5 Key Elements That Define Contemporary Interior Design

If your interior decorating sensibilities are marked by the use of modern and minimalist things, you are unwittingly a follower of the contemporary style. While many consider this style to be cold and lacking warmth, modern homes with contemporary interiors are anything but that. They are warm and welcoming without being too stuffy and dingy. Defined by a sense of subtlety, simplicity, and elegance, this style focuses on the space rather than the things in it.

Here are some intrinsic elements that lend a space the contemporary touch:

1. Clever use of color

Contemporary style interiors are bathed in muted neutrals, along with black and white. They make use of a sophisticated color palette to create a space with a dynamic atmosphere. Bold. Vibrant colors are used to punctuate the neutral tone for a touch of freshness.

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2. Blend of textures and materials

The ambiance of space is largely influenced by the textures. Contemporary home designers gravitate towards mixing different textures and materials to keep the space from looking too monotonous. For instance, elements like furniture pieces with a live edge can be matched with neutral-toned upholstery to make space look minimal yet warm.

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3. Simple shapes and crisp lines

Some contemporary interiors call for angular, geometric shapes while some are more suited for soft and curvy shapes. However, when it comes to lines, they should be strong and crisp. High ceilings, big, bare windows and the use of bold color blocks are ways in which strong lines are achieved in contemporary spaces

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4. The juxtaposition of industrial and natural elements

In contemporary interiors, it is not completely unusual to see the use of an assortment of elements, such as metal pipes paired with polished wood. Even though the tough industrial decor of the past few seasons has given way to softer styles, blending the two is a great way to add some interest to space.

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5. Open designs

If you want to create a sense of openness and spaciousness in your house, the contemporary style is your best friend. Large, open spaces that seamlessly flow from one room to another come together to create a homogeneous whole. The use of large windows adds to that aura by bringing in plenty of natural light, which eliminates the need for artificial lighting during the day.

When making interior design choices, it is ultimately your personality and aesthetic sensibilities that should matter. Sure, that can seem difficult when you are not sure what you want. We, at Avanzato Designs, can help you find your style. We are a luxury interior designer in South Florida. Contact us to set up a consultation session !

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James Emil Bisttram

James Emil Bisttram, a native of Hungary, moved to New York City with his family at the age of eleven. Growing up as a commercial artist, Bisttram began to tailor his craft, creating a unique and identifiable style after years of studying successively at the National Academy of Design, Cooper Union, the Art Students League and the New York School of Fine and Applied Art. His works are a mix of dynamic symmetry and creative compositions reflective of the cosmic abstraction trends of the time heavily influenced by artist such as Picasso and Kandinksy. Each piece of art would make a beautiful addition in any home where classic art is treasured.

Florence Broadhurst

For this week’s, “Designer’s Pick” we’re introducing the works of Florence Broadhurst, an artist, painter and wallpaper designer extraordinaire! Famous not only for her creative collection of works, but also for her over the top, charismatic and fearless lifestyle. She will be forever remembered in the design world for her hand painted prints and patterns that were used to create a complex and eccentric line of fabrics and wallpaper. Born in rural Queensland, Australia in 1899, by the time of her death, the multitalented artist had lived and worked in Australia, Asia and Europe. Broadhurst started her career as a singer, traveling abroad to perform, but later switched paths in 1933 and moved to London where she took on the task of running a dress salon. After spending several years there, Broadhurst eventually returned home to Australia and grew to developed a deep passion for the art of pattern and print-making. Her passion lead to her opening her own wallpaper business where she crafted hundreds of luxuriously rich patterns, each complex in design and slightly eccentric in style. She worked, continually expanding her assortment, up until her death in 1977. Today her story continues through Wilson Fabrics and Wallcoverings where her collection has been launched in the US, Europe and Asia.

Designer's Pick - Alex Turco

Born in Udine, Italy, Alex Turco is an innovative artist known for his striking floor to ceiling decorative panels that ingeniously combine the art of photography with the skill of multi-media graphics. As the son of a painter, Alex was always encouraged to explore his artistic passions and refine his skills and techniques. Having experienced some commercial success, he opened a flagship store in Miami’s Design District in 2009. This is where we, the team at Avanzato Design, first came face to face with the beauty in his elegant works of art.  Having recently used his pieces in a conceptual design for the W Hotel residence in Miami Beach, we found that his illustrations created the perfect accent to our styled interiors by adding a hint of magic and innovation. In the master bedroom we featured a purple monolith stone design and in the guest bath a stunning Celestine agate stone.

Ceramic Artist - Erin McGuiness

For this week’s “Designer’s Pick” we’re introducing California based artist Erin McGuiness, an accomplished sculptor recognized for her elegant hand-coiled vessels made from a mixture of stoneware and porcelain.  Each piece is a one of a kind work of art built up using a method of design called “coil building,” a process in which thin pieces of clay are flattened out and stacked vertically to create the forms of each vessel. Her collection includes beautiful showpieces that are made to be cherished by those with a deep appreciation for beauty, history and art.

Ferdinand Cheval

In 1879, at the age of 43, a postman by the name of Ferdinand Cheval began an exceptional undertaking that would greatly influence his life, and subsequently the course of art history. During one of his many travels throughout France, he stumbled upon a small stone that, due to its unique shape and form, captured his attention and sparked his imagination. Thoroughly intrigued, Cheval began collecting these rocks, wheeling them back to his garden. These stones were eventually used as the foundation to one of the most extraordinary works of architectural design ever conceived.  Equipped with no previous design experience, Cheval worked by trial and error to build this stunning work of art now known as the “Palais.” Influenced in design by the Assyrian ruins and Aztec temples, Cheval used local lime mortar and pure ingenuity to create a dramatically styled design overflowing with imagination and creativity. It’s hard to believe that such a remarkable undertaking was a result of one man’s labor of love.

