Contemporary interior design is all about clean lines, minimalist furnishings and accessories and simple color palettes. Art deco, an architectural style popular from the 1920s until the 1940s, is all about glamour. The use of mirrors was frequent in art deco design, along with rich woods, pale color schemes and splashes of animal print. The two styles complement each other, with art deco giving a touch of sophistication to the simplicity of contemporary. Does this Spark an idea?
Color Schemes
Select a color scheme. Neutral color schemes are at the heart of contemporary design. Earth tones are the most popular colors, along with monochrome rooms in all white or beige. When choosing colors, make sure the room has color balance. Balance light walls with dark flooring. Light walls and floors can be balanced with dark seating. If you prefer light walls, flooring and furniture, have a wall of shelving or a fireplace in a rich, dark wood. An all-white room can work, but you will need to create interest with different textures--velvet drapery, berber rugs, lacquered furniture and textured upholstery. Create visual interest with your furnishings and accessories.
Furniture
Choose furniture that is appropriate in style, size and scale. Overcrowding and over-sized furniture are not elements of contemporary living rooms. Look for low-profile furniture with straight edges and simple construction. Avoid pieces with ornate details. Soften wood tables with upholstered seating. Metal is also a common element of contemporary design, so mix metal with wood for tables or metal-based seating.
Room Arrangement
Arrange furniture in a simple, balanced floor plan. While pathways should be easy to follow, simplistic doesn't mean boring. Create interest by arranging furniture on angles. An angled floor plan creates openings in between furniture and makes use of corners. A sofa angled into a corner creates a nook, ideal for a tall vase full of decorative reeds. Make sure your living room is large enough for an angled layout. Large furniture positioned at angles has a large-room footprint, so make sure your room can handle it.
Adding the Glamour
Add glamour and sophistication with art deco elements. Include splashes of color in pastels. Then instead of wood or metal furniture, look for mirrored furniture. In an all-white or cream color scheme, pinks and teals are the perfect art deco complements. Add crystal lamps for further glamour enhancement. And don't forget the animal print. No art deco room is complete without a little zebra or cheetah print. An animal skin on the floor, a velvet pillow and throw or an ottoman will be the topping on the cake for your contemporary art deco living room.
Extra Tips
Incorporate antiques into your living room. Art deco furniture and lighting are available in resale shops, antique stores and online auctions. With some homework you can find vintage chandeliers and other period pieces for your living room.
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