Is there a warm version of minimal?

By using warm colours but I don't like warm colours. That's the problem. How does one make cool and minimal feel warm and cozy. Is it even possible?

This is an example of warm but minimal -- of course -- the art and the accessories could be changed to a modern feel -- but the design is clean and uncluttered...

As noted above -- look at the use of textures in this design ... everything from sleek and shiny to warm ....

Here is a link that might be useful: Phoebe Howard -- warm but minimal

Teacats' picture is rather similar to what warm minimal brings to my mind: Imagine, for example, a nice luxury high-rise apartment somewhere. Furniture with very simple lines but specifically comfortable. Wall-to-wall carpeting providing aural and tootsie and visual simplicity. A few pieces of very fine art. Everything very simple and uncluttered but the very opposite of austere. I've seen many dozens of these over the years in expensive decorating magazines, executed in whatever color schemes were desired.

Warm and minimal makes me think of Shaker style. They used a lot of warm colors like deep yellows and cranberry reds. And there was a lot of wood tones, like cherry, that seem warm to me.

Now, if you add a lot of "Kountry Klutter" to make it cute, then it's ruined. But real Shaker style is warm while being minimalist.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shaker bedroom

In my book, "minimal" is about editing down to the essential, and not a style in its own right. And Phoebe Howard is an excellent example of how strict editing of beautiful things can give you both clean lines and warmth.

What adds warmth is great ergonomics and soft surfaces for sitting on, hand-made things, soothing images, careful lighting, and patina on the materials. That patina is what gives period Scandinavian modern furniture the warmth that new reproductions don't yet have.

I think the two can intersect. These spaces are clean-lined (well, except for the chandelier!), uncluttered, airy, warm, and embracing ... all at the same time.

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And then they go and ruin the first pic by putting umpteen pictures on the wall.

I admire cozy and warm rooms and the way in which they are put together by people. Do I want to live in one - no. That is how I reconcile it.

And then they go and ruin the first pic by putting umpteen pictures on the wall.

Precisely the touch that I think really gives the space its warmth!

I think it is the size and arrangement of all those pictures that bothers me a little.

I'd rather see three really huge ones, strictly uniform in frame but lively and warm in image.

I think warm minimal is definitely possible. Wood, cozy fabrics, and lighting all add warmth to a space without adding clutter. That said, I think you can also do minimal with warm colors.

Here are some pics that I think are warm but still uncluttered. My preference is mid-century modern, and I just pulled these from inspiration pics I have. I know MCM isn't everyone's cup of tea, though.

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I think this bed looks so cozy, although the rest of the house looks pretty cold.
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There is a minimalist house somewhere that has rooms within the rooms--basically giant closets that open up and display all these kind of personal things, and objects needed for their --psychological comfort I guess--and then then can close it off and be back in their minimalist white box with six chairs and a table, or a bed and nightstand, etc.

Yillimuh - yes, except the books have to be put away.

bronwynsmom - re the pics - I agree.

Here is exactly what I was searching for. I had asked in the other thread how to do Victorian and spartan at the same time. Then I went looking and someone has done it beautifully in London. Now I have my pictures to look at and maybe attempt something along this line. c

Here is a link that might be useful: Spartan Victorian

I think one can approach a room from a minimalist standpoint at the outset and move forward from there.

Make sure everything it perfect about the shell of the room so even empty, it is at least pleasing, or has interest. This is easier in a house with architectural details like the Victorian, but even in a regular house you should be able to accomplish this in the main rooms. Don't think of the room as "furniture will cover that".

Minimalists have to plan all the little finishing details, and even switch and receptacle placement, etc, and try to minimize flaws in the physical surfaces of their rooms, because they don't have a lot of contents as "camouflage". I think it can be a more satisfying room even if you end up with a fair amount of "stuff" in it, if you take the approach that you want it to look good even without.

One of the reasons that we respond so well to old houses is not just the details, it's that the empty rooms have a pleasing proportion and sense of "place" that a lot of newer construction lacks.

Pal..beautifully stated.

it's that the empty rooms have a pleasing proportion and sense of "place" that a lot of newer construction lacks.
Exactly why I love my home and am looking at with new eyes. I have been here 10 years... I am really enjoying this thread and the one on art as well. Very thought provoking. c

I like that, Caroline!

I have a friend who has 'edited' her home, and IMO, it's taken that cozy feeling away. Maybe it's the drab colors she has in her home, but it doesn't seem to have 'life', or 'soul'. It has a total lack of personality and when I walk in, no warmth.

Some of the rooms posted still feel they have life or can still be thought of as cozy. I can't put my finger on it, but her home has lost 'that lovin feeling'. ;o)

I'm not sure that one can make "cool colours, modern lines and minimal clutter" warm and cozy. Cold isn't warm. I think one out of the 3 requirements would have to be eliminated or at least compromised. Add a little warm color, even warm wood tones OR one piece of furniture that's vintage or antique OR at least has some curves OR add some texture or items that have personal meaning. Stark cannot IMO be cozy.

I love the hanging lights over the island in that house, Trailrunner.

Jenangelcat, the warmth can come from touches of warm color. You may not want warm walls, but how about warm colors in a painting?
Also, how cool must the colors be for you to like them? (I'm in a foreign country here; I like warm colors.) There are warmer and cooler blues. There are very warm greens. Maybe if you explore your likes and dislikes in more detail, it will help.

What a great discussion!

One of the things that hasn't been mentioned here is using natural materials, especially plant material, but cork, grasscloth, etc can also be used. In many of these photos, it's the wood that adds the warmth.

I am also a big believer in houseplants. Having a living thing in the room is important, and plants give a room a spark of life that can be otherwise missing.

I just redid my living room a couple of weeks ago and the floors are dark grey laminate and the walls are a bluish grey. We ordered a blue velvet sofa that is trimmed with shiny silver buttons and two chairs. One chair is a solid grey suiting type fabric and the other is a grey and white pattern. We have a wall full of bookshelves (with actual books on them) so that helps avoid the stark look.

I tend to avoid wood colours because they always seem too orangey or red to me but I did move my antique wood treadle sewing machine table in their to function as a tv stand.

I actually added a nice fall orange to the room via throw pillows but now that I've order that velvet sofa, I think they'll be slightly out of place. That's how it goes with me. I intend to warm a room up and then come home with cooler stuff. It's fine in the summer but come winter I'll be wishing it looked more warm and cozy.

Did I mention that I'm extremely fickle? I annoy myself with my contradictory ways.

Minimalist and warm are certainly possible, using wood is one of the easiest ways to warm up a room. Jenangelcat, I'm with you about orange and red woods, but both walnut and teak read very brown to me, little or no red.

Youngdeb, agree 100 percent about plants. I have plants in every room I think, including our new rather minimalist master bath. I'm in a minority here though, I almost never see plants featured in spaces here on GW. Not sure why.

I'm drawn to rooms like that too Trailrunner, re "Spartan Victorian". I've tried the cluttery lived-in look but always feel more comfortable in the other. However, I do have one room in my house - the library - where over stuffed furniture,rugs, tables, books, and framed artwork abound. I like it and retreat there; but don't spend most of my time there.