In 1969, the Palais was declared a national monument in France. To this day, it continues to be an inspiration to architects and artists from around the world as many travel far and wide to catch a glimpse of its beauty.

PALM BEACH FAIRY

Can’t believe January is almost over! After all the little things we do in order to transition into the new year; attending parties, family gatherings, setting our schedules, cleaning out and setting new goals, we hopefully still feel the refreshing spirit of starting with a clean slate. If taking time to slow down is on your new year’s resolution list, let us introduce a great fabric scheme to spend some quality time with. This month we are delighting in a wonderfully soothing colour palette. We are using lilac to evoke tranquility, it is a consistently cool restful hue throughout the chosen silks, velvet and patterned fabrics coupled with ”the green fairy” also known in French as “La Fée Absinthe”. This notorious elixir of absinthe wood, anise and spices, is a natural spirit yet is also intoxicating and esteemed as a bohemian beverage. Designers of every kind are captivated by the depth of its light green shade, well illustrated in this beautifully white-embroidery on silk (#6) as well as hints of it in the embroidered linen (#7). Other shades of green help ground the palette with a lighter willow shade and a deeper green-tea silk, interestingly both are colours found in our lush Florida vegetation. The clean whites give an airy “Palm Beach” look; fabulous, fresh, and sunny. Perfect for taking time off to indulge.

1. SOLANGE, PARME /MANUEL CANOVAS
2. VERSAILLES VELVET /KRAVET
3. PAVILLON SILK, GREEN TEA /KRAVET
4. CHARLES, LILAS /MANUEL CANOVAS
5. COUTURE HERRINGBONE, WILLOW /GLANT
6. STARS, ABSINTHE /MANUEL CANOVAS
7. BEAUREGARD, ABSINTHE, TURQUOISE /MANUEL CANOVAS

DESIGNER’S PICK OF THE MONTH: Glass Artist Robert Kaindl

For this week’s Designer’s Pick, we’ve chosen to introduce a collection of cus­tom hand blown glass works designed by international glass artist Robert Kaindl. Each piece, uniquely styled, would make a stunning visual in any space to which they were introduced. From intricately detailed table ornaments to large scale sculptural works of art, Kaindl’s masterpieces are a result of a tremendous amount of physical toil as well as attention to detail. Each piece is a creative expression of his imagination. Working to exceed his client’s expectations while still staying true to his artistic vision, Kaindl has successfully put together an exciting collection overflowing with color and expressive design. We love it!

DESIGNER’S PICK OF THE MONTH: Favrile Glass Vases

A well designed vase is visually intriguing enough to stand alone without decorative accessories or fillers. For this week’s “Designer Pick” we’ve chosen to introduce a stunning collection of Favrile glass vases from the Corning Museum. The art of Favrile glass making is a technique, invented by Louis Comfort Tiffany,  that was first introduced to the public in 1896. Differing from traditional iridescent glass designs, during the process of Favrile glass construction, color is infused into the glass itself instead of being layered onto the finished surface. The end result is a brilliant design with a very distinctive color way and flair. When styling a space, these vases are great for adding visual depth and interest.

Liberty Mosaic Tiles

Liberty is a stunning contemporary collection of mosaic tiles designed by Giulio Candussio for TREND. Made up of an array of colors, each Liberty pattern was heavily inspired by the geometrically styled designs so often associated with the Art Deco movement. By mixing traditional principles of construction with a modern outlook on design, TREND was able to put together a beautiful collection that represents the highest quality of both craftsmanship and design. Featured below are just a few of the many color combinations and styles featured in the Liberty line. Take a look and be inspired!

Design Miami 2012

After having attended the Design Miami 2012 exhibition for the first time this past week, I realized that I had been missing out on a crucial part of the Miami design culture. The showing is a global forum for collectors, gallerist, curators and critics that allows one the means of showcasing and discussing exciting and innovative ideas involving furniture, lighting and art. Featured below are a few collections from the exhibition that caught our eye.

Upon entering the pavilion that housed the 2012 Design Miami event, guests were immediately greeted by the “Drift,” a large scaled sculptural design created by Janelle Zara. The display was made using inflated tubes that had been bundled together and suspended from the ceiling. This created in the space a towering topographical effect. The end result completely transformed the entry, making for a striking visual and setting the stage for what was to come.

“Lost In Time” is an amazing display put together by Glithero that featured beautifully layered and draped chains suspended over water. Accented with soft lighting, the reflection created for viewers a calming aura and breathtaking view.

This contemporary collection entitled SEOMI, was put together by various Korean designers who all worked together towards the goal of combining visual art with functional design. Each piece, meticulously hand made, showcases an impeccably high level of craftsmanship as traditional Korean techniques were combined with contemporary designs. Minimalistic in construction, each furnishing could standalone as a unique one of a kind work of art.

Naturoscopie is a limited edition collection of lighting, shelves, tables and mirrors designed entirely from synthetic materials. Each piece, made to read somewhat like a shadow box, becomes instantly intriguing when paired with its organically shaped frame. To create the functioning showpiece, LED lights were encased with mirrors and colored surfaces to produce a unique output of color and movement.

DESIGNER'S PICK: Aboriginal Art

For today’s “Designer Pick” we’re taking a look inside a collection of astounding artwork created by Australian Aborigines. The assortment of vivid paintings,  all created to illustrate the richness and beauty found in their native land and culture, date back to the 1970s in the Western Desert of Australia. Here aborigines would gather in small groups and work collectively on striking paintings created on top of wooden board scraps. As their works became more refined, acrylics were then used on canvases to capture the richness and overall earthy palette that has become a signature to the collection. Each piece would make for a stunning display and a treasured keepsake to anyone with an appreciation for art and an eye for beauty.