This Modern Minimalist Home Perfectly Balances Function & Form
In this guest post, writer, researcher, and interior enthusiast Nafeesah Allen, opens in a new tab shares her favorite styling elements from this modern abode and how to incorporate them into your own space.
Walking into Schoolhouse's Visual Production Manager, Anna Wright’s home, the brilliant use of light wood with black accents immediately captured our attention. Well, that and her adorable pup Tucker, who proved just how cozy tufted bedding and basic plaids can make a home feel.
To us, this home is the definition of modern comfort. The perfect balance between style and livability, Anna's space channels Scandinavian minimalism with an effortless midcentury modern touch. From custom coasters to fresh-cut flowers, this house truly feels like a home. Inspired by this welcoming environment, we're sharing a few of our favorite elements, and how to achieve this effortless look in your own space.
1. Opt for Fabrics With Cool Tones
Innovative color combinations are evident throughout Anna's home, but especially when it comes to her bedding, opens in a new tab. Shades of mint green, gray, and white create a gorgeous contrast against the light wooden slats of the headboard, and craft a warm atmosphere that even Tucker can’t deny.
In her DIY Murphy bed, the light-colored wood shelving contrasts nicely with the deep sea and navy blues of her chosen duvet, opens in a new tab and quilt, opens in a new tab. Meanwhile, the white and yellow sheets, opens in a new tab and pillows, opens in a new tab offer a calming feel to the overall space.
2. Choose the Right Amount of Wall Art
Not enough art, opens in a new tab can make a space feel bare, while too much can tend to overwhelm. However, Anna has struck the perfect balance in her home. The mix of different sizes and styles of art in each room creates the perfect balance of visual interest. From tapestries to flags, photographs to prints, there’s always something to look at in this sweet abode.
The state flag in the entryway shows pride and personality, while the prints, opens in a new tab leaning against the wall on her console shows off her personal style. From the tree ring print above the dining nook to the hanging textiles, the wall art, opens in a new tab in this home is eye-catching without being distracting.
3. Master the Art of Cohesive Lighting
Cohesive modern lighting can be hard to come by in smaller spaces. To create an inviting atmosphere, you need the right combination of natural lighting from windows and statement lighting, opens in a new tab from overhead and plug-in fixtures, opens in a new tab. In this home, each fixture is placed with purpose. Combining curvature and modern style, there’s a cohesive flow throughout the house.
The overhead lighting above the kitchen counter and the dining table provides a great contrast against the round lamps, opens in a new tab and central fixture above the dining nook. The record table lamp, the kitchen counter lamp, and the nook lamp also creates a sense of practicality that really ties the space together. Even the bedroom reading light is sleekly mounted against the headboard to add functionality while contributing to the overall look.
4. Go With Light-Toned Wood
One of the most striking features of Anna's home is the use of light-toned wood. The warm wood accents balance the industrial and modern look perfectly, which could have easily felt cold and sterile if left in black and white hues. The wooden slat headboards in both the main bedroom and the studio are especially stunning, as they add depth and texture, creating an interesting visual feature that enhances the room without gimmicky theatrics.
The wooden cabinets also soften the dark countertops and cabinet pulls, opens in a new tab. This similar wood tone is consistent throughout the house (from the print frames to the shoe shelving unit) which works to create a quiet simplicity that feels calming.
