Minimalism

The financial crisis brought commercialism and spending to the forefront of everyone's mind. Style imitates life, so it's no surprise that a minimalized style came back into chic. It wasn't long until minimalism was all over modern home design. Interior designers working in apartments started recommending less and less.

Minimalism in design seeks to strip us down so that we are the focus, not the room around us. The few bold pieces in a truly minimal environment make bigger statements. Art is devoid of excess lines, clothes lack flair. Confidence stems from this simplicity.

Minimalism often seeks to create a sense of spaciousness by removing unnecessary barriers and highlighting functional pieces. The lack of excess flourish allows the center of attention to be the room itself. I like to say that it takes the attention off the things and onto the person.

Minimalism isn't about being boring, it's about being tactical. We don't want the pieces to battle for attention, we want each to strike out in it's particular way. Traditional concepts of minimal style seem to imply that the style suffers. Not at all, the style itself is highlighted by removing the noise around it. By removing the noise around you.

Minimalism in design also has some interesting social implications. First, it asks that designers produce quality, not quantity. Secondly, it generally uses eco-friendly materials and design habits. Small companies benefit as interesting, handcrafted wears become more and more important.

In the past few years, minimalism has really taken off as a philosophy as well. Bloggers have turned huge followings into leverage-able incomes off their musings on the topic. To that tune, on Monday we'll see some thoughts of the current torch-holder of Minimalism, Josh Millburn. Josh co-runs the blog The Minimalists and frequently published deep, thought provoking essays (something he distinguishes from Posts or Blogging).

Ombre Patterns

As the fertility of summer leaves fades away, Mother Nature is gradually remodeling her leafy color schemes to those of varying degrees of reds, ochres, and hazels.

To echo the rustic integrity of nature, one may integrate the style of Autumn Ombre tones as bringing a cozy and naturalistic setting to any home.

Ombre-the gradual fading affect of colors- is shown through the sunsets and sunrises, ocean and beach decors that come to radiate an almost perfectionist simplicity despite its gradual array of colors.

A Martha Stewart Ombre Pendant lamp is formed with layers of cotton to create a gradual and warm translucence. The simple structure forms a centralized fixture combined with a sleek and cylindrical shape to maintain a prosaic balance. However, the ochre pattern commands a presence that reproduces the invigorating sepia glow of sunlight through autumn leaves.

The fluctuation of single or various pigments can create an effervescent environment with the space in which you live. Complimenting ombre patterns with similar hues in other household objects can create a sense of balance in an entire room, but it will also magnify the prominent variety of shades. Antiques embellished in ombre can not only enhance the natural flow of color, but give an aging and rustic pulchritude a modern elegance.

While some may like to vary the dimensions and vibrancy of some patterns, ombre fluctuates smoothly from each changing color to create a mood of tranquil evolution in a given object’s design. The patterns and color ranges from a minimalist one toned hues to an inventive take on nature’s ever changing qualities of seasons.

Light up the Room

Form and function. No fad, trend, or passing fancy can ever deny the style of functional piece. Gaudy eras still had breathtaking lamps. Modern home decor minimalism maintains the importance of a hanging light.

Lights are an integral part of your room and you choice of their prominence and placement has huge consequences for the space in question.

Lights like a desk lamp are often at their best when they attract little attention. Your desk is a space for you to concentrate, so a sleek design and user friendly mobility should be the focus. For such brilliant utility, turn to the KR W081t1, a 2 arm Task Lamp with a name as technical as it's design is simple.

Or you can opt for something a bit more quirky. For instance: this design classic, the Block Lamp, adds an icy light to any space. Set a few on the table for some quick ambiance.

Flexible, sleek, efficient. The Loft Floor Lamp exemplifies form and function in modern home decor. Made to rigorous standards, the design was originally conceived in the 50's as the penultimate work lamp. 60 years later, we're sold.

Lamp varieties are nearly limitless. Wall hangings, desk lamps, pendants. You name it, there's a light for it. Browse our wares to find the one just right for you.

Take a Seat

When I was younger I had a cousin who was huge on philosophical debates. We’d go off on various tangents, disproving and counter-pointing.

Chairs, for all their variety, became our calling card for relativity and perfection. Sentences beginning with “everyone likes…” or “No one…” would be cut down in their infancy with a crack about a chair.

Our point? No one can ever define or design the perfect chair. Some chairs are made for me, some for you. I’ll like recliners, you’ll like swivel chairs. What is a perfect chair anyway? Throw tree stumps and big rocks into the mix and we’re all scratching our heads.

These designers had a go at the question (though they avoid stumps and stones).

This sleek re-imagining of the recliner has mild hints of 1950’s and a small, easy-fit frame. The Cloud chair rests low to the ground but is more than comfortable enough for even your taller friends. The clever reclining mechanism even let’s you shift which end is back. But, then again, What is a back?

Before we get off on that tangent, check out this pouf which throws all convention to the wind.

The Fatboy is like the bean-bag-chair who dusted away the Doritos and went pro. Like the Cloud chair, it fits about anywhere and is as versatile as you please. It comes in a huge variety of colors (camo, anyone?) so any room can fit a Fatboy.

