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Modern

Form follows function

A home where every element earns its place through purpose.

The Modernism movement. Form follows function. Clean geometry, open plans. A specific philosophy from the early-to-mid 20th century — not a synonym for 'current.'

More architectural and disciplined than Contemporary; less decorative and more geometric than Mid-Century Modern.

Jeid Studio

What sits closest

The styles nearest to yours, measured the same way the quiz measured you. A room of yours that does not quite fit this style often fits one of these.

MinimalistClean & Curated
Mid-Century ModernBold & Statement
TransitionalClean & Curated

How pattern works here

95% solid · 5% pattern
  • Modern design is fundamentally anti-pattern.
  • Visual interest comes from form, material, and proportion — not surface decoration.
  • Rooms should be almost entirely solid.
  • The rare exception: a geometric rug in two colors, or a single piece of patterned art.
  • If you're wondering whether to add pattern, the answer in Modern is almost always no.

Surface by surface

What this style asks for on each surface, and what pushes it into a different style entirely.

Flooring
  • White oak or maple in clean, consistent grain, 5"-7" widths, matte or satin finish.
  • Polished concrete in loft/industrial-leaning Modern.
  • Large-format tile 24"x24" or larger in grid layout.
  • Color: natural, bleached, or dark walnut stain.
  • Avoid: hand-scraped, rustic textures, wide variation, small-format parquet, orange/amber stains.
Tile
  • Grid-set large-format tiles 12"x24" to 24"x48".
  • Solid-color matte porcelain in white, gray, or charcoal.
  • Penny round mosaic in black or white (Modernist signature).
  • Glass tile backsplash in solid color.
  • Avoid: faux stone, tumbled, patterned cement tile, ornate mosaics.
Carpet
  • Low-profile wool or nylon in solid color — gray, charcoal, cream.
  • Flat or tight loop only.
  • Bedrooms and private areas only.
  • Avoid: pattern, texture variation, plush saxony, carpet in main living spaces.
Cabinets
  • Flat-panel slab doors — no ornamentation.
  • Lacquered high-gloss white, matte charcoal, or primary color accent.
  • Handleless with push-to-open or integrated J-pull.
  • If wood, flat-cut walnut or maple book-matched.
  • Avoid: raised panel, shaker, glass-front, crown on cabinets.
Cabinet hardware
  • No visible hardware preferred — push-latch, J-channel, or continuous rail.
  • If hardware: thin square bar pulls in chrome or matte black, 6"-8" CC.
  • Avoid: knobs, cup pulls, decorative hardware, mixed finishes.
Plumbing fittings
  • Wall-mount faucets where possible.
  • Single-lever in chrome, matte black, or polished nickel.
  • Undermount rectangular sinks with tight radius corners.
  • Freestanding tub in pure geometric form (rectangular or oval).
  • Avoid: cross handles, bridge faucets, ornate bases, vessel sinks.
Lighting
  • Architectural and geometric — Sputnik chandeliers, globe pendants, Arco floor lamps.
  • Nelson Bubble Lamps, PH Artichoke, Flos IC — Modernist icons.
  • Chrome, white, or black finishes.
  • Avoid: crystal, fabric shades, tiffany, rustic/farmhouse.
Fireplaces
  • Rectangular openings only.
  • Flush-face linear gas insert 48"-72" in white, black, or concrete surround.
  • Two-sided or peninsula where architecture allows.
  • Avoid: traditional mantels, stone arches, ornate tile.
Windows
  • Minimal or no treatment.
  • If needed: roller shades in white or gray, hidden in ceiling pocket.
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows with thin frames.
