Lines are simple and clean, functionality is paramount, finishes are often light, and ornamentation is missing or streamlined. Big names here include furniture manufacturers Heywood-Wakefield and Knoll, and designers Charles and Ray Eames, Aero Saarinen, and Russel Wright. The trappings of everyday life are hidden, and the palette is usually neutral and monochromatic. Strict interpretations of this style are rare and are best reserved for some shops and museums. This style grew out of Bauhaus and is almost synonymous.
Modern furniture is simple, unadorned, and functional.
In design, the term modern can be confusing, as it is used to refer to this particular style, as well as to the traditional definition. This furniture is light and elegant and lines tend to be straight. Common decoration includes acanthus leaves, shells, architectural pediments and classic figures. This style is related to Empire and Beidermeier. Designs often incorporate color and historical reference.