Modern vs. Contemporary Design

Story by Katie Moore - Two design styles; similar in look and often intermixed, however, the differences between modern and contemporary design are surprisingly distinct. Understanding these differences can be confusing so I will make this explanation as clear-cut as I can. Modern design refers to the modernist movement that tossed all historic design precedents out of the window and embraced the future. This style lasted from the early 1900’s (Bauhaus) to post-war (1950’s, 1960’s). Modern design is iconic, characterized by:

• Being different from the past
• Looking toward the future
• Incorporating latest materials and technological innovations, such as:
• o Plastics
  o Teak Woods
  o Artificial Woods
  o Mass Production
  o Furniture that could be disassembled then re-assembled upon delivery

Of course there are variations to modern design, from the utilitarian look of Bauhaus to the colorful Atomic era. To learn more about these variations visit www.valleymoderndesign.com, this site offers a comprehensive break-down of modern design, the history and style components pertaining to each era of the movement. Also, be sure to check out www.atomic-ranch.com to see great examples of modern design.
Contemporary design can be defined as the “here and now”. This style does take cues from modern design but also incorporates the latest styles, trends and advancements. For some great examples of contemporary design visit:
http://freshome.com/2008/04/24/contemporary-living-room-interior-ideas/
http://urbandomesticity.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/qa-day-whats-the-difference-between-modern-and-contemporary-decorating-part-2/

I hope this article helped to lift the veil of confusion between modern and contemporary design. To test your new found knowledge be sure to check out www.parnian.com, a company that specializes in wonderful examples of BOTH modern and contemporary design!