Concept of Minimalism: Beyond Clean Lines and Bare Spaces

November 20, 2020 Rena Feldman

What does it mean to live a life of minimalism? In practice it certainly looks different for everyone. Some use it primarily as an aesthetic choice. Others embrace minimalism by paring down their belongings to only the essentials that bring joy and contentment (think lifestyle trends like hygge and the KonMari method). But regardless of how and where you apply this principle, its roots in early philosophy and religion around the world transform this design trend into an everlasting way of life. The core focus of minimalism remains consistent: it encourages us to create a life filled with intention and to pursue enlightenment in all that we do.

In the design world, how we respond to and interact with a minimalist space affects the choices we make on a daily basis. What we buy, how we decorate, and how much we consume are all considerations to ponder. And it’s exactly because of this life-altering potential that we love to use it in our designs.

Today’s blog is a celebration of minimalism in its many forms. Because whether you are a firm believer in the power of simple, yet impactful architecture, or you prefer smaller influences of minimalist design peppered into your decor, our homes are about more than just day-to-day activity. They’re spaces to set our intentions and find peace and rest, no matter what is happening in the world around us.

Minimalism in Architecture

There’s no doubt minimalist architecture is stunning. It’s simple, yet extremely powerful. It requires a careful consideration of design principles such as balance, proportion, contrast, and its interaction with the surroundings. It also requires a certain level of craftsmanship to achieve perfection in all of the construction details. Minimalist design doesn’t leave any room for error or even a slight flaw. Built with purpose and intention, a modern structure exposes its essence without ornamentation or decoration. When executed well, it is exquisite and lays the groundwork for a tranquil and settled environment.

Minimalism in Interiors

For interior styles, minimalism typically requires a focus on clean lines, streamlined furniture silhouettes, and calming color palettes. This is the quintessential “modern” design many consider part and parcel of minimalism in a home. The intention behind these choices isn’t to create a visual starkness, though. Rather, it is to pare everything down to the essentials in a home so that clutter doesn’t obstruct the beauty of a space’s visual splendor. Warmth and comfort are still very much at the center of minimalist design; it is just achieved in a more subtle way. The combination of texture, strategic color infusions, and seamless transitions to the outdoors can bring life to an otherwise bare minimalistic space, and the overall effect is a calming environment fit for relaxation.

Minimalism in Objects

Do you ever find yourself staring at an overly styled shelf wondering how to achieve calm when nothing but endless layers of tchotchkes and stuff is staring back at you? What if you could create a sense of calm merely by choosing objects that feel purposeful in their simplicity? If you could keep your environment straightforward and without fuss, would you feel a weight lift off of your shoulders? That’s the beauty behind objects of minimalism. Their unadorned elements - like neutral color palettes, streamlined shapes and silhouettes, and high functionality - make them feel intentional at their core, and yet, they provide a visual intrigue at the same time. Vases, candlesticks, a garment rack to display your wardrobe capsule - they all manage to bring about tranquility while simultaneously eliminating the need to over-decorate. When it comes to objects of minimalism, simplicity reigns supreme.

Minimalism and Function

Of course, we cannot overstate the importance of the function inherent to a minimalist lifestyle. Within this way of life, everything has a purpose. Drawers are strategically arranged, home layouts are created for ease and natural flow, and every single item has its designated place. A minimalist home maintains an ongoing sense of balance, allowing its occupants to truly live life to its fullest without allowing disorganization and distraction to get in the way.

Minimalism is more than design; it is a way of life. But often, the way we live our lives starts in the home. It’s the space where we find comfort, happiness and escape from our every-day chaos and uncertainties. And whether or not you are drawn to sleek minimalist architecture, modern furniture styles, or joy-fueled decor decisions (or a mix of them all), minimalism is most certainly attainable for us all. Who knows? Even a slight shift in the way we view our homes and lives through the filter of minimalism could be more transformative than we could ever imagine - for ourselves and the world at large.

By Megan Johansson, Contributor to INVIEW Interior Design

The New Sherwin-Williams Collection: Personality-Infused Palettes

October 19, 2020 Rena Feldman

Nothing affects our moods quite like color, so choosing the right shade for a space is about more than what works with the lighting or overall palette - it’s about achieving the exact right feeling every time you walk in. And oftentimes, that’s a direct reflection of our personalities.

Choosing the right paint color can be overwhelming, though. How do you know if you’ve gone too bright or too subtle for the look you’re after? Well, read on, friends. Sherwin Williams just released their new 2021 collection and we’re giving you a first class seat to our favorite hues and exactly when to use them to evoke the type of mood you crave.

