20’s Contemporary Style Story
Leave it to our Vice President/Creative Director Cecil Adams to be powerfully quotable when he chose a tagline for his 20’s Contemporary trend story highlighting many of our new products and some of our most popular from years past: “She was not fragile like a flower, she was fragile like a bomb.” Let’s meander through the ideas that popped up for him as he was thinking of this uber-sensual trend for 2020.
“A softer approach to modern has evolved as we move into the 2020’s,” Cecil explains. “This trend takes references from the contemporary furnishing trends of the 1970’s and 1990’s with their curves and luxury materials; however, this time around it feels much more soothing in terms of color, finish, and texture.” He notes that this brand of contemporary provides a gentler landing for people looking for comfort and less confrontation in their surroundings, which includes soft colors, edges, finishes, and textures.
“Interestingly, there are many references to the 1920’s in terms of color and motif,” he adds. “Shagreen and velvet, soft prints and florals, pearlized finishes and brass, tassels and trims—all were utilized a century ago in fashion and home.” At that time, he goes on to say, these things were all very contemporary. “There is a refinement and constraint with all the elements that make this look feel very current,” he continues. “A strong feminine edge is taking its cues from powerful women.” Looking back to the 1920’s, he remarks that the decade was also a time when women made great strides in freeing themselves from the constraints of the Victorian Era.
“It is important to note that while this look contains a more feminine vibe, it is not limited by gender or intended for any specific gender,” he cautions. “Rather it is intended to celebrate shape and a more relaxed feeling of luxury as compared to its Mid-Century Modern counterpart in home furnishings. That is what makes it truly contemporary.”
Currey & Company’s Offerings on Trend
Among our products that Cecil tapped for this category are the Evie Shagreen desk and the Genevieve Shimmer Gold Ottoman shown above and below, and in the lead image for this post.
The classically modern, Camille Round Mirror, shown below, also appears in the opening vignette. With its smart juxtaposition of materials that includes Grade-A leather and brass, it is new this Spring. We love how cream leather straps wrap around thin circlets of brass to form the frame of this gold decorative mirror. We also offer the Camille as a room screen.
Sitting atop the Evie Shagreen Desk is the Chiara Table Lamp, shown below, which is made of rectangles of clear optic crystal that create a luminous statement piece. Contrasting the all but invisible stacked body are the antique brass finish on the metal and the off-white shantung shade.
Our Marshallia Chandelier, shown in the vignette with the Evie Credenza and below, is decidedly feminine. Made of wrought iron in a rustic gold finish, it has slender arms dripping with faux rock crystal pendants. A design note is how the candle-sleeves elevating the six bulbs are slender, which enhances the delicacy of this 20’s contemporary beauty.
The mirror in the vignette (and below) is our Hyson Round Mirror made of natural horn, which illustrates the skill required to make natural horn appear seamless. Outlined in Sheesham wood, this decorative mirror is one of two in this family, the other version square. Our Ondine Table Lamp, also below, rounds out the products featured in the beauty shots, as does an array of our accessories.
A Sexy New Trend As you can see from this selection of products that fit Cecil’s 20’s Contemporary style story, any one of them on their own could swing feminine, masculine, or somewhere in between. We hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into this sexy new trend!
We’ve posted two other trend stories—“The Natural State” and “Black and White”—if you’d like to pop over and see how Cecil presented these.