  • Avoid: drapery, valances, blinds with visible cords.
Stone
  • Solid engineered quartz in pure white or single-color.
  • Marble only in consistent tone — Thassos, Bianco Dolomite.
  • Stainless steel for kitchen.
  • Concrete for raw Modernist.
  • Avoid: heavy veining, granite speckle, warm tones, rustic stone.
Stone edges
  • Square/eased only — thinnest possible.
  • 2cm (3/4") for crisp look.
  • Mitered on islands.
  • Avoid: ogee, bullnose, beveled, rounded or decorative profiles.
Interior doors
  • Flush only — painted or wood veneer, no panels.
  • Ceiling-height preferred.
  • Concealed hinges.
  • Lever handles in chrome or matte black.
  • Pocket doors where possible.
  • Avoid: paneled doors, visible hinges, arched tops, ornate hardware.
Stairs
  • Open-riser with thin treads in wood, steel, or glass.
  • Mono-stringer in painted steel.
  • Glass or cable railing.
  • Handrail: round steel tube or flat bar.
  • Avoid: balusters, closed risers, carpet runners, newel posts.
Wallpaper
  • Generally avoided — walls should be clean planes of color.
  • If used: solid texture or very large-scale geometric in limited palette.
  • One accent wall max.
  • Avoid: florals, damask, toile, small patterns.
Paint
  • White is primary — BM Super White, Decorator's White.
  • Accent in primary colors (red, blue, yellow) for Bauhaus, or black.
  • Flat/matte sheen.
  • Avoid: warm whites, beige, pastels, earth tones, faux finishes.
Ceilings
  • Smooth, flat, white — no exceptions.
  • Level 5.
  • No moulding, detail, or texture.
  • 9'+ height preferred.
  • Recessed or integrated lighting only.
  • Avoid: coffering, tray, beams, crown, popcorn.
Wall details
  • None.
  • Clean, uninterrupted planes.
  • Feature walls use material (concrete, wood slat, steel) not moulding.
  • Avoid: all moulding, wainscoting, chair rail, picture rail, board-and-batten.
Furniture
  • Iconic Modernist: Barcelona Chair, Eames Lounge, Wassily Chair, Noguchi Table, Tulip Table.
  • Geometric forms, exposed structure, no ornamentation.
  • Furniture on legs.
  • Leather, chrome, molded materials.
  • Avoid: skirts, carved wood, overstuffed, matching suites.
Textiles
  • Limited.
  • Smooth leather for seating.
  • Flat-weave wool or cotton.
  • Pillows: solid, 18"x18" or 20"x20", no fringe.
  • Throws: solid cashmere or merino.
  • Avoid: heavy fabric, pattern, texture-heavy weaves, decorative trim.
Rugs
  • Solid-color wool flatweave or low-pile.
  • Geometric only if large-scale, two-color max.
  • Cowhide acceptable.
  • 8'x10' standard.
  • Neutral or single accent.
  • Avoid: oriental, floral, distressed vintage, multi-color, fringed.
Front door
  • Flush panel — no ornament, no raised panel, no molding.
  • Painted to match wall (disappearing door) or contrasting in primary color (red, yellow, blue — Modernist accent).
  • Slab construction.
  • Minimal hardware — single lever in chrome or stainless.
  • Sidelight in clear glass, flush frame.
  • Avoid: decorative glass, raised panels, ornate hardware, arched tops, natural wood grain (unless very clean-lined).
Garage doors
  • Flush panel in same material and color as adjacent wall — the door should disappear.
  • Aluminum and glass for transparent modern expression.
  • No hardware, no decorative elements.
  • Painted to match body color.
  • If glass, clear or frosted in minimal aluminum frame.
  • Avoid: all carriage-style, raised panel, decorative hardware, wood grain, traditional proportions.

Where to start

Real paint colors and products, so you have something specific to take to a paint counter or a showroom.

