Category: Get Inspired

Just two weeks ago we launched the beautiful new coffeemaker from Manual at our Chicago store, attended by the creator Craighton Berman and a round of intrigued customers and coffee tasters. Craighton is the designer and producer of this amazing line Manual, and also an artist and professor here in Chicago. Manual’s goal is to  produce not only aesthetically beautiful products, but also ones that ask the user to slow down while making food.

As he puts it: “We think the effort of preparing food is just as pleasurable as the food itself. We think there’s pride in making something yourself. We just aren’t all that impressed with gratuitous features. When it comes to food—we’d rather take it slow.”.

Craighton demonstrated the process of the Manual Coffeemaker (truly easy) and how to pour the hot water correctly to achieve the coffee bloom which is an important piece in order to extract the flavors from the coffee. The coffee used was from Gaslight Coffeeroasters, also here in Chicago. We are so thrilled to be offering this gorgeous coffeemaker in our store and now online. As for Craighton:

“I’m thrilled to be partnered with Unison as one of the first retailers to carry the Manual Coffeemaker Nº1—they truly understand how to bring together an amazing collection of modern home goods that strike a balance between function and form. I’m honored to be among so many objects that I appreciate (and desire).”

 

 

In continuing our exploration of modern design’s key characteristics, we land squarely on the topic of geometry.

Where traditional interiors rely on heavy texture and ornamental flourishes, the modern movement looks to clean, straight lines for its aesthetic building blocks.

Let’s take a closer look:

Back to Basics

To help achieve its hallmark of breathtaking simplicity, modern design relies, in large part, on the sharp and spare lines of its architecture, furnishings, accessories, patterns, and so on. But how did this passion for clean geometry evolve?

Modern style grew from a desire to bring function into lockstep with form, which meant setting aside unnecessary decoration in favor of crisp lines.

In the early part of the 20^th century, as industrialization swept the globe, the modern movement embraced the functionalism and new technology of its time. In light of the increasingly machine-driven global culture, much art and design in fact began to reflect the aesthetics and utility of machines themselves.

In light of all this, simple geometry quickly came to center stage. Economical, adaptable, and efficient to construct, geometric forms became a defining characteristic of the modern aesthetic—and left an endless field of play available to those of us who would embrace modern design long into the future.

Making Space for Strong Geometry

When applied decoration went out the window, new materials stepped in, and creative expression turned to a streamlined, almost futuristic look. Today, modern interiors rely on strong edges, simple curves, and geometric angles as much as ever.

At the same time, industrial materials like chrome, concrete, glass, stainless steel, and other polished elements dominate the modern interior scene—materials that seem to lend themselves naturally to strong geometric forms.

In fact, at its core, modern style is a form of extreme precision. So in many cases, the movement strives to illustrate the simplest forms: squares, rectangles, or rounds—all heightened to a new meaning and elegance by virtue of careful placement and emphasis.

Which brings us to the all-important factor of space. Much inspiration for modern design has come from the clean, geometric features of the Japanese style. In Japanese design, space is not seen as an emptiness or lack of something. On the contrary, it is considered an important design element.

Hip to Be Square at Home

You can establish a sense of structured, clean geometry in any interior space. Start with the bare bones of the room.

For flooring, walls, or other surfaces, consider clean white, oversized tiles with rectified edges, or wood floors sanded down to minimize the grain.

To highlight the natural geometric lines of a room, skip moldings or trim around windows, doors, and walls.

Think organization from the outset, but try setting bookcases and shelving into the walls, rather than letting storage elements protrude into the space.

Now for furniture. Clean and spare is the name of the game here—but don’t think that this means boring. More often than not, modern furnishings can best be described as bold, striking, and often flat-out fun. Look for clean lines at every turn, and let yourself be picky.

Finally, accessorize with flair and drama. This is a great place to begin playing with asymmetry—an effect that’s achieved by combining dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or eye attraction. Today, asymmetrical balance is one of the defining characteristics of a modern, geometrically minded space.

While more casual in feeling, asymmetry can be quite difficult to achieve. So think about starting small: on your coffee table, balance an eye-catching, radial metal bowl with a neat, straight-lined stack of boldly colored books. Whatever your attempts, it’s worth experimenting until you nail it. Asymmetry suggests movement and can lead to very lively interiors.

When you’ve achieved new heights of gorgeous geometry, post your own tips in the comments below, or share your pics with us by mentioning @UnisonHome when you share your style on Instagram. We love to see how you’re incorporating the essentials of modern design into your own interior spaces.

Simplicity. Even the word itself is beautiful – and rich in fresh, bright, and positive connotation.

As a company that embraces and purveys the modern, we live and breathe simplicity. Not only because it appeals to every clean-loving bone in our modern-loving bodies, but because it’s at the core of the design philosophy we represent.

The interior style of a home or public space is not a matter of taste alone. It’s also a reflection of certain beliefs and goals. So modern design is really shaped by and shaping its culture – both now and throughout history.

