18 Examples of Contemporary Takes on Major Decorating Styles
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Decor styles, like everything in life, change and adapt. What was once easily recognised as eclectic, Scandi or Hamptons-style home decor has also evolved. Here, we show you contemporary takes on each of the main styles prevalent in Australia. You can see how Scandi style has grown from set pieces in endless blond wood to something more curated. Likewise, the homestead look no longer relies on acres of wood and colonial signifiers, and now embraces a much lighter touch. And nowadays, the Hamptons aesthetic may not even require blue-and-white striped cushions.
Aspects that have been refined: More curation of items rather than random tones and colour. This interpretation chooses underlying consistency.
2. 21st Century Homestead
Aspects that remain: Tactility of materials and timber elements.
Loving these looks? Find an interior designer on Houzz to welcome your home into the 21st century
Aspects that remain: Tactility of materials and timber elements.
Loving these looks? Find an interior designer on Houzz to welcome your home into the 21st century
Aspects that have been refined: Heavy wood and colonial references.
3. The New Scandi
Aspects that remain: A pared-back style with lighter timber species.
Aspects that remain: A pared-back style with lighter timber species.
Aspects that have been refined: A total fidelity to blond wood.
4. Pared-Back Hamptons
Aspects that remain: Recessed panels and pendant lights as the focus of the Hamptons-style kitchen.
Aspects that remain: Recessed panels and pendant lights as the focus of the Hamptons-style kitchen.
Aspects that have been refined: The necessity for blue and white stripes.
See more beautiful coastal-style homes
See more beautiful coastal-style homes
5. A Different Take on Bringing the Outdoors In
Aspects that remain: The view to nature, including borrowed vistas.
Aspects that remain: The view to nature, including borrowed vistas.
Aspects that have been refined: The adherence to continung the same materials from indoors to out.
6. The New Dark
Aspects that remain: The embrace of dark hues to create atmosphere and using deep colours to make the area visually recede.
Aspects that remain: The embrace of dark hues to create atmosphere and using deep colours to make the area visually recede.
Aspects that have been refined: Being scared to embrace darker colours in their entirety. Going all the way is the new black.
7. The New Maximalism
Aspects that remain: The joyful mixing of pattern, colour and materials.
Aspects that remain: The joyful mixing of pattern, colour and materials.
Aspects that have been refined: The need for bling.
8. The New Minimalism
Aspects that remain: Streamlined focal points and a lack of visual clutter.
Aspects that remain: Streamlined focal points and a lack of visual clutter.
Aspects that have been refined: Using form to add interest rather than furniture and homewares. All-white colour palettes have also been given the boot.
9. The New-Old-Meets Look
Aspects that remain: A mixing of heritage and modern aesthetics.
Aspects that remain: A mixing of heritage and modern aesthetics.
Aspects that have been refined: Keeping the built environment’s heritage elements and choosing one (or a few) of them to connect modern decor to a home’s bones.
Your turn
Which is your favourite contemporary take on traditional decorating styles? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
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Ready for your next dose of visual inspiration? Check out this Picture Perfect: 20 Outdoor Conversation Pits With Holiday Vibes
Your turn
Which is your favourite contemporary take on traditional decorating styles? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Ready for your next dose of visual inspiration? Check out this Picture Perfect: 20 Outdoor Conversation Pits With Holiday Vibes
Aspects that remain: A mix of furniture styles, colour and pattern.