Having passion is essential in life — it brings happiness, a sense of freedom, and sometimes direction. But what does it really mean to be passionate? Being passionate is not just about having the knowledge but also the initiative to do things as it resonates with one’s purpose.
It is said that passionate people lead a significantly different life from the rest because passion is engraved in their lives and soul. Anyone can be passionate about anything such as art, music, and writing. They always do things with emotion and dedication because it gives them fulfillment. It is said that passion is a fundamental key when it comes to achieving one’s aspirations and dreams.
Passion, when paired with design, can produce a beautiful creation. This goes out the same in designing a home. There are a lot of styles to choose from when designing a place for a family — a place to call home — and one of the most popular is contemporary homes.
An insight into designing contemporary homes
Now, what makes contemporary homes popular? Contemporary architecture is about the present and the future. Simply, this design is both forward-looking and innovative. However, its design is more complex compared to its counterparts. To inspire homeowners in designing their contemporary homes, Fully Booked has shared this list of home design books:
Elements of Family Style: Elegant Spaces for Everyday Life
Erin Gates
Contemporary homes are rooted in arts and modern architectural features. Homes are designed to fit the homeowner’s needs or whatever is in style during the time of building a home without adhering to a particular design constraint — it is more free-formed. In Elements of Family Style: Elegant Spaces for Everyday Life, the New York Times bestselling author and lifestyle blogger Erin Gates shares the elements that make a design beautiful and stylish–but also practical and functional.
Home: the Best of the New York Times Home Section: The Way We Live Now
The design for contemporary homes borrows a lot from its predecessor, modern design. Having an emphasis on clean, simple lines, and its connection to the outdoors, only contemporary homes have much warmer and cozier designs.
Contemporary homes are often built for sustainability and are now generally energy-efficient. The use of eco-friendly materials is also put into prominent practice. Its design is built around the open floor plan which utilizes usable square footage, having graced interior with natural light, and windows expanding from floor-to-ceiling. This style comes in all shapes and sizes which makes it the most diverse category; after all, it is a reflection of the way homeowners have changed throughout the years. The Way We Live Now shares some of the creative and ingenious design elements present in innovative houses homeowners live in today.
Live, Love & Decorate
Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Live, Love & Decorate celebrates boldness in design. Contemporary homes are known for their strong emphasis on individuality and there are defining qualities tying to this style. For the exterior, one may notice asymmetrical and irregular façade, strong weight on geometric shapes, clerestory and large windows, the use of recycled materials, and a mixture of different materials. In the interior, you will notice an open floor plan, use of natural light, green systems for air conditioning, heating, and plumbing, and flexibility in the layout that suits the homeowner’s needs. In this book, Author Martyn Lawrence Bullard shows his mastery of dramatic environments in his designs that balance the contemporary and the traditional.
The New Glamour: Interiors with Star Quality
Jeff Andrews
More than just creating an aesthetic appeal, the layout and structure of the home gives a glimpse into both the designer and homeowner’s passion for beauty and craftsmanship. Glamour today follows what appeals to homeowners at the individual level, and author Jeff Andrews shares his decorating secrets that have attracted stars as clientele, including the likes of Kourtney Kardashian, Kris Jenner, and Kaley Cuoco. Being able to design contemporary homes is both a personal and professional experience. Andrews’ “high style” takes center stage as he combines art, design, and passion.
A Point of View: On Decorating
Veere Grenney
Having a home that reminds them of what they love to do most and what they are passionate about is one of a homeowner’s dreams. Interior designers convey their client’s interests and passion through their designs. In A Point of View: On Decorating, AD100 designer Grenney’s first book, readers get a glimpse into the hows and whys of designing, resulting in streamlined, glamorous, and classical rooms with an English touch.
Get these book suggestions at any of the branches of Fully Booked, or place your orders online. Stay updated on new and upcoming books and promotions from Fully Booked by following their accounts at Facebook (facebook.com/fullybooked), Instagram (_fullybooked), and Twitter (_fullybooked).
