Contemporary Design Room by Room : Episode RXR-1608 -- More Projects » Figure A Shari Hiller offers these tips when considering contemporary decor: Contemporary styling is much less fussy than traditional and country styles. More often than not, the designs used in contemporary fabrics and wall coverings are geometric or stylized instead of realistic like a traditional floral might be. Frequently, a contemporary space will be mostly neutral and any burst of color in the room is in small accents or artwork (figure A). Minimalism applies when it comes to window coverings http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_styles_contemporary/article/0,1793,HGTV_3512_1399287,00.html ---------------------------------- http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_bathroom/article/0,1793,HGTV_3365_1398492,00.html Contemporary Styling Bed & Bath Design : Episode BDE-1007 -- More Projects » The new contemporary look in master suites strives for more than clean lines and no fuss: warmth and comfort have become primary goals. Host Joan Kohn joins designer Lori Fitz-Gerald to learn how contemporary decorating has evolved and how to achieve the look. Strong geometric shapes in textured finishes define the new contemporary look in bed and baths. Color, often dusty in hue, is used unexpectedly, especially in bed linens and wall color. The contemporary bed or bath uses strong lines and geometric shapes rather than ornate detail for its style. Natural materials, like this honed granite counter, provide texture and warmth to the metals and clean lines of contemporary decorating schemes. Organic elements that add texture are important elements of the contemporary look. Natural stone, wood and metal add a soft touch to clean lines. Color is used unexpectedly. It can be a vibrant accent, or color can envelop a room with textiles and wall color. The palette is usually monochromatic, with different shades of the same color. The new neutrals--green, rose, blue--are grayed and dusty. Furniture is kept to a minimum. Often the dressing area is completely separate from the sleeping area, so the only furniture in the room is the bed and night tables . Low tables and beds--especially appropriate for city lofts--are a standard element of contemporary bedrooms. Furniture has clean details, strong lines and interesting materials, rather than a lot of ornamentation. Texture can be found in hammered metal, the rough surface of slate or tile, or honed slate. --------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_styles_contemporary/article/0,1793,HGTV_3512_2703491,00.html Contemporary Style From the special online feature Design Styles Contemporary style encompasses a range of styles developed in the latter half of the 20th century. Pieces feature softened and rounded lines, as opposed to the stark lines seen in modern design. Interiors contain neutral elements and bold color and focus on the basics of line, shape and form. For a different take on a contemporary color palette, look at this bedroom designed by one of the Design on a Dime decorating teams. Straight lines give a crisp look to this contemporary living room. Take a look at a hip home office with a decidely urban edge. Colors - Contemporary interiors feature tone-on-tone color palettes relying heavily on brown, taupe, cream and pure white. Shots of color are sometimes found on one wall, in a striking floor rug or a special piece of art. Furniture - Pieces feature clean lines and smooth surfaces without any carving or adornment. Silhouettes are slim without being dainty. Furniture is made of light-colored woods like maple and birch (which also have minimal graining), frosted or clear glass, stainless steel, nickel and chrome. Fabrics - Natural fabrics like silk, wool, linen and cotton are used for their textural aspect and inherent neutral hues. However, bold color or geometric pattern may be brought into the design with pillows, a rug or throw. Lighting - The lighting design is used as an artistic statement in a contemporary interior. Floor and table lamps will have straight lines and sleek metallic finishes; color might be introduced with a special shade. Recessed or track lighting draws attention to well-placed art and accessories. See more contemporary rooms in Designers' Portfolio>> -------------------------------------------------------- Modern vs. Contemporary Decorating With Style : Episode DWS-1121 -- More Projects » Demystify the challenge of correctly identifying the differences between contemporary and modern design and learn how to personalize these similar yet dramatically different styles: Figure A Contemporary design incorporates lots of color and texture. Artwork is comfortable and colorful (figure A). Modern design uses less texture and is more about form/artistic impression rather than function. Add touches of color through artwork that makes you think and accessories. Figure B For a modern look be sure to include basic geometric shapes in decorative accents such as oversized round chrome accessories, square-edged furnishings and rectangular-patterned rugs and artwork (figure B). Wall colors are in the light and highly reflective color range--white-based greens, teals and blues as well as stark white. Paint the ceiling a crisp bright white to further emphasize dramatic architectural features. Contemporary designs call for softer lines and an emphasis on comfortable texture--everything from pitted floor tiles to soft sofa fabrics. Wall colors are warm and rich in the medium intensity range (don't use off whites or pale pastels to create a truly relaxing space). To customize the correct contemporary ceiling color, totally immerse a gloved index finger into a gallon of the chosen wall color. Quickly transfer it into a gallon of white latex flat paint, and then mix it thoroughly. Use one finger full of paint per gallon for eight-foot ceilings and two fingers per gallon for 12-foot ones. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_colors/article/0,1793,HGTV_3368_1381432,00.html -------------------------- Contemporary Design Design Basics : Episode DSB-202 -- More Projects » Smooth, clean lines are one characteristic of contemporary design. The use of light and space are the two most important elements when creating a contemporary interior. A well balanced room is comfortable and easy on the eyes. Be creative when defining your space. Let neutral hues be your background and add life and vitality with splashes of strong color. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_styles_contemporary/article/0,1793,HGTV_3512_1377700,00.html Contemporary design is difficult to define completely, but innovative, spirited and streamlined are all words to describe it. The artistic blend of materials with a focus on light and space makes this style an exciting option. Generally considered a catch-all phrase for a lot of modern applications that don't fit in anywhere else, contemporary design uses smooth clean lines, bold colors and varied fabrics and textures, all of which are often mixed with other styles to create a specific look and feeling. Anyone can create their own contemporary interior by following these design basics: Concentrate on light and space. The use of light and space are the two most important elements when creating a contemporary interior. Avoiding clutter and fussy trimmings on furniture, drapes and accessories will allow a sense of ease and simplicity that is the focal point of this style. It will also allow light to filter in and fill up your space versus unnecessary accessories. Look for balance. Whether it's choosing colors, the shapes created by your furnishings or textures and finishes used in your design, always look for balance . A well-balanced room is comfortable and easy on the eyes. Define your space. Whatever the shape--straight, curved, rounded or boxy--let smooth clean lines and shapes define your space. Be creative and incorporate your own personality . Embrace strong colors. Neutral schemes are stereotypical of contemporary design and they can certainly be very appealing, but color is critical. Let neutral hues be your background and add life and vitality with splashes of strong color. Add depth and richness with texture. Beyond visual attraction, various materials feel and even sound different. You'll be surprised how balancing these materials affects your overall design and adds character to any space. Final Thought History tends to sweep a lot of styles together--some endure, others fade away. But a good design is really a timeless concept. It's well thought out and layered to withstand the fickle nature of style and taste. Contemporary or otherwise, it respects the past, recognizes the present and anticipates the future. As time passes on, a good design will survive.

