Modern Leather Sectionals in the Home Today

Leather furniture has been a popular choice in home decorating for years and continues to appear in homes today, though its style and silhouette has changed over time. As overall style has evolved, there have been many trends based on leather furniture over the years. Specifically, metallic leather made Elle Decor’s Hot List of Trends in Furniture in 2013. Another recent trend in home decorating is the modern leather sectional.

When we traditionally think of leather sofas, an over-sized, brown, masculine piece is usually what comes to mind. However, leather furniture is now offered in a variety of shapes and styles. Further, as decorating in the modern style has taken off, we are seeing more modern style leather sectionals as a part of this revolution of leather furniture. This has not only caused the rise in popularity of leather furniture as a whole, but in the use of the leather sectional. In additional to being trendy, there are many advantages to incorporating this style of sofa into your home.

Leather sectionals are used to provide ample seating space in a small room without taking up too much space. They are also used as an anchor in a larger room to define a seating area. The leather sectional takes these ideas and adapts them to be more cohesive with the modern style of decorating. Modern leather sectionals provide the form and function of a traditional sectional and still allow the home owner to have a stylish interior in their home.

Another solid advantage of the modern leather sectional is the ease into which it fits in any home. Many of these types of sofas are low profile, with soft corners and edges and low-rising backs. They are meant to blend in with a room, not to stand out. They are also usually sold in solid colors, either neutral or bright. This makes it easy to match the sectional to any other type of home decor that you choose, whether it’s patterned, brightly colored or neutral as well. Most home decor will work well with a leather sectional.

 

 

Leather sectionals are also a good fit for those with large families, and specifically those with small children and pets. In addition to providing everyone with a place to sit, most leather furniture can be easily cleaned of small spills and pet hair wipes cleanly away. Leather sofas can also maintain their color and shape far longer than most fabric sofas. This durability makes a leather sectional a good investment for a family who may not be able to afford replacing their sofa every couple of years.

In addition to the above advantages, modern leather sectionals are also aesthetically pleasing which is always a plus in home decorating. Beauty truly meets function. So, from effortlessness in decorating, to creating simplicity in the home, to accommodating the needs of the homeowners, it’s easy to see why leather sectionals are so popular today.

The Popularity of Abstract Animal Art in the Modern Home

Abstract art, which is best described as art that takes liberties with what is depicted in the outside world and focuses more on feelings and expression, has become widely popular over the last several decades. Individual expression paves the way for many new and emerging artists who don’t have to try to copy what they see, which can be challenging for many, but can concentrate on what they feel. Similarly, interior designers and art lovers are drawn to abstract art, as well, for this feeling of individuality. As home decor decisions are very personal, the choice of using abstract art can greatly enhance the feel and look of a room and blend well with the decorator’s personal style of expression.

Abstract painting is also very popular in home decorating as it is considered modern, cool and trendy. Many people are drawn toward what is trendy and new and view having it as a symbol of status. Abstract art by a well-known artist can really play into this idea. As can be seen is the paintings depicting animals, abstract animal art is new, fun and different and really make a statement in your home.

There are several prominent painters who have furthered the popularity of abstract paintings. Among them are Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Joan Miró and Jackson Pollock to name a few. When on display, these artists’ use of bold colors and expressive shapes and patterns make the abstract painting the focal point of the room. While paintings by these renowned artists are bought and sold for millions of dollars, the average art lover can find alternatives like the modern animal art shown here, to display in their homes that aren’t nearly as expensive. An abundance of options are available online for a reasonable price which may also speak to the popularity of this art form.

Paintings of flowers and still life are very neutral. They can be pretty and appealing, but they don’t express the emotion and energy of an the paintings featured in this blog. Flowers are easy decoration that can be looked at and admired briefly and then forgotten. Abstract art makes you think. Additionally, abstract art in the home can say a lot about who the home owner is. A bold, bright painting can reflect a strong personality, whereas a complicated, dark piece can reflect a complicated soul. Abstract art can truly be the signature of the home owner.

