Brad Ford: To me the term "modern" represents anything that
is considered ahead of it's time
and causes a shift in one's thinking and makes a person sense things in
anew way. If you look at it this way
—it's fascinating to think that
everything at one point in time was considered modern—even the
most traditional ideas.

Vicente Wolf:  Living in the
present, having a reference to the past and    innovation in dealing
with today’s environmental, social and economic conditions; all with
a clean architectural background.

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz:
Modern means to me a feeling
of fresh, the present moment.
An interior feels modern when there
is “air” around the objects, when furniture is treated as sculptural elements arranged in the room to convey a particular feeling. Modern interiors  are not just a collection
of beautiful elements, they must convey a strong feeling to what is happening today. 

 

2. Why would you choose a neutral color scheme
in a room over something else?
I gravitate
towards neutrals for a number of reasons.  First of
all, I like the fact that they compliment other components of a room rather than compete with them.  Secondly, I think it's much easier to alter the mood of a room when starting with a neutral backdrop.  It allows you to bring in as much or as little color as desired and gives you the chance to really manipulate the character of a room.  I also find neutrals to be warm, inviting and quite calming.

3. What elements can contribute to making a neutral color scheme dynamic? Whispering can be just as powerful as shouting when trying to get someone's attention. The same holds true with Interior Design-it all depends on what you're trying to say and how you deliver the message. When working with a neutral color scheme, I like to experiment with scale and organic forms as well as use vintage furnishings.  I also like using materials with a lot of texture, whether that be rough-hewn woods, suede or sisal floor coverings. Each of these elements might have a neutral finish, but because of their history, shape or the feel of each item there's a visual interest that starts to add depth and dimension to the space and give the room significant meaning. 

4. How do you go about selecting appropriate art within a neutral color scheme? Art is so subjective and it can vary dramatically depending on the subject matter, the colors or the scale.  What's great about a neutral palette is none of that really matters since there will be no conflicting color or pattern.

5. How would you categorize your own personal style? I would describe my design aesthetic as warm and approachable, casual yet sophisticated with a slightly modern slant. I'm from Arkansas originally and grew up surrounded by the most beautiful natural resources.  I've always loved natural materials and organic forms, and I think that comes through in my work.
In addition, I'm heavily influenced by Scandinavian design: simple and uncomplicated, yet functional and stylish.

6. What is your best tip on how to keep order within a space? Get rid of any unnecessary clutter! I find it not only affects your living quarters but also starts to mess with your "head"-quarters.  Separating items that hold true meaning and enhance your life from the things you keep due to guilt will help clear your mind and give you a deeper appreciation for the things you cherish. 

7. What is your favorite modern convenience? Without question, the iPhone.  I can be connected to the internet or to anyone,  any place, any time .... that's what I call convenient.

8. What’s your favorite luxury in life?
Delicious food!  And living in New York there's definitely no shortage of it.

9. What is your favorite color?
Fluorescent Beige.

10. If you were abandoned on a deserted island, and could only choose three items to have with you, what would they be and why?
The aforementioned iPhone. A Whole Foods. And a well-stocked liquor store.

 

2. Why would you choose a neutral color scheme in
a room over something else?

I never see rooms as
purely neutral;
I see them more as degrees, as with woods, fabrics, stones, etc.

3. What elements can contribute to making a neutral color scheme dynamic? Contrast. 

4. How do you go about selecting appropriate art within a neutral color scheme? I never match the art to the room.  I think a neutral room is the right foil for intense artwork.

5. How would you categorize your own personal style? Global with always a sense of surprise.

6. What is your best tip on how to keep order within a space? By eliminating unnecessary objects. Less is More.  If you can live without it you should get rid of it. 

7. What is your favorite modern convenience? Kindle.

8. What’s your favorite luxury in life?
A housekeeper who changes my sheets every other day.

9. What is your favorite color?
Whatever the color is that I’m working with at the moment.

10. If you were abandoned on a deserted island, and could only choose three items to have with you, what would they be and why?
Chicken and a sketch pad.

 

2. Why would you choose a neutral color scheme in
a room over something else? Color is the first element in the design of an interior that we choose. Color establishes the feeling of the room and creates the mood. I use color as "neutral" by using one color in abundance and almost exclusively. You can have an entire room using only blue and create a calm feeling. But if you add orange, the room starts to vibrate! White to me is the most conceptual color that you can use to create a room as a "walk-in still life". Furniture becomes sculptures...

3. What elements can contribute to making a neutral color scheme dynamic? By using many textures of the same color ( and I don't mean necessarily neutral) and playing with scale and light, the room becomes energized. Try to think of materials as color too. A dark wood chair with white upholstery is not a white chair. Every material must color should be considered.

4. How do you go about selecting appropriate art within a neutral color scheme? I rarely use art in  my interiors because I don't really like the attention that paintings and sculptures attract. I use art that doesn't distract from the overall effect of the room. I select forms that appeal to the room and that "talk to me. " And provenance is really not my concern.

5. How would you categorize your own personal style? Comfortable

6. What is your best tip on how to keep order within a space? You have limit the amount of "mess encouraging surfaces. " If you are prone to collecting magazines and books, use coffee tables that have a second shelf below so you can have
a clean surface above. Or use very
small table tops. I really hate bookcases in Living Rooms because to me books are visually exhausting. If you are a writer (and you wrote most of the books) yes, that's fine. I prefer that, if you have to have bookshelves, add a translucent shade over the books. It not only "softens" the look of the books but it keeps them clean. Also, one on my favorite tricks is  the use of large trays to contain objects in disarray... When you place a lot of disparate elements on a tray, all of a sudden they are in order.

7. What is your favorite modern convenience? My iPhone.

8. What’s your favorite luxury in life?
Living in New York City, my favorite luxury is having a driver.

9. What is your favorite color? Blue/green which sometimes is called seafoam green. I find this color extremely soothing. It reminds me of the ocean water where I grew up.

10. If you were abandoned on a deserted island, and could only choose three items to have with you, what would they be and why? I suppose that people are not included in this "element" selection, but if they are, that's what I would rather have; three great friends.
If you are talking about objects, I really don't need anything but water, food and sketchbooks with pencils (does this count as one item?)