15 years ago

What's the difference between Modern and Contemporary as options for style when posting photos on Houzz? Is contemporary somewhat interchangable with the term "transitional", which I'm more familiar with for describing a style? I think the "contemporary" option is confusing for many whom are searching on Houzz, because many non-professionals (and often professionals) commonly use the term contemporary interchangably with the term modern when describing design styles. I wish that "transitional" was a style option on Houzz. Thanks~

Featured Answer

Melanie S.

15 years ago

I ADORE transitional...that what we are. Transitional is when you like TRADITIONAL styles but with cleaner lines and less fluff/fru fru-and it can have other influences.

Modern and contemporary I can't help with ;)

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Comments (8)

PRO
Kerrie Kelly Design Lab
15 years ago
The subject does have some debate around it, but I have created an ideabook that I hope will help. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/210781/list/Defining-Style--Is-It-Modern-or-Contemporary . I also did one on transitional design...see what you think. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/transitional-style-a-bit-of-modern-and-traditional-stsetivw-vs~204463
Cyndi K.
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, Kerrie--- I appreciate the professional input and clarification. In your ideabook, I particularly like the Venegas and Company kitchen- the large scale in this actually modest kitchen is really cool.
My point to Houzz is that when adding photos or looking for relevant ideas, it is confusing (for many) as to the difference between modern and contemporary, and the option for "transitional" is missing. Thanks again, Kerrie!
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PRO
Kerrie Kelly Design Lab
15 years ago
I believe the Houzz team is working on exactly what you are inquiring about...contemporary, modern and transitional styles. Stay tuned and I will update you with any information I find out about it. Thanks so much!
Becky Harris
15 years ago
I think I use "Modern" in the way Kerrie describes, probably going back to International Style, while generally speaking I use lowercase "modern" and "modernizing" in a more interchangeable way with "contemporary", you know, just to make it even MORE confusing! I have to say as someone who just likes words in general, I'm not that crazy about "transitional" to decribe a style - it's not very descriptive.
Becky Harris
15 years ago
Oh, I like the style, I just think the word isn't very descriptive toward design. Not that I can come up with a better one...
Melanie S.
15 years ago
oh! gotcha!! Have to agree with that. The term kind of sounds...transient and wishy washy. I feel that way about the term eclectic. It's kind of like when a doctor tells u it's a VIRUS...pretty vague! ha ha.
Becky Harris
15 years ago
OMG Mcoffeesnob, I just turned in an ideabook yesterday that talks about how we overuse "eclectic" - look for it next week; an interior stylist gave me a better word I'll be talking about :)