When choosing to use an abstract painting or another piece of canvas art in your home, it is important to remember that it can easily overpower other areas of your decor. It is best to let the artwork shine in an otherwise neutral room, or with less expressive accent pieces. This can be accomplished with furniture in neutral tones and focusing on patterns and textures that aren’t too busy. You may also want to display your art piece in a room that is not prone to a lot of clutter, as the clutter can take away from the strength and punch behind the artwork. And remember, the wall art that you choose becomes your signature, so choose wisely!

Riding the Sound of a Painting - Improvisation 28 by Wassily Kandinsky

It should be no surprised that pieces of art created in a short period of time will always fall back on the standard style and themes that the artist holds internally. Wassily Kandinsky always eluded to his respect of music by naming many of his paintings after the subject. His famous Composition line holds less than a dozen pieces in it, probably due to the fact that each piece in the line required hours of study and days to complete. In contrast, Kandinsky has dozens of Improvisations that were of a more personal, spiritual nature. In his writings, he admitted to a preference for the Revelation of Saint John when working on these pieces.

Improvisation 28 is one of the later ones that occurred while the pioneering artist was still in the border of Germany. It is shallower than his later works, in that the meaning can be more easily garnered by a few moments of looking rather than days of soul searching. One of the biggest notes in the painting is of course the humans present throughout it riding something. In his earlier works, he drew people on horseback something that was common in his native land’s stories. In this abstract painting, the riders are shown to progress in a story from the left side of the canvas to the right. On the left, we see mountains and an environment that is rife with chaos. Depressive colors and wiggling lines showed a world without order that the rider moves forward through symbols of great pain. Their boat sails- perhaps riding on a great deluge- past wriggling serpents and cannons.

But the abstract painting also offers a resolution. From the harsh waves of the left, we are brought to a state of rest. Houses are built upon a hill, and a figure sleeps peacefully on the bottom right corner. Lines become solider, less broken and the colors warmer. The couple that rode the waves now embrace under the warm red sun, and it seems they have lit candles - maybe in celebration or as a way to guide others to their place of rest. Although only one couple is shown journeying, the house they come to is bordered by another complete one and on in progress, suggesting that others will join them. 

Exceptional fine art like this painting from Kandinsky is obviously only attainable for a handful of privileged, however, today, the average consumer is able to obtain fabulous canvas art in many art galleries and online venues thanks to emerging and talented artists, that may one day become as famous as Kandinsky.

The Individual Interpretation of Abstract Art

Abstract art is created by visualizing a composition of various forms, colors, textures and lines. While the term can refer to diverse mediums such as music, performance, and sculptures, abstract paintings are again rising in popularity in the mainstream art world.

Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian painter, is credited with creating the first purely abstract pieces of art. Primarily an accident, Kandinsky noticed that different shapes in his paintings did not need additional definition, and had enough language in their body to speak on their own. Another popular abstract artist, Pablo Picasso, is nothing short of a household name. His ability to take well known subjects and transform them into an undefined abstract piece of art is still influential today.

Traditional abstract paintings depict subjects in a fluid structure, as opposed to a recognizably defined shape. Abstract art is in complete contrast to Realism, as it withdraws from the standard of what is known to be true.

Abstract art secured an important spot in history, with the height of its prominence in the mid-19th century. Artists worldwide were excited to express their creativity through a free form style of painting. Recently, abstract art has become popular for art enthusiasts as well as those interested in a unique piece for their home or office.

Seen as a way to liven up an office or home, many traditional consumers are opting to purchase abstract paintings because of the vibrant colors, the exuberant energy, and the modern feel that these paintings represent. Another reason it is in demand, abstract art is a great conversation piece in that every person can have a unique perception of the art. While many different types of art can be interpreted however the viewer sees fit, abstract art has no true representative features to focus on. The form allows the senses to filter and roam freely, taking in the true value of the piece.

Art collectors love to find antique abstract paintings at auctions, and the older ones are becoming rarer, due to the increased demand. Many art houses still show abstract paintings from famous artists, and this also increases awareness and demand for the genre of art.

Abstract art paintings are popular because their whole purpose is to evoke the human subconscious. The colors and movement of the work are said to express the artist’s truest emotions. This style of art appeals to the masses because, while it has very deep roots, it is also dazzling and can fit in any home decor or office space. It is raw, yet brilliantly balanced, and; therefore, it makes a statement wherever it is displayed.

