When you have the means to decorate with almost no budgetary restriction, you may think this is the ultimate in design freedom. But the truth is that any good creative project is often better assisted when restrained in some way. The Mona Lisa only 77 cm in height and 53 cm in width after all, showcasing that even a masterpiece can be implemented in small form, and on limited canvas.
As such, you’ll often find that the best and most modern luxury interiors generally feel a lot calmer and less confronting than you would expect. This is especially the case in those homes that know how to present their luxury without being distasteful or being gaudy. The old principle suggests that money talks, but wealth whispers.
If you hope to implement refined decoration into your household, or are doing so on behalf of someone else, the following advice may help you:
Consider Statement Pieces Balanced With Simplicity
You could easily find yourself drawn to filling every corner with expensive items, but the homes that truly impress know how to let their best pieces breathe, and aren’t afraid to let them stand out alone. A single exceptional artwork on an otherwise clean wall will demand attention in ways that a gallery wall of lesser pieces might feel cluttered on, and it’s important to have that balance right.
That restraint does require confidence of course, because it means saying no to beautiful things that don’t serve the overall vision. You could have the budget for multiple chandeliers, but choosing one extraordinary piece and placing it perfectly will create a focal point, for example. Marble dining table and chairs may be where you place the marble, and perhaps leave behind the possible floor texture renewal because of that. Discipline is key.
Use Antique, Character Pieces
Antique pieces generally add character depth to any space, and it’s not just their age that makes them valuable in a luxury sense, because the stories and craftsmanship that modern manufacturing won’t come with will give your home a sense of history. So for instance, an antique Persian rug or a vintage European writing desk can be a nice standout in a home office.
Of course, antiques can be real luxury also, and will demonstrate a sense of taste on your end. You can still balance that with new features, as you might pair an armoire with sleek modern lighting for example, which has a nice blend of different eras that feel natural. These pieces may also appreciate in value over time, making them investments that are nice decorations but also wise to buy.
Try Not To Make Expensive Materials Clash
Luxury materials deserve respect, and part of that respect means understanding how they interact with each other in a space. You could afford both marble countertops and exotic wood cabinetry for instance, but if their undertones fight against each other, it might feel like you focused on expense as opposed to matching taste.
It’s helpful to consider, then how different textures and finishes work together throughout the day as lighting changes. A good example will be natural materials like stone and wood, which often complement each other beautifully because they share organic origins, while metals and their hue may need to be balanced more carefully.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily prevent a luxury interior from seeming gaudy.
