Dec 17, 2022

Modern Design & Wall Art, Everything You Need to Know.

Modern Wall art & Design.

Modern art & design decoration with wall posters. Postenio.

Let's start from the scratch. For a lot of us it seems the same but Modern and Contemporary are 2 different things; and sometimes, yes, sometimes can be tricky. The fact that these terms are often used interchangeably also tends to throw some people for a loop. Think of it this way - what we consider to be modern at the present is somewhat synonymous with contemporary design, while Modern (with a capital "m") refers to the aesthetic that established the foundation of contemporary art & design as we know it today.

"Whe we speak of Modern art & design, three elements come to mind: clean lines, meaningful pieces, and an edited approach." It's all about minimalism and refinement - it sticks to the basics yet nothing is basic about it!"

Modern (with a capital M) Design & Wall Art Definition.

Modern design plays an important role in how we view design at the present. Think of it as a sort of a "retro" version of the future. In Modernism, you have elements that are extremely tailored and streamlined, thoughtully placed but never overly symmetrical, and edited down, embodying the idea of "less is more". Here are the trademark characteristics of Modern Style.

A palette of natural, earthy tones with contrasting accents that can include primary colors, black and even lustrous metal.
An open-layout floor plan that joins multiple spaces into one, promoting an airy ambiance.
Clean lines, sleek surfaces, and a minimalist aesthetic.
Intentional decor with functionality at its core - but without compromising style.
Warm woods, stone, and leather details.

Modern design and wall art was born from a need for simplicity.

For every ornate fixture and rich patterned textile, Modernity presented a streamlined alternative - a pared-down approach to decor. Taking root at the turn of the 20th century, Modern art was inspired by the sense minimalism of Scandinavian Decoration and wall art and the rigid, no-frills sensibility of the movements that followed, instantly becoming an antidote for the excessive and extravagant.

΄΄ Τhink of the clean, crips work of the Bauhaus school or some of the futuristic Deco styles of the 1920s.΄΄Τhis was then adopted and adapted in other parts of the world, most significantly Sancdinavia, which birthed what most of us know as mid-century modern style, which focused on simple silhouettes, woods, and natural materials.΄΄

Μοndiran's abstract work in red, blue and yellow.
The iconic chairs of Eames's.
Le Corbusier's visionary linear architecture and furnishings.

While the retro label can now be used to describe styles like industrial or even modern farmhouse, as its core, Modern is also retro - and this style has remained the same: refined yet approachable and totally uncluttered.

Modern vs. contemporary

Think of contemporary art as Modern art's trendy cousin, and contemporary art is essentially most of what you're seen on instagram feed or in the pages of a magazine today.

It's confident because it knows it has all the ΄right pieces΄, there's a focus on accessorizing and a neutral palette with occasional highlight of color.
Modern art & style, on the other hand, will feature functional and simple pieces with darker tones and heavier materials such as leather and wood.

Generally speaking, Modern art & style excluded ΄΄popular΄΄ accents or any sort of superfluous decor.

Modern living decoration with wall poster of the fireplace. Postenio.

Modern vs. mid-century modern.

An offshoot of Modern art, mid-century modernism art reigned supreme in the early 1950s. It introduced a broader spectrum of colors and more shapely forms to decor, which offset the sleek and contoured structure of Modern art & style, its parents style.

Mid-century modern style living room and wall posters on the fire place. Postenio Interiors team.

How to get the Modern look

Here's how to get the iconic Modern art & style aesthetic home:

Paint walls gray or cream and offset them with darker furnishings for high-contrast look.
Be playful with balance and proportion and go for an asymmetrical furniture arrangement.
Opt for furniture that marries plywood and leather.
Store with grid-inspired shelving units.
Incorporate materials such as polished chrome, natural wood, and aniline leather for a smooth finish.