Low-key design: quality vs. quantity

These days, the modern style revolves around principles of contrast, color theory, the golden mean, quality, and quantity. In general, modernists favor a more sparse look, but this doesn’t mean their style is cheap or simplistic. In fact, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is a proponent of "design restraint" but not of minimalism. An eminent interior designer, Rohe is famous for being spare, but not sterile.

Using opulent materials effectively

Iris Benaroia, an interior design writer for The Globe and Mail said, "Among the hallmarks of [Rohe’s] projects, which have often been emulated but rarely matched, are high grade materials, rich detailing, well-considered sightlines and no small amount of flair." She also describes his style as "understated opulence," which sounds like an oxymoron, but defines the modern style perfectly.

Other designers have been taking their cues from Rohe and the trend of merging "the sumptuous with the Spartan" is gaining popularity. The key to its success is choosing textures and palettes that complement each other and having a keen eye for details.

Paint palettes influence moods

When it comes to palettes, New Zealand native designer Sandra Nunnerly said she gets her inspiration from abstract and expressionist painter, Mark Rothko. Of his paintings, her favorites are those that depict color blocks whose hues bleed into each other. The subtlety of colors mixed with seemingly opposing colors into a more beautiful hole intrigues her. She also believes in the power colors have on moods. A bathroom that she designed included an incredible mosaic that mimicked the flow of a waterfall.

Lacquered walls intriguing alternative

Colors can be created in more ways than through paint, as Nunnerly has shown. Another favorite way of hers to capture color, light, and emotions is to use lacquered surfaces. "I love the light quality that reverberates off lacquered walls," she explained. "Lacquered walls are very magical at nnight-especially when candles are lit-and they’re a great foil for mohair and silks and wood."

Textures can come from the types of wall hangings, window treatments, and furnishings you incorporate into your home. A deer antler chandelier, for instance, introduces a specific texture to a space, while a decoupaged dresser or paint-sponged walls create another.

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Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/decor/how-low-key-design-can-create-high-drama/article14114010/

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