URBANISING YOUR HOME DECOR

There are so many things that you can do in order to make your home décor look more contemporary and to give it a feel of the city life. All your need is a bit of creativity and experimentation with existing elements and see how you home gets the up-to-date look.

Contemporary style of interior design has stark lines, sculptural furnishing, artistic elements, and bold colors, Glass, metals, stone and wood fit well into a contemporary interior design. Most people experimenting with this theme find it refreshingly urban.

What’s most appealing about this concept is that you do not have to splurge on expensive accessories and can make do with the existing elements in your home.

Sheer line details which are the single most important element of contemporary interiors encompass architectural shapes and curves, the bold use of black or color, background details such as soaring ceilings or tall windows as well as sculpture and art.
The colour palette in a contemporary home can be anything from a mix of neutrals , to black and white, to the use of vivid, bold colours.

Contemporary furniture style generally exhibits smooth lines. Cover it in a neutral, black or bold fabric. Fabrics often have a natural look like those woven from wool, cotton, linen, silk, or jute to add textural appeal. Keep furniture details uncluttered. Legs of coffee tables are exposed and in chunky, solid shapes. Throw pillows and cushions in geometric shapes add shots of colour and texture.

Be bold and accessories. If you love red, put it up on an accented wall or choose a bright red sofa or chair. In both furnishings and accessories, skip the small, pastel, and the run-of-the mill. Avoid ruffles, frills, floral prints, carved details, or traditional shapes. Instead, go for the bold, artistic, and sculptural prints for effect.

Flooring is generally smooth and sleek, in vinyl or standard carpeting. Area rugs can add more colour, focal interest as well as define space. Animal prints are in vogue in many contemporary rooms. Try leopard spots on pillows against a black sofa or a zebra stripes area rug.

Lighting is exceptionally important in this kind of decor. Look for unusual fixtures with sculptural interest, clean lines, and perhaps accents of bronze, copper, or metal. Install recessed lighting or track fixtures to wash your walls with light. If it's a new construction, look at installing indirect or cove lighting.

Highlight art by placing sculptures on columns or pedestals. Install specialized lighting for original art, framed prints, or even posters if you like.

Have a few large accessories well placed for strategic focus. Give each piece breathing space by leaving a zone empty around it. Frame posters and prints in classic black wood, coloured metals, or light natural woods. This not only brings focus to the art, it also gives the space a highlighted look. Hang up a group of pictures close together so they look like one large piece of art. Doing this without making it look like clutter is challenging but it is achievable. All you need to do is think of each piece as a piece of art.

Avoid making a room look cold and stark, by adding shots of warm colours and providing textural interest in fabrics, upholstery , rugs, or accessories. Warm colours include dark colours like browns, mauves and such deep shades.

Flower arrangements should be dramatic , large, and follow simple lines and shapes. Place them in modern unusually shaped containers made of steel or metal, which add to the sculptural look.

Let your plants be of the large variety that have interesting leaves. Go contemporary. Go experiment.

Courtesy:- ET dtd:- 20-03-09

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