114 THE MODERN STYLE

The Modern interior designer has an architectonic rather than a
decorative point of view concerning interiors and furnishings. The
most important tenet is absolute unity, or totality of impression,
with close relationship of all the parts employed. Modern rooms
are often unified by continuous horizontal lines, which are kept as
low as possible so as not to detract from the architectural effect of
the walls. Repetition of forms as well as lines help to establish
unity. Unity of idea is achieved if every item portrays the pres-
ent Machine Age. See page 121 for an illustration.

Structural integrity requires the perfect relationship of function-
alism and mechanization. The form of a Modern article of furnish-
ing is first of all functional It must also be suitable to machine
production, gaining as much beauty and utility as possible from the
machine tooling. The design must, moreover, permit honest and
appropriate use of materials.

In addition to observing these fundamentals the Modern interior
designer makes creative use of texture and color. Texture is the
surface element, which is stressed in Modern interior design. Rich,
subtle effects are obtained by means of texture contrasts in ma-
terials. The gleam of glass, the dull softness of cork, the cold
hardness of metal, the unevenness of textured carpets and fabrics,
the warm plasticity of leather, and the smoothness of bleached
waxed wood are elements that can be utilized to give variety within
unity. Texture now takes the place formerly filled by surface
ornamentation.

Color is usually subservient to form in Modern interiors. Mono-
chromatic neutral colored rooms, sometimes with the addition of
one brilliant color, are favored by some decorators. Others prefer
low-valued, simple colors. Those who consider Modern interiors
cold and bare can counteract this effect by means of fresh warm
colors. Modern designers make good application of the advancing
and recessive qualities of color.

Surface decoration is not desirable in Modem furnishings, for
the machine does not produce it easily or appropriately. One im-
portant credo of the Machine Age is that design is not applied to
an object but is brought out of it. In Modern interiors very litde
pattern is used, although fabrics sometimes have geometric or ab-
stract patterns. Modern designers consider that surface decoration
may prevent full realization of the form of a beautiful object.