Modern Design: Simple, Clean, and Surprisingly Strategic

Modern design often gets praised for its clean lines, simplicity, and minimalism. It looks effortless, doesn’t it? But here’s the secret: modern design relies on incredibly strategic decisions to achieve that polished, uncluttered look. Every element is deliberate, and every detail has a purpose.

What’s even more fascinating is how modern/contemporary styles can often stay ‘timeless’ longer than other design styles. These photos, showcasing a project Drury Design owner and creative director Gladys Schanstra designed for her Schanstra Design Group business eight years ago, still look fresh, elegant, and in line with today’s trends. Now, that’s timeless.

This raises an interesting question: why is it that some design styles seem to hold their own over time while others may start to feel dated? Transitional design, for example, is deeply beloved by many of our clients—and for good reason! It blends traditional and modern styles in a way that feels deeply personal. But modern design’s minimalism gives it an extra oomph of staying power, allowing it to feel relevant for years.

In this blog post, Gladys will take us through some of her favorite spaces from this project, highlighting the strategic choices that make modern design so captivating. 

And while this project focuses on modern design, it’s worth mentioning that Gladys and the team at Drury Design provide full-service interior design for all styles. Whether it’s designing a timeless modern kitchen or curating the perfect furniture and decor for a transitional living room, we love collaborating with clients to bring their vision to life.

Now, let’s dive into the spaces and uncover the secrets behind their enduring appeal.

The home’s exterior showcases a striking modern design, blending warm wood accents with sleek brickwork. Its clean, boxy architecture creates a bold yet inviting presence.

A Modern Exterior That Balances Clean Lines and Natural Elements

When designing a modern home, there’s a delicate balance between contemporary aesthetics and incorporating natural elements that make the space feel grounded. This project exemplifies that harmony beautifully.

At first glance, the home’s exterior showcases a clean, linear design. The horizontal wood siding pairs seamlessly with the stone facade below, creating a layered effect that feels both modern and organic. Gladys explains, “The blend of stone and natural materials with the wood siding adds warmth to the design, while maintaining that crisp, contemporary feel.”

This sunroom’s natural wood tones, soft grays, and pops of green create a harmonious palette that brings the outside inside.

A Sunroom That Brings the Outdoors In

This sunroom beautifully blurs the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. One of its standout features is the wood siding, which flows seamlessly from the exterior into the room.

“The siding is fumed wood, which enhances the grain and brings out rich, saturated tones,” Gladys explains. “It even has a slight bluish hue, tying in beautifully with the decor.”

The room’s color palette was inspired by the wood tones—grays, browns, and subtle blues. The repurposed rug, originally from the old house, adds vibrant greens that complement the natural elements.

Repurposed rugs and subtle pops of color add warmth to this airy, modern sunroom.

“We kept the design casual and layered in interesting textures,” Gladys says. “It’s not overly curated, which gives it a relaxed, welcoming feel.”

Soft lavender tiles and precise design details give this bathroom a sleek and sophisticated edge.

The Monochromatic Lavender Bathroom

This bathroom is a perfect example of how modern design can make a bold statement with minimal elements. With just two colors—white and lavender—it achieves a clean, cohesive look while delivering plenty of visual interest.

A sculptural monolithic sink and precise grout lines elevate this minimalist bathroom design.

The lavender tiles create a soft, serene atmosphere, while the grout lines were meticulously planned to align perfectly. “Every single detail was thought out,” explains Gladys. “There’s no room for error when you’re working with this level of precision.”

The monolithic sink feels sculptural, adding functional beauty to the space. Even the stool in the shower was carefully chosen to complement the design while providing practical seating.

“People either love or hate this bathroom,” Gladys says. “And that’s okay—it’s designed to evoke a reaction. That means it’s memorable, and that’s what great design should strive for.”

Strategic window placement and handmade tile bring subtle charm to this compact bathroom.

A Powder Room Full of Subtle Surprises

This compact powder room near the front of the home proves that even the smallest spaces can make a big impact. With a floating vanity, sculptural sconces, and a stunning tile wall, it’s both functional and beautiful.

One of the most intriguing details is the window placement, which offers a unique view of the wood siding under the roof’s overhang. “At first glance, it creates an optical illusion,” Gladys notes. “It’s one of those subtle elements that makes the space more dynamic.”

The powder room’s back wall highlights the sleek, vertically arranged white tiles that add height and modern elegance to the space.

The back wall features a handmade tile that the homeowners fell in love with. “It’s such a unique piece, and it adds just the right amount of visual interest,” Gladys says.

A trough sink with dual faucets makes this Jack and Jill bathroom both functional and fun.

Designed for two sisters, this Jack and Jill bathroom is all about combining practicality with thoughtful design.

The trough sink, complete with two faucets, solves the problem of limited counter space while adding a playful touch. A wooden divider provides just enough separation between the two sides.

The 2×2-inch hexagon tiles on the floor extend into the curbless shower, creating a seamless look. “Continuity is key here,” Gladys says. “It makes the space feel larger and cleaner.”

The curbless shower’s seamless hex tile flooring and bold herringbone accent make this space pop.

The shower’s herringbone tile accent adds a pop of color and texture, while the tile-in drain keeps the design sleek and unobtrusive.

A Bianca Lasa Oro marble countertop and gold accents shine in this modern kitchen.

A Kitchen That’s All About Subtle Grandeur

This kitchen is a stunning example of how clean, modern design can incorporate warmth and texture.

This open-concept kitchen flows effortlessly into the adjacent sitting area, perfectly positioned to take advantage of natural light and stunning backyard views through the expansive glass wall.

The kitchen’s carefully curated color palette bridges the gap between silver and gold accents, proving that the two finishes can harmonize beautifully in a modern design.

The kitchen’s restrained palette of white, gold, and gray creates a timeless look. The brushed gold accents, seen in the barstools and Tom Dixon light fixtures, add warmth, while the painted terracotta backsplash provides texture and character.

Clean lines and natural materials define this timeless kitchen, where every detail is deliberate.

The showstopper is the Bianca Lasa Oro marble countertop, complete with a book-matched seam. “At the time, people said you couldn’t put a seam in the middle of the sink,” Gladys recalls. “But we worked with the fabricator to make it a standout feature instead of something to hide.”

“Note that the backsplash tiles aren’t machine-perfect,” Gladys explains. “They’re hand-formed terracotta, which gives them subtle imperfections that balance the clean lines of the cabinetry.”

The back of the house continues the playful approach to modern design, pairing sleek lines and neutral tones with pops of vibrant color. This thoughtful touch makes the clean, contemporary aesthetic feel fun, inviting, and effortlessly comfortable.

The Takeaway: Thoughtful Design Is Timeless

This project is a testament to the idea that modern design is far from simple. It requires careful planning, a keen eye for detail, and a willingness to let materials take center stage.

What’s perhaps most striking is how timeless these spaces feel, even eight years later! The clean lines, restrained palettes, and use of natural materials allow modern interiors to stay fresh and relevant for years.

Whether your style leans modern, transitional, traditional, or something entirely unique, Gladys and the team at Drury Design are here to help bring your vision to life. From kitchens and bathrooms to full-service interior design, we love collaborating with clients to create spaces that feel both functional and beautiful.

Ready to start your next project? Let’s create something timeless together!