Black Beauty: How to Incorporate Bold and Deep Hues In Your Space

September 10, 2020 Rena Feldman

Black is undoubtedly a color that turns heads, yet its deep and bold character tends to make a lot of homeowners a bit afraid of using it. After all, it does have a propensity towards a more “edgy” aesthetic overall, whereas whites, greys, and softer colors feel much less risky. When it comes to black, you might be thinking, can I really pull it off?

Modern Marvels: Finding Adventure in the Time of No Travel

August 16, 2020 Rena Feldman

It’s no secret that 2020 has had its fair share of challenges, and after being stuck at home for months on end, we are craving a getaway like nothing else. In previous times, planning a trip was par for the course and such a normal part of life that the only thing we needed to determine was time, location, and cost. But today, with the uncertainty surrounding the typical “vacations” of the past and travel in general, seeking ways to travel and explore safely requires more creativity than ever before.

Outdoor Inspiration: Designing with Nature in Mind

July 10, 2020 Rena Feldman

Summer is undoubtedly a chance to spend as much time as possible outdoors, and as a result, during this season design priorities usually consist of patios, balconies, and decks. After all (at least here in Minnesota), we only get this weather for a few months, so we tend to soak it up. Yet, summer’s inspiration doesn’t need to end at the threshold to the indoors. In fact, this season is bursting with inspiration from the outdoors, and there are limitless ways to incorporate nature’s designs into your own interior spaces.

Beautiful Banquettes: Creating the Perfect Arrangement for Your Kitchen or Dining Room

June 10, 2020 Rena Feldman

These days, we’re eating meals at home more than ever before, and that means creating a space that is functional and stylish is essential to making mealtime as enjoyable (and close to restaurant quality) as possible. Yet, not everyone has the luxury of both an eat-in kitchen space for casual breakfasts and a separate formal dining room for larger, more involved dinners. So, what’s the solution? Quite simply, the banquette.

Introducing i-Design: Virtual Collaborations for All Your Design Needs

May 16, 2020 Rena Feldman

Do you have a design dilemma you’ve been dying to solve? Have you been staring at that living room wall debating whether to do a gallery wall or sleek and modern bookshelves? Does your furniture layout feel more stifling and awkward than ever, now that you’re living in the space nonstop? If any of these sound like you, you’re not alone.

As we spend what feels like endless weeks in the confines of our homes, those design issues that once felt like a “one day” to-do have suddenly become pertinent. We need our homes to flow and function in a way that works seamlessly with our day-to-day activities, but also thrives in the style department. And yet - with the social distancing currently in place, it can be harder than ever to get the interior design expertise you crave.

Enter in our newest service: i-Design. Created to meet the needs of our clients looking to revamp their spaces or simply find solutions to design challenges within their homes, it’s a completely virtual collaboration that allows us to work directly with you to help you achieve a space you wholeheartedly love.

Embracing Beauty While At Home: Modern Planter Arrangements

April 3, 2020 Rena Feldman

Like so many people across the globe, we find ourselves spending more time than ever in the confines of our homes. Yet, even though these spaces were once havens to relax in at the end of the day, with the constant balance of isolation and financial uncertainty, a sense of cabin fever appears to have set in for the collective world. So, how can we create a space that once again encourages calm and relaxation?

The answer coincides perfectly with spring: planter arrangements. There are limitless ways to create beauty and an uplifting aesthetic when it comes to greenery and florals, and as we slowly transition our activities outside (where social distancing allows), sprucing up your garden is an approachable DIY project to help while away those extra hours at home. With a few inexpensive additions like a stylish modern garden pot or a few starter plants, you can create a green-infused outdoor space that will work wonders to cheer things up.

Wow-Worthy Wood Stoves: Stylish Beauties Fit for Any Season

March 9, 2020 Rena Feldman

Spring will be here in just a few short weeks, and though we’re all looking forward to the temperature shift and pending wardrobe changes, we can’t help but remain obsessed with wood stoves - especially since they’re absolutely gorgeous no matter the season.

Decorating Outside the Box: Kitchen Backsplash Alternatives

February 12, 2020 Rena Feldman

The majority of kitchen backsplashes are, quite frankly, predictable by nature. They may vary slightly in arrangement, material, shape, color, or pattern, but for the most part they fall into the category of what you’d expect. It makes sense, considering the fact that tile resists water and is (usually) easy to clean. Yet, too often, we forget that any opportunity to get creative - however small - is essential to showcasing a home’s personality. The backsplash, it turns out, isn’t just a function-heavy area relegated to the end of a remodel to-do list. It’s a chance to make your kitchen truly one-of-a-kind.

Winter Warmth: Modern Blanket Storage Solutions

January 22, 2020 Rena Feldman

When the winter is in full swing, warmth is a must. But, how can you possibly store enough blankets without things turning into a pile of clutter or draping a throw across every piece of furniture? Storage solutions are essential, and there’s no limit to the modern options out there.