Archive for the ‘Living room’ category

Modernism

June 8th, 2011

Modernism actually had tentative roots in France in the mid-twentieth century, during which time certain cultural and philosophical groups questioned all aspects of traditional forms of art, architecture, literature and religions. Austerely functional in form, some might even term it stark, modernism stripped away anything strictly ornamental, focusing instead on replacing the old with the new. Emphasizing the machine age philosophy of the mid-50s, furniture designers celebrated new ideologies and technological developments, with polished surfaces, sleek profiles, pure geometric shapes and asymmetrical forms. Modern interior design for a living room is clean and minimalist, where lines and profiles are sleek and angular or uniquely asymmetrical. This style typically uses neutral palettes. It can also be bold and dramatic, with punches of color used as exclamation points in the room’s décor. Windows are often devoid of window treatments of any kind. In addition to bleached woods, glass and highly polished metals like steel and aluminum, other popular construction materials for furnishings include colorful plastics, melamine, Formica and fiberglass. Accessories such as accent pillows and ornaments are kept to a minimum.

Contemporary stiles in furniture designs

May 16th, 2011

The XX century has brought many changes into our life. These changes hardly can be overestimated. They have affected almost all spheres of our life and the furniture production was not an exclusion. For a period of hundred years three main schools have been struggling among each other. The argumentation is not finished yet.  The first school which we can name as artistic-design school has appeared on the joint of two centuries (XIX и XX) in modern style concept. It is accepted that diverse art flows which are united under this strange term have been pooling the desire to break off with old traditions which had been ruling through centuries in western furniture art. Having rejected the Renaissance, classicism and baroque achievements designers charmed with perfection and simplicity of traditional Japanese furniture had turned towards The East. Another source of inspiration for them were works of masters which had been working in BAUHAUS school in German town in 20’s years of XX century where the basis of contemporary industrial design have been working out. The growth of this style had fallen on after war period when there was strong necessity not only in furniture but also in other things. In order to establish mass production in comparatively low prices simple functional decisions were needed. And they ere found. The furniture manufactured according to artistic construction principles differs with laconism of forms and peculiarity of technical solutions. The first products-transformers which could replace several furniture items at once had appeared exactly within this school. In many cases practicalness had been improving to the detriment of beauty: all “excessive” decorative elements were casted away mercilessly. Instead of them harmonious proportions and clear lines had come. Additional aesthetic look is achieved through combination of perfect materials – wood and plastic. Designer refuses to everything which can not be produced with help of machines: incrustations, carving etc. The descendants of this furniture which had been wield power over market in 50-60 years of XX century today are our favourite wall units for living rooms, kitchen sets, tables-books and other furniture items which let you with maximum effectiveness use limited living space. It is worth to add that the leader in their production is still Germany – the country which considered the homeland to furniture in artistic construction style. The stylization tendency in furniture art which can be also called as retrospective trend successively follows old traditions adding and reconsidering them in accordance with modernity requirements. Such kind of furniture has great demand on European market where its share increases from year to year. What excitements from Italian and Spain furniture producers can we see: designers fancifully mix stylistic characteristics of rococo, Empire style and even Gothic getting eclectic style which is to be accepted be named as historical one. The heritage of the past is underwent the critical analysis as a result of which some elements are thrown off others are used in. Thus wardrobes have acquired plant patterns which can be as flat so as relief. Upholstered furniture has got into heritage bent legs stylized as lion’s legs and exquisite fretted backs. Inlaid work and upholstering make furniture reputable and big and this is also make the price higher because expensive natural materials and technologies are used in its production. As alternative it is more proper to search for “hybrid” models which combine both functionality and decoration with refinement. Though it is worth to point out that such kind of compromises are not useful for quality. Because less attention is engrossed to quality and more attention to the appearance of furniture. However many people prefer this type of furniture and the price of it is not so high in compare to other types of furniture. At last we are to mention that vanguard direction in furniture production is just presented with separate items. However we are not to underestimate their significance because exactly here experiments are made which in the nearest future will be able to change radically our imagination about contemporary furniture. Young designers not only struggle with the old ones they are also search for new alternatives which could rise the relation between human and things around him on qualitative new level. In their search they actively use the newest materials and technologies, venture with forms and they learn from nature. If you want to join to furniture vanguard then go to one of the most famous international exhibition.

Rustic Sofas

April 13th, 2011

Being the centerpiece of any living room, sofa should not only be the part of your existing décor, but also take a major role in enhancing it. There are many trends and styles in sofa furniture design for example, traditional, modern, mission style, and minimalism. In this article we will describe one of the sofas’ popular styles – rustic one.

Rustic style will be great for a living room which has outdoorsy and rugged feel. Do you want your sofa to take the living room straight from the modern city to the elegant country?  Then rustic sofas will be just for your living room. The main features of this style are comfort, untreated leather and natural material – light wood. As soon as you bought a sofa, you should think carefully about its placement; so it can serve the purpose for which it has been bought.  Simplicity is important aspect as well: straight lines and shapes create elegant and stylish look. Balance of colors is also crucial aspect to consider: some rooms may look cold and uninviting, others may have a warm look and seem like they invite you to linger and relax.

Probably the main thing is that the furniture should express your and your family tastes. Make the atmosphere where everybody will feel comfortable!