| What is Modern or Contemporary Furniture? | | | | baroque and gilded patterns. Deutsche Werkbund, |
| Till the late 19th and early twentieth century, | | | | a government sponsored initiative in Germany, |
| furniture was more of an ornament rather than | | | | helped to evolve many new designs and also |
| something that was made for functionality and | | | | promote the German styles throughout the world. |
| accessibility. It was painstakingly built by hand and | | | | The Bauhaus School was also a product of this |
| the greater the ornamentation and the longer it | | | | initiative, and they are believed to be the pioneers |
| took to prepare the greater was its value. But by | | | | of modern styles of furniture. |
| the early twentieth century a radical change in | | | | What are the special characteristics of |
| design and style had begun to emerge and soon | | | | Contemporary Furniture? |
| this was called modern or contemporary style of | | | | The special characteristics have always been |
| furniture. From furniture that looked heavy and | | | | simplicity and functionality. The lines are clean, and |
| was upholstered with heavy fabrics and had gilded | | | | there is very little ornamentation or elaborate |
| carvings on it, the newer furniture began to place | | | | designs. The materials are very light and often |
| emphasis on light building materials, on fabric that | | | | metals such as steel are incorporated along with |
| was patterned simply and on minimalist design. | | | | plywood or board to make an article of furniture. |
| There was a lot of focus on simplicity and on | | | | Minimalistic designs and simple streamlined styles |
| styles which let in a lot of light and on geometry | | | | are what contemporary furniture is all about. |
| and straight lines rather than elaborate patterns. | | | | How do we take care of this kind of |
| Which are the materials which are used for | | | | furniture? |
| modern furniture? | | | | Basically, as with every other product that needs |
| Molded plywood, and steel and other metals in | | | | cleaning, contemporary furniture cleaning and care |
| many forms, and plastic were some of the new | | | | depends on the materials used. Since it is not |
| materials which helped evolve these new styles. | | | | heavily carved, nor does it have gilding on it, the |
| In sharp contrast to the earlier use of only wood | | | | care processes are much simpler. A good dusting |
| to make furniture, these materials made the new | | | | is all that is required most of the time. Metal |
| designs easier to reproduce and also helped to | | | | furniture requires a good wipe and there some |
| bring down the time required to make the | | | | good cleaning sprays which will help to keep them |
| furniture and also the cost. Technological | | | | shining. |
| innovations made mass production possible, and | | | | Which accessories go will with contemporary |
| with homes becoming smaller in size, lighter | | | | furniture? |
| materials were used to make smaller and lighter | | | | As contemporary furniture evolved over the |
| furniture. | | | | years, so did the accessories to compliment it. |
| Which are the styles which have influenced | | | | Lamps were made of metal and a fusion of |
| Contemporary furniture? | | | | materials. Light fixtures also became simpler in |
| Japanese styles have had a tremendous influence | | | | design. The older heavier carpets have been |
| on modern furniture. The minimalist styles | | | | replaced with light fluffy rugs with geometrical |
| followed by them, have challenged the old | | | | patterns rather than oriental designs. |