Modern Paintings - Eight Different Styles

When one thinks of modern art and modern paintings specifically, there are numerous styles that come to mind. Modernism is not limited to one strict style. Early modern art focuses on realism and impressionism, while abstract and pop art came later. Here are some of the styles in which make up modern art;

Impressionism
Impressionists focused on lighting, providing accurate depictions. Small brush strokes were typically seen. This still generally focused on real life depictions; painting from various angles. One of the most influential impressionist painters was Monet.

Post Impressionism
Impressionists influenced artists to begin blurring and distorting. Real-life scenes were blurred through the transformation of color and form. Van Gogh is a noted artist within this period. He focused more on fluid distortion (as seen in Starry Night) vs geometric distortion. Although scenes were real-life depictions, colors were not very accurate in terms of realism.

Abstract Art 
Abstract art began to move away from the physical world, displaying; color, form and lines. There were various movements within abstract art. Cubism for example, which focused on shapes. Picasso painted a picture depicting nature through three shapes; cones, spheres and cubes. Abstract art is currently extremely popular. Pieces depict emotion, form and bold color choices.

Surrealism
Surrealism added an element of surprise, portraying dream-like pictures. Objects in the real world would be combined through unconventional ways. This provided strange, thought provoking paintings. Salvador Dali is a great example. His paintings depict real-life objects, but skew them in such a way that they are no longer in realistic forms.

Conceptual Art
Artists within this style focused more on the perception of the piece than the art itself. Artists, such as Yoko Ono; were more concerned with how the audience would perceive the content. There were some highly interesting pieces created within this movement.

Pop Art
Pop art is so popular for a reason. This movement focused on everyday items, celebrities and comics. They are bright, vibrant and fun; influenced by culture. Andy Warhol is well known within this movement.

Photorealism 
This movement is exactly as it sounds; realistic paintings were created from a photograph. Technical painting skills were key throughout this movement. In order to recreate a photograph, artists needed to be skilled technically and have an understanding of realism.

Minimalism 
This movement focused on simplicity. The artists decided what was necessary in their depiction, and then that was all that was painted. Simplicity can be beautiful. As you can see, modern paintings widely vary. Look into which style you want, your options are vast

Modern Paintings: The Start of Something New

Modern art made a large impact on both artists and society. Prior to the evolution of modern paintings, artworks generally resembled real-life depictions and contained more traditional forms. A classic example of this transformation was made through the birth of abstract art. Distortion was the main trend that was seen throughout modern art. With that being said, realism was and still is being created today. There is no doubt that modern art has made a huge impact on how we view art today; it continues to influence and trend throughout society and modern design.

Modern paintings are so popular because they are vibrant and thought provoking. Some like that these pieces can start a conversation, others like the emotion that they portray. Whatever the reason, there are many options to modern art. With so many variations; there are paintings for everyone and every style. Pay attention to what room it is you're decorating. Focus on a specific style, what would it bring to the overall look of your room? It doesn't hurt to look into the different movements, so that you have a better understanding of what you're looking for.

Due to modern design and neutral color use, rooms benefit from incorporating modern paintings. Since modern art began moving away from tradition, there was a vast amount of experimentation happening. This experimentation began a movement that is still going strong today. There are also many movements within modern art; abstract and pop art for example. Just as there are many movements, there are many different styles. Conceptual art differs greatly in comparison to photorealism.

Abstract art has become extremely popular, adding emotion and color to a space. There are options within abstract art as well. Abstract expressionism for example; will portray strong emotion, with intense feeling. Cubism is another example, utilizing geometric shapes (some more abstract than others). The main popularity of abstract art is the intense emotion and color it displays in a room.

There are numerous styles and areas within modern art. Decide what it is that your space needs, focus on colors, lines and shapes. Paintings can be a simple pleasure or even an investment. If you are not familiar with modern art but enjoy what it offers, there are knowledgeable people to help you. A great place to find modern paintings is at Artemaximus. They provide a wide variety of pieces and styles.

Whether you are looking for a bright red and gold abstract painting or a comic inspired painting; modern art has something to offer you and your home.