Modern Interiors

Is traditional home décor dead? Of course not. But today’s home trends—as in fashion—blend styles and eras more than ever. Terms such as “new traditional” and “new contemporary” are popping up to reflect the slight shift in what we have known. In recent years, more homeowners and interior designers have turned to modern furnishings with clean lines and simple shapes. A collected look is still preferred, so it’s not uncommon to see an heirloom piece mixed with a midcentury modern sofa and an ultracontemporary lamp. Here’s a sample of what’s new from some of the top local sources.
—Jayne Haugen Olson

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Local Leader

Minneapolis–based Room & Board has been creating, leading, and reflecting modern décor trends for years. Its expansion to both the East and West Coast in the past four years has given it an even higher profile. Among the allures are the accessible prices (without sacrificing quality), diversity of styles, and inclusion of iconic pieces from such midcentury designers as Eames, Hans J. Wegner, Eileen Gray, Nelson, and Noguchi.

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Top Designer Sources

Though purchases at International Market Square show rooms are made through an interior designer or trade professional, don’t let the middleman process hold you back from accessing some of the top furniture and home décor in town—most show rooms are open to the public for browsing. For example, Baker Knapp & Tubbs, owners of Baker furniture, is home to collections by Barbara Barry, Jacques Garcia, and the recently introduced Laura Kirar Collection (shown, Vienna armchair) of lighting, accessories, textiles, and wood and upholstered furniture inspired by midcentury design, fashion, and architecture aesthetics.

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Classic Meets Contemporary

This Fortuny Scheherazade chandelier is a perfect example of a piece designed in another period that blends excellently with the modern looks of today. Designed by Mariano Fortuny (1871–1949), the silk-shaded lights have gained popularity in the past ten years. Locally, you can purchase them from Odegard at Michael Sydney, a home furnishings resource in the North Loop neighborhood. The show room is home to the collection of contemporary carpets and rugs by internationally known designer Stephanie Odegard, a Twin Cities native and leading maker of handcrafted rugs.

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European Invasion

An exciting development of late has been the opening of show rooms representing manufacturers of European lines of kitchen and bath fixtures, storage, and cabinetry. The contemporary lines appeal to homeowners who want to blend modern style in kitchen renovations into their historic homes or suburban ramblers and those who want to create sophisticated urban lofts in downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. Check out Valcucine and Poggenpohl (shown), both at International Market Square, and Montaggio and Poliform, both located in the North Loop.

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Artful Interiors

Not only are top local furniture retailers and standout international show rooms in our midst, we have furniture designers too. In 1996, three college friends who had trained in design and architecture started Blu Dot. Their elegantly abstract yet functional pieces have appeared in exhibitions at the Walker Art Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt. The newest collection includes the Buttercup rocker (shown here). Pop culture fans take note: a Blu Dot Uptown sideboard and coffee table were part of the set of Friends. You can purchase Blue Dot locally through Macy’s Home Stores or directly at bludot.com.

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