Great thread...it's great to see some of my favorite things on other's lists. I have just now been able to afford to really pick things for myself and my tastes, so some I have not had for long, but others have been with me since childhood.. My mother's lenox china (now mine) My Grandmothers sliver tea set (also mine) Various crystal and sliver candle sticks of my mom & grandmothers. Crystal vases My crystal Doilies my mother and great grandmother made Silk ribbon embrodery work of my moms Yellow, my favorite color, especially paired with blue and white. Antique pine and newer painted pine Walnut furniture Wood floors especially wide planked pine Art Glass especially that made by my mom's best friend Ceramics in vibrant colors especially red My broken tile backsplash (while new, is totally me) and I got to help create it:

I am always either far behind or far ahead of the "colors of the year"! I have some black accents in the house (the black wood legs on my 2 club chairs, a black sofa table that is probably gonna be relegated soon to the finished basement, the black surround on the fireplace that was there when I bought the house, black-wood and black-metal picture frames), but the rest of the house is lighter: brushed aluminum and stainless colored furniture, including the TV table, which I had re-powder coated from black (!), the dining room table and chairs, the ceiling fans. And some maple (a TV armoire, a console table in the MBR). I looked into getting some end tables refinished from a denim blue (don't ask!) to maple, but the furniture refinisher just shook his head and said they'd always have a blue cast. Bummer. I just wish retailers would not forget the nice maple finishes when they sell the espresso stuff! (Some of the light alternatives, to me, look ugly. West Elm has a natural finish it calls "blonde," but I think it's way off. But contrast IS nice to see. Check out the dark Parsons-type DR table paired with the very light chairs on the West Elm website I just figure "real" blonde will come back soon, affordably. But by then I'll probably be searching high and low for the espresso! Love the one you're with, I guess!

Well, the rest of my house is not so refined as this table appears. So I thought painting the table base and chairs would make this set a little more casual, but with a pretty and interesting shape. The table top is in pretty good condition, so thought I would pay respect to the wood by leaving that part alone. The legs of the chairs are pretty rough though....someone's puppy did some chewing here and there, so my intention was to use wood filler, sandpaper and paint to make them look nice again. I'm pretty good with a paintbrush, but no experience at all with wood refinishing. I'm not too worried about de-valuation....I plan on keeping this for the long term and I only paid $300 anyway. Not chump change, but I thought it was a great deal for an 8 foot table (with all the leaves in) and six chairs. I love all the pics you guys posted, so dreamy.....I think I'm in love with the way those painted tables look, especially that gray one with all the carvings....it made my heart skip a beat! If I went with the gray, I think I'd have to do the table top as well I think. I'm intrigued by those boxy tie-on seat covers, too. I need something that can be somehow moisture proofed or tossed in the washer once in a while. One of my cats loves to sleep on chairs up under a table, and once in a while, as cats will, she pukes. I covered the chairs for my kitchen table in a soft faux leather to address that problem, but I don't think that would look right on these chairs. However, I could sew a layer of vinyl on the underneath side of tie-on covers so the pads wouldn't get soaked. Have any of you ever seen cane-back chairs painted with a contrasting color on the caning? I was kind of thinking of painting one color on the table base and caning, and then another color on the wood part of the chairs for a two-tone effect. Would that be weird?? Thank you all so much for your opinions and your help! :)