Modern Country

By Andrea Kantelberg

Iremember visiting a friend in Manhattan who had just purchased a condominium. Her design tastes leaned to a more traditional style but she was a modern soul, and we worked together on combining both styles. We learned that it is possible to have a condo with country-inspired furnishings, and in fact, the contradiction makes for an interesting decor, rather than a space that looks like it came from a furniture showroom. It is individuality that bring personality to a home, so don't be affraid to put your personal stamp on it.

Modern country is about taking classic lines and softening them through the use of fabrics and paint. The balance of simple modern fabrics on traditional shapes of furniture, is what will make modern country work. It is always about the balance of modern and traditional. Examples of this concept would be the slipcovered chair or the painted white cabinet.

I would not, however, suggest that if you find an ultra sleek space that you try to fit your country-inspired furnishing into it. Instead look for a condominium that has classic simple lines, unobtrusive cabinetry, and a neutral décor?high ceilings never hurt either. You are looking for a perfect backdrop to your furnishings. Added bonuses would be high baseboards, ceiling trim, and wall mouldings. Trim is a great way to warm a space and introduce a sense of history. Consider painting the walls and trim the same colour but in different paint finishes, matte walls and semi-gloss trims, are a great way to modernize the look.

Keep the large pieces of furniture solid if possible, with the accents being the colour or pattern. Minimize your accessories, nothing ruins the look of any style more than clutter. Keep the wood pieces, (including the kitchen cabinets) in the same colour tones. The key here is to keep the scheme neutral with the large pieces and bring your colour in through the accessories.

Adding drapes, preferably solid, to your condominium space is a simple solution to creating a very comfortable home environment. A wrought iron rod also adds to the modern country look you are going for.

Area carpets are a great addition to any condominium, and a way for you to bring texture to the space. Everything from a sisal to a wool carpet would work for the look you are trying to achieve.

Powder rooms are the one room in a condominium where patterns can work. Because it is a small space you get to treat it as if it were a jewel box, so here is your opportunity to do a wallcovering in a pattern if you like. Or you can choose a textured paper such as anaglyptic and paint it a solid colour, bringing texture to the room. Some condominiums have builder standard vanities. An inexpensive option to upgrading your suite would be to replace this with a small vanity dresser unit in a country style and have the top cut out to accommodate an undermount sink.?Then add a piece of artwork and voila your jewel box is complete.

A condominium is a lifestyle choice of ease and convenience. There are currently so many great options, if you remember to bring only the pieces you love to the space, you avoid clutter. Keep in mind that space is what gives a home the feeling of luxury, colour its mood, and furniture its style.

Andrea Kantelberg is an award-winning designer, with experience spanning a wide range of diverse development and hospitality projects.