Urban Style

Hi guys... it has been yet another tedious week *yawn* filled with tests and projects, so please appreciate this one:

Linda Reeves talking to Kelvin Brown at the 2014 IDS

I have been a regular visitor at the Interior Design Show for a few years now. This year's show was great, mainly because I got to see Sarah Richardson. I also really enjoyed the innovative and unexpected designs, especially in the urban living displays. Urban living is about creating harmony between people’s comforts, joys, conveniences, and demands of big-city living. It's also about having a certain attitude and way of living to achieve relaxation and serenity in our homes.

2014 IDS display demonstrating how urban living is about comfort, joy, and personality

Urban design's history goes back to the mid-20th century, but it has been proven that "carefully planned cities" existed in ancient civilizations' designs. In the 18th and 19th century, the term "Urban" related mostly to engineers and architects. Nowadays, Urban architecture features simplicity, functionality, and minimal decoration. Within the city, people live in lofts, apartments, row houses, town houses, or detached houses (like me!!). With population growth, space is constantly in demand, thus our living spaces have become smaller.

2014 IDS shows compact living with this bed that includes storage compartments

In Urban interior design, the space usually has an open concept with lots of lighting throughout. Furniture and their layout are often the best dividers in Urban style homes. The function of the room helps style the space, and some rooms are even multifunctional (guest room/office, Kitchen/office/dining, etc.). The furniture is flexible and multifunctional as well, with lots of storage space. For example, think of an ottoman that can be used as seating and as a coffee table, and also has a storage compartment. Using the same wood colour throughout rooms, lighter coloured fabric for larger furniture, simple classic lines, low or Lucite furniture, and simple window treatments help create the illusion of a more spacious and brighter room. Other staples of Urban design are brick walls, stainless steel appliances, artwork, and photographs. Use of nontraditional materials such as concrete floors, exposed beams, clear glass staircases, industrial materials, etc. are also common in Urban style design.  

Ultimate Urban: stainless steel appliances in my cousin's Hong Kong apartment

Urban style is also about people with various backgrounds that live in different cities and mix modern-day furniture with their favourite cultural objects (such as personal collections or antiques).

2011 IDS Up Country's Urban living display featuring cultural elements

Urban style is an extremely popular style, as it doesn’t dictate any specific rules. It causes people to live in a more clutter-free and comfortable environment. 

Sleep tight! xoxo