a room the feeling of a black hole at night. To counter this effect, place sculptures or large plants outside windows and light them with warm incandescents. Or, shine light onto trees that may already be there. Objects come alive, opening the black hole and enlarging your interior space to include the outdoors.
4. Use lighting as art. Soft lighting makes high ceilings feel closer and open spaces more cozy. Use spotlights to highlight a piece of art, or install bookshelf lights to keep attention centered within the room. Small wall sconces work to keep a tall blank wall from feeling cold and lost. Ogan transformed a concrete wall in his own home by installing dozens of votive candle holders in a pattern, resulting in a dramatic "wall of flames."
5. Choose warm paint. Natural earth shades, such as taupe, cream and caramel, are welcoming and don't compete with furniture or art. To add even more warmth, paint a single wall in a deeper color such as sage or wine. This balances any cold concrete or brick that often characterizes industrial spaces.
6. Anchor with rugs. Area rugs warm up bare wooden and stone floors and help reduce echoes. Today's contemporary carpets come in a variety of shapes and patterns, and deeper colors generally enhance the coziness of a room. Furthermore, a strik
ing carpet can be the focal point of a room, attracting the eye and eliminating the need for extraneous accessorizing.
7. Soften windows. Sheer window fabrics are elegant and let the light shine through while adding softness and personality to most spaces. Choose gauzy materials in colors that come close to those of the wall. This softens the visual transition between inside and outside.
8. Add ottomans. Replace hard and angular coffee tables with moveable ottomans. Available in a variety of fabrics and materials, ottomans soften the look of a living room while serving double-duty as extra seating.
9. Layer linens. To make a contemporary bedroom more inviting, avoid bulky or solid colored comforters. Instead, choose bedspreads, shams, and throws with a mixture of patterns and colors. A neutral bedspread can be turned down to expose blankets and sheets in slightly different colors and textures. Accent pillows in contrasting colors and contemporary patterns add visual interest and make the room more inviting.
10. Pick inviting upholstery. Big and bold patterns on sofas and chairs can be distracting and frenetic. Instead, cover furniture with plain or textured upholstery in warm colors to create a continuous flow and encourage lingering. If you really love wild patterns, choose just one piece to have fun with (a zebra pattern on a single chair seat, for example).
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