Do seats fit to the sitter? Or do we fit to our seats? Regardless, finding the perfect comfy something special for that certain special spot is key to making somewhere a home.

Horne Style

Horne was founded on juxtaposed backgrounds. Alissa, born and raised in the Bad Lands of Texas (Yep, Friday Night Lights style) with wild brambles, thorny flora and biting fauna, brings a free spirited connection with nature to her style. Ryan, an academic at heart, brings a European chic and educated minimalism to the boutiques selections. You know, opposites attract and all that jazz.

Now, we can't go just throwing any Ying and Yang against a wall and hope they'll stick. The beauty of differences is often the ability to find the underlying commonalities. Themes underplay our differences like notes in a symphony.

Beyond waxing poetic, these differences can spice up your style as well. Take a concept, throw a bit of rustic with a dash of modern chic and marvel at the results.

As temperatures start dropping in the states and Fall's fingers work their way through the trees, I've really been into the idea of laying next to a fire and enjoying a good book. This cow-hide rug by Yerra is truly a unique piece. Each one will come with different accents and characteristics from it's homeland in Argentina. Adding both visual and physical warmth to the room, it's a great way of lightening up a modern loft or home.

Accompany this rug with any number of our modern fireplaces. From table top flames to unique fireplace accessories, a true autumn retreat is warm an waiting like mom's apple pie. Hit that sweet spot of old-school hunting lodge and sleek modern flat to add character and flare.

It's the Little Things

Detail is the heart of style. A man's cufflinks set apart his suit as much as a bracelet will set off a woman's night dress. If style is a message, it should be stick out to the receiver. Spam filters set to high.

In an age of mass-texts, chain emails and skype, the hand-written letter marks the sender as a stylish, thoughtful individual. It adds layers to the depth of ones image - beyond the realm of clothing and wall pieces.

Kamal kicks up the meaning of the letter and it's style-message with these gorgeous peacock designed note-cards. Entirely devoid of any sense of excess, these minimalistic designs are aesthetically beautiful and leave room for the words to truly take center stage.

On Kama's site she declares her own love for the pen-and-paper world:

"Even in the Age of Tweet, they remain the most intimate medium of expression."

Which is echoed in the detailed craftsmanship of these stunning letters.

While the style of the written letter might be an art in it's swan song, the meaning has increased. Show your loved ones you care while making a personal statement.

Icons: The French Bistro

Iconic images define style. Echoing ancient civilizations like the rebirth of the columns or your Roman reclining couch or looking to the future with sleek, futuristic styling, we're seeking to provide an anchor for our own image.

Culture specific links have been, still are and ever shall be, a staple of style. A culture attain a certain reputation that we try to mimic with our design. Cuba has cigars, Ireland's got stouts, France has wonderful cafes.

Check out these French Bistro style chairs and tables, for instance. Oh, to be sitting in the streets of Paris with a fine cheese and glass of wine. They impart the feel of the avenues and boulevards while providing an instantly recognizable icon to your decor. When everyone on your block has a pair after seeing yours, you'll feel just as Parisian as you can get. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery.

Of course you'll need something to set your espresso down on. Matching tables provide the perfect place for either indoor patios or outdoor seating areas.

The Horne team itself is off to France, while we're on business, you should treat yourself to all the wine and cheese you can manage.

Formed and Functioning

Clocks have been relegated to formless function for far too long. The Grandfather clock was an imposing fella who'd shout the time and loom over your room. Recently, though, clocks have made a more subtle statement, blending in to the room's decor rather than imposing itself on your senses.

Keeping in time with modern sensibilities, the bright Bloom Clock by Schmitt stands out on it's own with a environmentally friendly bamboo frame and light color, but will blend in with a delicately balanced room. Schmitt's design is intentionally symmetrical to reflect nature's tendency for radial designs.

Schmitt's a fan of keeping things eco-friendly and highlights that in this minimalist's-dream clock. The sweeping limbs of the Samara Wall Clock are comforting, echoing the movement of wind-mills. The bold red of the arm distinguishes the whole piece.

Clocks can sometimes become symbols of the day-to-day stresses of life. These clocks combine the natural comforts of natural forms to make a clock something to look forward to, not something to be dreaded.

Design in the DIY Age

DIY and style mesh in this unique Floral Pendant by David Trubridge. Shipped in a flat pack, they also save on shipping costs.

What's most tantalizing here is the reward of putting the whole thing together yourself. As ever, style and story are stuck together like this pendant. Walking under the pendant in your living room or foyer, it'll serve as a memoir to handicraft. Plus, who isn’t impressed by something hand made?

Blending a splendid sight of nature, sustainability, and style, Trubridge based this off of a flower native to western Australia.

DIY is gaining in popularity for all of the same reasons our modern home décor is: it stands out. Ikea and other mass-market make bland statements. Sad phrasing for a boring sentence. Style is in the unique details which set one room apart from another. Here’s yours.

We love it's quirky flower pattern and it’s eco-friendly shipping and bamboo structure. You’ll love it just the same in a light-hued room.