Sophistication, darling

Sophistication is certainly ‘the rage’ in the current interior design world. Indeed, the trend toward elegance is perceptible everywhere. And that feels more or less like this: In the dimmed light of the brass-colored floor lamp you sink into the fabulously soft velvet of the Bordeaux-red bed, while the matte-gold side table next to you vies with the metallic threads of the silk curtain for your attention. The impression is certainly borne out by the Nya Nordiska booth. Here opulent decorative fabrics are a “reinterpretation of Art Deco elements,” and shiny leaf motifs and printed foam applications resemble metal sequins. “Art Deco” as a historical category may not always fit the bill, nevertheless the experiments call to mind past times when modesty was still an alien concept. The fabrics were adorned by decorative elements and geometric patterns, and the wood of the heavy furniture featured subtle intarsia. The living spaces of today’s mid-to-upper class should exude luxurious glamour with muted tones, stylish and with a touch of extravagance, without sliding into embarrassing nouveau-riche chic.

There is still no clear picture of the trends appearing here and there: upwards outliers most definitely welcome. Like the polished stainless-steel “Pli Table” that shimmers in various nuances, designed by Victoria Wilmotte for Classicon. And when it comes to elegance, clear lines are not necessarily an obstacle. Indeed, Philipp Mainzer’s sideboard “Jorel” for Interlübke seeks with its simple form and golden surface to be something special, which effortlessly blends into the aesthetics of the home environment peppered with precious metal.

Yet there are some pitfalls to the new glamor in your own home. For instance, accents need to be carefully considered, otherwise the whole thing can quickly look cluttered. Sequined pillows, such as those at Christian Fischbacher, can easily border on kitsch. By contrast, the floral, fan-like and softly iridescent embellishment of the fabric “Belle Epoque” from the current collection is all the more appropriate, calling to mind popular patterns at the dawn of the 20th century.

A stronger emphasis on decorative elements aims to highlight quality and long-standing stylistic components: Heavy materiality meets cool precious metal and dark wood. Whereas bronze was strongly featured in recent years, now we are seeing more gold and brass tones. These sophisticated furnishings create a splendor in one’s own four walls that would become any distinguished lounge.