HOW TO CREATE A WARM & INVITING CONTEMPORARY HOME

ASK THE EXPERT

By Thomas Burger

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET! -BUT- WHAT YOU GET IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU WANT!

THOMAS EXPLAINS: I’m referring to design and how to understand and approach both architecture and design when considering your dream home. It’s important to discover your style in both architecture and interior design before you try to marry them together otherwise you will not have your true dream home. You will have good architecture and good design that don’t accentuate each other’s features and in some cases detract from each other.

Architecture here in the valley is catching up with that of our neighbors, California and Arizona and it’s very easy to fall in love with many of the newer homes today. However, all too often I see architects creating homes that are stunning while empty but when it comes time to actually inhabit the space the challenges become apparent AND all too often I watch designers do their thing separate from the architecture.

With the onset of contemporary home sites now popping up in Las Vegas it’s important that design style and furnishing styles follow suit. It’s not to say that contemporary homes MUST be furnished with contemporary furnishings which most people would assume. In fact the contrast is often very pleasing to the eye. I’m not referring to style in that sense at all, instead I’m referring to shifting the focus to the quality and placement of the furnishings and art as they will be more punctuated in contemporary architecture. In other words, to choose and place pieces and materials so as to accentuate the architecture.

At the same time the architecture should be guided to accept your furnishings and art in a manner that best suits your tastes. This does not mean that the architect should create niches in walls for art, or soffits for lighting, or platforms and shelves for display, or over embellish the home with surface materials. I believe their heart is in the right place attempting to add warmth and personality but in my opinion is the worst thing one can do in any style home, contemporary or traditional. Adding unnecessary details is NOT GOOD DESIGN. In fact the opposite, I actually love extremely clean architectural environments as they are the perfect backdrop for fine furniture and art that will add abundant warmth when properly done.

It’s a beautiful thing when a contemporary home is warm and inviting and one can FEEL the owners personality and essence as a reflection in the successful marriage of the architecture and the interior furnishings of their home. As in any marriage – know how you want to feel and then make a marriage that causes you to feel that way.