You’d have to be hiding under a rock not to notice that January is all about trends in the design world. A new year means it time to reflect on what’s in and what’s out. Unlike the fashion industry, trends in interior design take longer to shift and adjust. You may see something happening for a number of years before it really comes into its own.
One of the trends that has been picking up steam lately is the warming and softening of modernism. With the addition of lots of global and organic elements, it’s becoming less cold and streamlined than it once was.
Commune Design in House Beautiful, photos Amy Neusinger
Commune Design in Los Angeles are masters of this new Global Modernism. Their projects like the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and the their recent renovation of the above house in Los Angeles illustrates their deft skill at combining clean modern lines with weathered, organic elements and global touches. Vintage Moroccan rugs, kilim pillows, hand thrown pottery and warm, earthly colours give this home a comfortable, lived in look.
To achieve something similar in your own home think about including natural materials that will get better with age like slate or marble. Vintage ethnic textiles like Beni Ourain rugs or pillows made from old kilims will give your home some global flair.
Kilim Pillows - Vintage - similar at Sukan and Holy Cow!
Lightweight Ethiopian Cream Cotton Throw - Creative Women
Brass Organic Shaped Bowl - Chair, Table, Lamp
Air Plants - Poppies
Honed Black Slate countertops - Acme Slate - Ebony
Honed Danube Grey Limestone - Marble Trend
Spanish Moss Bone Knobs - Anthropologie
Weathered Oak Wood
Teak Wood
Paint Colours - Benjamin Moore - 2144-10 Guacamole, 2053-20 Dark Teal, 2051-20 Pine Green, 2147-20 Olive Moss
Weathered wood is another important part of this look. Built-in cabinets made with reclaimed wood or a salvaged coffee table are a great way to add a bit of irregularity and spontaneity to your home. The warmer tones of brass look better with this softer modernism than the coldness of chrome or polished nickel. Think about adding some brass hardware to your cabinets or adding in a brass pendant or task light.
There is a touch of the 1970s to this look and colours from that period like avocado and moss green are making a bit of a comeback. (Just don’t buy a complete set of applainces or bathroom fixtures in that shade!) Think about painting one wall or adding a piece of furniture in one of these colours. Finally some hand thrown pottery and air plants finish off the look.
Emma Reddington is the lifestyle maven behind the acclaimed blog, TheMarionHouseBook.com, where she experiments with interior design, cooking, baking and do-it-yourself projects.
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