Book excerpt: More than forty years after its first appearance as an artistic movement, minimalism is one of the most enduring trends of our times and a firmly established esthetic aspect of architecture and design. In interior design, minimalism can be defined by the following characteristics: simple forms, pure lines, unobstructed spaces and neutral colors. This style advocates harmonious as well as functional surroundings, and banishes excess or any kind of visual 'population'. Despite the strictness of its principles, the increasing popularity of minimalism has toned down the rules a little in order to create more livable and less strict, and ultimately more human, domestic environments. This book offers decoration ideas based on the most contemporary form of miminalism, as well as inspiring maxims of the leading exponents of this movement. -- from front flap.