The Lure of ‘Quiet Luxury’
After decades of over-the-top interiors that have screamed for attention–i.e rooms filled with every article of furniture being a “showpiece” and every material and finish bringing the “bling,” we are shifting to a more subtle expression of luxury in the interior design world.
The new buzz word (or phrase) is “quiet luxury.” What is quiet luxury in interior design? It's not about flashy, unchecked displays of wealth. It's about creating spaces that are stylish, comfortable, and inviting, without being too noisy or attention-seeking. As with fashion, we are increasingly seeing a shift towards putting elements together in a refined way that doesn’t blatantly state it’s “designer” origins.
Quiet luxury is all about “the devil being in the details.” It's about creating a mood and feeling of ease and comfort using high-quality materials, finishes, and furnishings to create a sense of understated elegance. We kind of think of it as designing with the equivalent of your favorite cashmere sweater in mind–pure quality, comfort and understated luxe. Quiet luxury is also about creating spaces that are functional and efficient, without sacrificing style.
The Characteristics of Quiet Luxury
There are a few essential characteristics that define quiet luxury in interior design. These include:
● Simplicity: Quiet luxury is all about simplicity. It's about using clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and neutral colors to create a sense of calm and serenity.
● Quality: Quiet luxury is about using high-quality materials, finishes, and furnishings. This doesn't mean that everything has to be expensive, but it does mean that you should choose pieces that will last and that will look good for years to come. The old adage “buy the best you can afford” comes to mind.
● Functionality: In the quiet luxury sensibility, the spaces should be inviting and super comfortable, but they should also be functional and not superfluous. Every design element should have a purpose and “reason” for being incorporated in the space. This means that the room should allow for fluid movement and ease, and that the furniture is all about reinforcing a comfort and welcome.
● Sustainability: We also like the fact that quiet luxury is increasingly about sustainability. We are loving, for example, the double faced Donghia fabrics made of cashmere blends–not only are they amazing to touch but you know they will stand the test of time! Energy efficient appliances and lighting are also fundamental to the quiet luxury approach to design.
So, how can you make quiet luxury work in your own home?
A few tips to get you started:
● Start with the basics, and don’t be afraid to build slowly. The hallmark of any quiet luxury space is a good foundation. So, start with high-quality materials, such as hardwood floors, marble countertops, and custom cabinetry. These elements are the “bones” of your quiet luxury foundation.
● Choose neutral colors for the starting point of your room’s palette. Neutral tones make us feel peaceful and grounded, and are the key to creating a sense of calm and serenity. Choose a neutral palette for the walls, furniture, and accessories.
● Add pops of color. If you want to add a little bit of personality to your space, add pops of color with pillows, artwork, and other accessories. We also like using personal collections and objects judiciously to create depth and add a personal touch.
● Use natural light. Natural light is one of the best ways to create a sense of calm and luxury in a space. If your home does not have a lot of natural light, a genius trick is to use light toned furniture and accessories to reflect the light that you do have.
● Accessorize with care. When it comes to accessories, less is more. Choose a few well-placed, well-crafted accessories to add personality to your space, but don't overdo it.
● Add plants and let the touch of nature enliven the space and improve the air quality in your home!
● Focus on the details. The details are what make a space feel truly luxurious. This means paying attention to things like the quality of the hardware, the finish on the furniture, and the way the space is lit.
Quiet luxury is all about creating spaces that are stylish, comfortable, and inviting, without being too “over the top” and aggressively attention seeking. It's about using high-quality materials, beautiful (often natural) finishes, and exceptionally crafted furnishings to create a sense of understated elegance.
We hope our quiet luxury tips will be helpful to you in creating the perfect inviting haven! Follow these few essential principles and you will be on your way!
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