| A home with a contemporary look features | | | | recessed lighting contributes an artsy, streamlined |
| bright, airy and sophisticated living spaces that | | | | feel to ceilings and is a popular trend in |
| revel in all things current and chic, yet still offers | | | | contemporary design. |
| quiet escape and comfort. | | | | For the most part, use neutral-toned furniture to |
| Contemporary design derives much of its | | | | unify your look. Lines should be smooth and |
| boldness from pairing neutral colors, black and | | | | geometric and free of carvings and decorative |
| white with a restrained, artistic use of brighter | | | | frills. Cotton, jute, wool and linen are all ideal |
| colors. With a muted background of furniture, | | | | fabrics for upholstery and comfortable to recline |
| drapes, rugs and walls, carefully chosen colors will | | | | against. As ecological awareness reaches new |
| pop with dramatic results. For instance, consider | | | | levels, the contemporary furniture market is |
| leaving walls neutral except for one painted in | | | | crafting more and more pieces from recycled |
| your favorite vibrant hue. Because the | | | | items or sustainable lumber, like the items found |
| Contemporary style stresses a minimalist | | | | on the GREENCulture furniture site. Woods like |
| approach, you can also use color to define areas | | | | beech, birch and pine are used, with plywood and |
| and add pizzazz, such as painting a door or ceiling. | | | | medium density fiberboards gaining recognition as |
| Keep floors basic with pale wood, vinyl, laminate | | | | easy-to-clean, low maintenance alternatives to |
| or tile. Friends of the environment can use | | | | solid woods. Other contemporary materials |
| reclaimed wood for this type of flooring. Rugs | | | | commonly found in this furniture style include |
| should be a solid color or adorned with geometric | | | | steel, glass, plastics and stone. |
| patterns. If you want a more natural approach, | | | | With contemporary interiors, resist the urge to fill |
| hardy sisal and jute rugs are a popular trend. | | | | open space with more accessories. The open |
| There are two ways to approach lighting within | | | | space is an accessory that is crucial to creating an |
| the contemporary room. One way is to make the | | | | airy, structural environment in keeping with |
| light, rather than the fixture, the focus. | | | | contemporary design's minimalist look. Accents |
| Accomplish this by placing spotlights out of sight, | | | | should be spare and include textured drapes and |
| leaving their bright shafts of light to slant across | | | | textiles that lack busy or fluid patterns. For this |
| walls for theatric effect. This is particularly useful | | | | reason, sticking with two-tones is a safe bet. |
| for highlighting a favorite painting or photograph. If | | | | Apply this to any flower arrangements you plan |
| you want to focus attention of plants or | | | | to use, including placing a few bold and big blooms |
| sculptures, consider placing lights underneath your | | | | in glass vases and avoiding intricate bundles of |
| target, for a fresh uplight effect that casts | | | | buds. If you want to supply plush comfort to |
| shadow and adds interesting depth to the room. | | | | your deep seated chairs and sofas, throw on a |
| Another way to explore your lighting possibilities is | | | | few pillows in solid colors that retain a geometric |
| to let the fixtures function as art and accessories. | | | | shape. |
| Along with chandeliers and pendants, track and | | | | |