Elements of Style: Bohemian Modern
Bohemian Modern, or BoMo. /Bohemian, n./ person with artistic/literary interests who disregards conventional standards of behavior + /Modern, adj. /of or pertaining to recent times or the present.
Barbara Bestor in her 2006 book “Bohemian Modern: Living in Silver Lake” described Bohemian Modern as a movement of a variety of “people who live happily and comfortably in modern environments without sacrificing their individuality.”
Her California community seems a sister city to Asbury Park. Silver Lake was initially settled by silent film stars (we had our own, Myrna Loy at the Santander), followed by progressives and artists. In the 1950s Silver Lake grew more conservative and more racially divided, followed by an influx of gays in the 1970s searching for an alternative to West Hollywood.
Although AP has little mid-century architecture, it shares the spirit as a place where diverse populations converge to regenerate and express their individuality.
What I especially love about BoMo is the dynamic interplay of design with personality. A few select pieces of mid-century furniture with a pinch of Marrakech; comfortable modern and a twist of self-expression.
Personal, non-conforming even idiosyncratic collections of photography, pottery or posters, express individuality. Display in either bold fashion for dramatic effect, or random clustering to build a history. The less formal the approach, the more comforting the environment.
Decide an overall theme for your home. A bold accent color that travels throughout your home. Perhaps bold wall colors but maintaining the baseboards the same color throughout. A particular designer could inspire you, perhaps Verner Panton. Or a Jack Lenore Larson fabric. Even a raw material like steel.
BoMo is about expression, not austerity. What is important in Bohemian Modern is clutter control, which in turn leads to the tranquil bohemian.
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