Urban Renewal

Just when it seemed that all design was flowing from a classical vein, a purely modern renaissance has struck back to its very roots. Essential forms are played out in a tantalizing lineup of textures: glass, raw silk, metal, burlap, patent leather and snakeskin. Urban to the core, the orchestrated perfection of the whole look is tempered by imperfect, or organically inspired, individual designs. The absence of color serves to throw the absolute sophistication into greater relief.

All prices are suggested retail

Streamlined and refined, Barclay Butera Home's Bel Air bench features a glamorous double X wooden bracket base and natural silk upholstery ($4,742).

A variegated, matte gold finish imparts subtle sophistication to organically shaped Map bowls from Moderna by Roberta Schilling.

Bronzed mirror frames Trowbridge Gallery's lifelike nautilus, bringing out the natural whirling striations of the shell ($1,493).

Inspired by a lyre, Riedel Crystal's limited edition Black Amadeo decanter allows wine to be decanted into the wide opening and poured out through the slender aperture ($450).

A stainless steel border lends an edgy vibe to Asiaphile's exotic snake tray, offered in brown or gray ($215).

Barbara Cosgrove's textural table lamp tops a sculptured laurel wreath base in metal with a square burlap shade ($245).

An urbane melding of Deco and Asian results in Mariana Antinori's sleekly defined patent leather and cherry wood bench ($2,400).

Creamy layers of knife pleats punctuate silk dupioni in Lucca, a richly modern confection from Blissliving Home ($380, three-piece full/queen duvet set).

From Liora Manne for Trans-Ocean, the indoor-outdoor Spello rug sees spots in a mesmerizing array of natural hues. ($290, 5×8).

Tozai Home winds "strings" of clay around and around to create the delightfully decorative bowl ($72).