| Contemporary interior design consists of two | | | | so, simply change one painting or poster for |
| main themes: minimalist decor: no frills, and a | | | | another. (Thus, you'd mount these in such a way |
| limited palette - main colors in white, beige or | | | | that they can easily be taken down and replaced |
| black, with spots of brighter colors here and | | | | at a whim.) |
| there. This is a reaction to the many decorating | | | | Colors Contemporary design stresses three colors |
| styles of yesteryear, when every inch of wall | | | | - beige, white or black, for use in carpeting or on |
| space was covered by decoration of some kind, | | | | the walls, so that the furniture and wall hangings |
| and getting from room to room was like | | | | will stand out all the more. Spot colors then can |
| navigating through a mine field of unnecessary | | | | be used - bright blues or reds - as decoration |
| furniture. | | | | themselves, in throw rugs or lamps, for example. |
| Decor If you've got a lot of mementos and | | | | Furniture Contemporary furniture also eschews |
| ornaments and bric-a-brac that you'd like to | | | | the over-elemental. Comfortable chairs with |
| display, consider that they would have much | | | | frames of wood, steel or other metal are |
| more of an impact if you displayed only a few at | | | | decorative in their simplicity. |
| once, and alternated your displays ever few | | | | Windows Windows serve many functions in a |
| months to provide a fresh look. | | | | home. They let air and sunlight in, they keep the |
| Thus, there's no need for occasional tables | | | | hot weather outside and the cool temperatures |
| scattered throughout the house or apartment, | | | | inside, and so on. Again, the look here is a simple |
| upon which you display your treasures. A single | | | | one, with form following function. Bamboo or |
| glass cabinet can do for all. It also makes it a lot | | | | wooden shutters give with maneuverable louvers |
| easier to dust, and kids and pets can run around | | | | allow sunshine and air in, but keep one's privacy |
| free from the danger of breaking one of your | | | | intact. There's no frills to the curtains or draperies. |
| well-loved pieces. | | | | Lighting It's unusual to find ceiling lights in rooms in |
| The same principle extends to the walls. In the | | | | modern houses...standalone and accent lamps are |
| past, people have covered every square on wall | | | | the in-thing. For rooms where more light is |
| with framed photographs or paintings or posters, | | | | needed, stylish track lighting is popular, and |
| so much so that it becomes overwhelming. Better | | | | recessed lighting gives a certain civilized air to the |
| to have no more than one wall hanging per wall - | | | | room. |
| which sets off each piece nicely and allows the | | | | Contemporary interior design is a study in |
| casual visitor to enjoy it. Every three months or | | | | understated elegance. |