I'm Tired of Green.

I'm not trying to say that I want to kill the earth, or destroy the ozone, or leave a polluted mess for my grandkids to take care of, but I'm so tired of this "green" craze that's going on right now. I do think that in the future, green will be the only way, there won't be a differentiation between the green products and non-green products because they will all be environmentally friendly in some way or another... but right now, green is trendy. You can't go anywhere without having green shoved down your throat. There are so many things labeled "green" I wonder if it has become another subjective term like "low fat". I feel like you are not cool unless you buy "green", live "green", talk "green"... I feel guilty every time I go shopping if I don't buy the "green" product, like I'm going to be personally responsible for destroying the earth. They just promoted a news report about "green" clothing. Are you telling me I can't buy regular clothes anymore? I'm ready for green to no longer be trendy... for people to use green because there is no other option, that's just what you do, and it doesn't define your "cool" factor.

Modern vs. Contemporary

I was going to write about this exact thing but I found this article on the 2Modern design blog and felt there was no reason to paraphrase another good blog. I think it's worth reading, especially since I ask myself this question often.

Modern vs. Contemporary

There is a little debate going on here that I thought I would throw some commentary on:
http://2modern.blogs.com/2modern/2007/10/2008-dream-ride.html

What is the definition of MODERN vs the definition of CONTEMPORARY?

MODERN: from the dictionary:
adjective:Characteristic or expressive of recent times or the present; contemporary or up-to-date: a modern lifestyle; a modern way of thinking.noun:One who lives in modern times.

So...by definition, anything that is of current time, is modern. So isn't everything contemporary then modern because it is of "modern time"...aka "now"? Well, no, not really...because just because it is "new", doesn't mean that it is "modern".

Why is it that classic "modern" design is defined by some as "modern" and new design is considered "contemporary"?

Is the term "modern" forever frozen in mid 20th century?

CONTEMPORARY: from the dictionary:
adjective1. Belonging to the same period of time: a fact documented by two contemporary sources.2. Of about the same age.3. Current; modern

Now I am confused..."modern" is listed under "Contemporary" and "contemporary" is listed under "Modern".

Now..."Modernism" of course is something a bit different. That term often refers to the movement from traditional forms within the art, design, architecture and literature during the 20th century.

Is it fair to say that "Modern" should be the phrase that refers to any contemporary design that is moving away from traditional forms of design? If that is the case, when does the old guard of "Modern" become more stale and traditional and the new designers of current times become more "Modern" based on the definition?

I guess there will always be "Classic Modern" defining the innovative design from the past and "Modern" which refers to "Contemporary Modern" design of now (and the future).

What's Your Design Style?

I've decided I hate that question. I realize that I have a poll on the right asking just that but that's beside the point. I also realize that in my business, it's the easiest way to start to figure out what your client might want, but it's too limiting. Why do you have to limit yourself to a particular "style"? I think everyone should be allowed to have a personal style that may draw from other eras and styles but not confined by them. I tend towards a contemporary style, with touches of mid century modern, fabrics from the baroque or victorian periods, the woods of prairie style, a couple of things out of the latest pottery barn catalog, the affordability of ikea, and asian acessories. Does that give me bad taste or make me a bad designer? I don't think so. Maybe a better question is "What inspires you?". So, what inspires you?