Wall paint
One White ThroughoutWalls, ceiling, trim identical — Chantilly Lace, Extra White
Flat / Matte OnlyZero sheen variation, zero accent walls
Flooring
Wide-Plank White Oak — MatteClean grain, minimal, light
Polished ConcreteMicro-topping, uniform, seamless
Large-Format Porcelain — WhiteNear-seamless, matte
Carpet
Ultra-Low Pile GrayBedroom only, if at all
No CarpetHard surface throughout
Slab stone
Natural QuartziteDurable natural stone with unique movement, 3cm polished or honed
Engineered QuartzConsistent pattern, low maintenance, 2-3cm polished
Marble — HonedClassic elegance, requires sealing, 3cm honed
Porcelain SlabLarge-format engineered, stone-look, 1.2-2cm
Trim
InvisibleShadow gap base, no crown, drywall returns everywhere
Doors
Flush Full HeightHidden hinge, no casing, disappears
Push-Latch — Wall FinishNo visible hardware
Lighting finish
Matte WhiteDisappears into ceiling
Matte Black finish sample
Matte BlackPrecise, minimal, geometric
Recessed OnlyTrimless, invisible, no decorative fixtures
Plumbing finish
Matte WhiteIntegrated, minimal, invisible
Brushed StainlessClean, industrial precision
Matte Black finish sample
Matte BlackContrast, geometric faucet forms

Finish samples are shown on cabinet hardware, so the metal reads true. Finishes without a sample are ones we have not photographed yet.

The architecture underneath

A lot of what makes a room read as this style is in the architecture, before any furniture comes in.

Flat RoofDefining Modernist feature — no pitch, clean parapet
Pilotis / ColumnsBuilding raised on thin columns (Le Corbusier principle)
Ribbon WindowsContinuous horizontal window bands, corner glass
White Stucco WallsSmooth render, no ornamentation, pure planes
Open Floor Plan VisibleGlass reveals interior spatial flow from outside
Cantilevered VolumesProjecting upper floors, defying gravity
Steel or Concrete FrameExposed structure as design element
No Applied OrnamentForm follows function — zero decorative trim

Outside

Where this style shows up on the elevation.

Siding
  • White stucco (smooth finish) is the Modernist signature — pure planes, no texture.
  • Concrete (board-formed or smooth) for brutalist expression.
  • Glass curtain wall with steel or aluminum frames.
  • Flat fiber cement panels in white or gray for clean surfaces.
  • Avoid: all ornamental trim, stone veneer, board-and-batten, wood shingles, anything applied or decorative.
Roofing
  • Flat roof with thin parapet or concealed edge — the Modernist essential.
  • No visible roofing material from ground level (hidden behind parapet).
  • If pitched: very low slope with minimal overhang.
  • Built-up or membrane roofing.
  • Avoid: all visible roofing materials (shingles, tile, metal), steep pitch, exposed rafter tails, dormers, gables.
Exterior windows
  • Ribbon windows (continuous horizontal bands) — the International Style signature.
  • Corner windows eliminating the structural post.
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass walls.
  • Steel or aluminum frames in black or natural aluminum — thin profiles, maximum glass.
  • No grilles, no divided lights.
  • Avoid: all grid patterns, small windows, traditional proportions, arched or specialty shapes, shutters.
Exterior lighting
  • Integrated and invisible where possible — recessed in soffits and overhangs.
  • Simple geometric wall sconces in chrome or white — cylinder or rectangular form.
  • Up-light on blank wall planes.
  • Minimal fixtures — lighting should be architectural, not decorative.
  • Avoid: all decorative lanterns, traditional fixtures, visible bulbs, ornate metalwork, warm brass tones.

What to know about the materials

A few materials this style uses need more care than they look like they will. Worth knowing before you choose them.

MarbleMarble etches when something acidic sits on it, like lemon, wine or tomato, and the marks are permanent. Some people love the softened look that builds up over time and some do not, so it is worth deciding before it goes in a kitchen.
LimestoneLimestone etches quickly, so it is not a good choice for a kitchen countertop.
TravertineTravertine is better kept off kitchen countertops.

If you are working on a house and want to see what this style would look like in it, set up a time with Jeid Studio and we can go through it with your answers in front of us.