Design report
With its focus on organic, shapely design that indulges the senses, minimaluxe embodies the way we want to live and decorate today
FEATURE Ellen Finch
5 ways to be more minimaluxe
Sinuous lines and fluid forms are in the spotlight – and this organic trend is going nowhere. Eschew hard edges for soft, shapely pieces; choose seating that envelops you in its curves, lampshades with undulating scalloped edges and highlight architectural features like arches if you’re lucky enough to have them.
Minimaluxe is about contrast done subtly: the best designers are creating interesting vignettes even within a single piece of furniture by experimenting with disparity. Play with the materials in your home’s palette: think natural wood next to concrete, hand-worn textures played off against gleam and hard stone surfaces with soft edges.
The Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi applies here: there’s beauty in imperfection, and organic materials and textures lend a tactility to a space that encourages a more mindful way of being. Find it in the unique woodgrain in a piece of furniture, the threads and knots in a linen curtain, a brass tap with a patina developed over time, or a ceramic vase bearing traces of its maker.
In the most impressive spaces by interior designers and architects, the key feature was a palpable – almost monastic – sense of space and an abundance of natural light. You might not be able to change your room’s shape, but you can decorate to enhance height; likewise, encourage brightness by choosing simple, light colour palettes and dressing windows minimally (or not at all).
A motto to go by whatever the trend, but minimaluxe done well means your space should be sophisticated, but still comfortable. It’s in the layering of colour and textures, the elements that nod to your own personal style and the extra touches that appeal to something beyond aesthetics. Designing for the senses will elevate your scheme further: turn over to find out how.
Creating a tactile space with texture
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER DANIELLE SIGGERUD TALKS MATERIALITY AND ITS ROLE IN A MINIMALUXE SCHEME
Interiors relate to the body and mind in a very immediate way due to their scale and functionality. In my mind, materiality and tactility have the ability to ground, to bring the user to the ‘here and now’ through the immediate experience of space and object.
I aim to create spaces that are balanced and carefully curated to achieve the sense of being at ease. I remove all that is unnecessary, stripping the room down to its essence, and the lighting, doors, fixtures and storage become part of the structure. Everything yo
