STYLE : Modern Times

The modern look is warming up. It’s less hard-edged these days with the addition of texture, pattern and color to surfaces that used to be slick. The once-ubiquitous black-leather sofa has been replaced by, say, a brown-suede chair and ottoman. Oriental carpets cushion hard floors. Wood, not concrete, is the building material of choice. In a recent project by architectural designer Sam Cardella, iridescent drapes cover a broad expanse of glass wall, and an ottoman/coffee table, covered with raffia, is trimmed with decidedly un-modern fringe. Today’s modern room doesn’t just look good; it’s comfortable as well.