Modern furniture designs from the past are given a contemporary feel by Rodgers of York

Timeless furniture with a contemporary vibe – Rodgers. Picture – supplied.

The difference between modern and contemporary furniture may not be known to all but Rodgers of York can take you through it and help you achieve a stunning, timeless home

The leading independent furniture retailer knows more than most about design, and the importance of understanding the varied concepts.

Modern design is actually not very up to date in calendar terms, even if it might be on trend. It refers to a period which began in the late 19th century and lasted until the middle of the 20th century. Furniture designs from this time – which are currently very popular – were inspired by the modernism art movement which, particularly in the post-Second World War years, saw a move towards practicality and away from excess.

Contemporary furniture design is what is taking place in workshops right now. It is the most up to date trends, influenced by modern design at the moment but with the advantage of taking in other styles to create much sought after pieces.

Contemporary furniture from a respected Yorkshire firm. Picture – supplied.

Rodgers of York are experts in contemporary design and stock the work some of the best manufacturers around. Here are some examples:

Ercol

Italian designer Lucian R Ercolani founded Ercol in Buckinghamshire in 1920 and it has gone on to become an iconic British brand. In the post-war years the company made a commercial success of a Board of Trade contract to make 100,000 Windsor chairs, revolutionising the way wood can be bent by steam and then assembled quickly.

Now, their contemporary designs reflect an ever-evolving style which stays true to an ethos of sophisticated functionality in all rooms of the house.

Know the difference between modern and contemporary furniture? Rodgers of York do. Picture – supplied.

Stressless

In 1934 Stressless began making springs for furniture and mattresses, building a reputation for durability. A move into furniture manufacture, which style at the forefront, led to the launch of the Stressless recliner in 1971, viewed by many as the world’s first recliner.

As well as using the Glide system to mirror your movements and the Plus system to give neck and lumber support, the ethos of sustainability was central, something that its contemporary pieces still have – designed to last a lifetime.

Venjakob

This German manufacture takes precision, quality and detail and delivers world-class craftsmanship. Traditional styles are combined with the most up to date processing techniques.

The result is timeless furniture which become centrepieces in whichever type of home they grace.

Disselkamp

Bedroom furniture from Disselkamp, also from Germany, is among the most sought after because of its contemporary design and superb craftsmanship.

Family-run, the firm uses authentic wood veneers including wild oak, walnut, heart beech and champagne birch across all its ranges, meaning a mix and match approach works really well.

Gwinner

With its origins in the Black Forest, Gwinner delivers living and dining ranges with natural yet contemporary feel.

Because of a focus on creating modular elements an all-encompassing style can be created with different furniture pieces across a whole room. At the same time, high standards are always achieved in the craftsmanship and processing, meaning you can be certain of having a long-lasting piece of furniture which also looks fantastic.

Find out more

You will find Rodgers at Monks Cross, York, YO32 9JR. Or you can call 01904 610 570, or go to www.rodgersofyork.co.uk