Understanding the foundations and philosophies of the modern movement can bring greater meaning to your interior spaces – and greater enjoyment to the process of defining your style!

So today, we’re taking a closer look at one core element of modern design: simplicity. We’re thinking about how it evolved, why it’s important, and how we can translate this look into our own interior spaces.

Sounds like a fun excuse to get our thinking caps on.

 

Evolving toward Simplicity

The beginning of the 20^th century was an era of huge social and political change, and these shifts quickly affected the world of interior design. The modern movement embraced new technologies that came with increased industrialization, while recognizing that this major cultural shift would need a new design language.

In response, modern design rejected the lavish excess of the Victorian Eclectic and Edwardian Art Nouveau styles. Pioneering architects and designers fused the traditional craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts movement with industrialization and mass production, aiming for (among other things) simpler forms, cleaner materials, and a rejection of ornament.

Soon, light, fresh shades replaced heavy, deep color. Intensely patterned wallpapers disappeared in favor of bright, white walls. Clean-lined steel, glass, and concrete arrived on the scene where dark, ornate furnishings and flourishes once reigned supreme. Unnecessary accessories were cast aside, opening interior spaces up for more comfortable living and entertaining.

Form and function began to dance hand-in-hand.

 

Modern Simplicity in Today’s World

In short, today’s modern style means clean, practical living.

Streamlined and sleek, modern interiors still avoid excessive accessories and ornate decoration. Which leads to a strong focus on function and organization. (Clutter: keep out!)

Polished materials like chrome and glass continue to take center stage, and furniture is defiantly simple, designed for economy of form. The shapes also reflect simplicity at every turn (or lack thereof): clean lines, functional curves, and basic shapes are hallmarks of the modern home.

Color is simple but often bold. Think monochrome walls, neutral furnishings, and bold pops of brave color peppered throughout. And speaking of bold, today’s modern patterns will knock your socks off, fusing geometric tradition with 21^st century personality for conversation-sparking looks.

More welcome today than ever, the modern home provides a calm, peaceful, and inviting reprieve from a world that beeps and buzzes with its demand for an ever-faster life.

 

Bringing Simplicity Home

Making simple beautiful isn’t as hard as it might sound.

The first trick is to keep simplicity top-of-mind with every design decision you make. When choosing a piece, ask yourself about its function. When selecting an accessory, think about how it will be incorporated into your space. (Correct answer: seamlessly.)

Remember these simple-modern basics:

Your goal is a space that feels completely clutter free. A room built on a clean foundation and punctuated with only the most meaningful and truly-you pops of color, pattern, or punch. Think standout shades, bold geometric forms, or remarkable artwork.

And remember that these pops of personality are easy (and fun) to rotate thanks to your simply modern foundation. Your clean backdrop means that taking a room from holiday time to springtime can be as simple as changing out a few throw pillows, rotating a featured piece of wall art, and inviting a gorgeous new plant in for the season.

We’d love to see what modern simplicity means to you. Join the conversation by sharing your own pics with us on Facebook or Instagram.

With the ringing in of a new year, Robert & I are making some style resolutions for the coming seasons. 3 resolutions, to be exact. (Why not keep it manageable?)

Each of these style goals for the new year is based on what we’ve learned (or re-learned) last year, and we’d like to share them with all of you – and ask you to share your own with us as well!

1. Mix More Patterns, More Often

When it comes to pattern, our tendency has long been to keep things pretty matchy-matchy. But all that’s changing, thanks not only to how the use of pattern has evolved in our own lives and home, but also to how we’ve seen others buy, combine, and live with Unison products. In the end, we’ve learned that combining and contrasting pattern can be more fun and freeing. So we’re resolving to mix it up more than ever this year.

One key tip for making this work in your own pad: vary the scale of patterns. If you’re picking 3 patterned throw pillows to combine (a great number), go for 1 small scale pattern, 1 medium scale, and 1 large scale. Your patterns will play much more nicely together if they’re not competing on the size front.

2. Embrace Color Wall Paint

We are still white paint fanatics at home, but bringing color backgrounds onto our photo shoots has definitely created some strong vibes for bold wall color. I doubt we would ever do a whole room, but we have resolved to get into the accent wall, wherever fitting.

A single wall in cobalt blue or pale pink can take a room from fine to fabulous. The trick is using quality paint so that the color shows beautifully and will stand the test of time.

3. Always Set a Proper Table

Even for a quick breakfast at home, we still set out napkins, the necessary flatware, glassware, and plates. We think it’s of the utmost importance to not only eat together – sharing conversation and face time – but to create a very simple, properly set table when doing so.

If you do this every day, you’ll soon find yourself going a bit further, using place mats or tablecloths and candles at dinner. Bon appétit!

What about you?

Do you have any style resolutions of your own? We’d love to hear about them in the comments area below.

Happy New Year!