A home is nothing, but its inhabitants’ reflection!
‘Home’ is not a mere shelter, but the embodiment of emotions- a feeling of belongingness, comfort, and security that is unparalleled to any other place. It celebrates life, people, and the sheer joy of being. It fosters those moments of pure bliss and even stands witness to one’s turning points.
Whether it’s the laughter shared during family dinners, the warmth of gatherings with friends, or the quiet solitude of personal reflection, these experiences become intertwined with the very essence of the home. The bonds formed and nurtured within these walls contribute to a broader sense of existence.
The Evolving Notion of a Home
The concept of a home is reshaping to be more inclusive and personal. Today, people want their homes to make a statement about their aspirations and lifestyle. They need their homes to be clutter-free and stylish. As a result, function-driven spaces with chic minimalistic aesthetics have become the norm of the decade.
Viccarbe’s lounge seating Levitt designed by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba is a classic example of this ideology. Cushioned and upholstered for comfort, this seating is perfect for those evening coffee sessions to conclude your day in style.
“People are increasingly seeking functional spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also very adaptable to their various activities. The emphasis on outdoor spaces has surged, with clients eager to create environments that foster social interactions and a strong desire to incorporate more greenery into their designs.”
– Ali Mohammadioun, Co-founder and Principal Architect, E Plus A Atelier
In concurrence with this evolution, Ali Mohammadioun, the co-founder and principal architect at E Plus A Atelier explains, “People are increasingly seeking functional spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also very adaptable to their various activities.” Adding to this, he says “The emphasis on outdoor spaces has surged, with clients eager to create environments that foster social interactions and a strong desire to incorporate more greenery into their designs.”
Equipo DRT’s Sun-dark is a fire-resistant blackout material engineered to deliver complete light obstruction while marrying functionality with style. This 100% blackout fabric features a natural herringbone texture that allows reversible usage while maintaining a completely matte finish. With a spectrum encompassing 26 colors, ranging from calming neutrals to contemporary tones, ‘Sun-Dark’ embraces the full colour spectrum, catering to diverse design preferences.
Inviting the Outdoors Into Your Home
Co-existence is the way nature intended it to be. The interdependent relation between nature and mankind propels a holistic living. However, with rapid urbanisation, access to green open spaces has become sparse. So, to overcome this crisis, people are now embracing biophilic design elements and outdoor spaces in their homes. Incorporating terraces, courtyards, green walls, and gardens has become essential for a home.
Reflecting upon their recent body of work, Bruno Guelaff, Design Director at BG Villas states “Windows are the first step into making sure you can open the spaces to each other. Therefore, slimline systems can help the exterior being brought into the interior. Having furnishings with similar styling in both interior and exterior also helps to blur the definitive line between the spaces.”
“Windows are the first step into making sure you can open the spaces to each other. Therefore, slimline systems can help the exterior being brought into the interior. Having furnishings with similar styling in both interior and exterior also helps to blur the definitive line between the spaces.”
– Bruno Guelaff, Design Director at BG Villas
The Cambio Table Collection by Victor Carrasco, Founder, Viccarbe is a unique furniture line that finds application for both indoor and outdoor use. Its strong and smooth appearance can bring a dimension of luxury to homes.
Goa, a 100% linen fabric, by Equipo DRT presents an inviting, exotic aesthetic. The freshness of tropical foliage meets interior hues, whisking us away to a distinctive and innovative sanctuary. Through its lively patterned print, soft pastel shades, and subtle weathering, ‘Goa’ achieves a remarkable fusion, blending the essence of lush greenery with the organic feel of linen. Its exclusive design ensures a one-of-a-kind piece that captivates attention in any setting, whether used for curtains, cushions, chairs, or various upholstery applications.
Inviting the Outdoors Into Your Home
Thanks to globalisation, people’s understanding of culture has widened. The modern populace is more experimental and accepting of various traditions and practices. This has resulted in the living space becoming a conflux of manners. It represents a safe place for sharing and learning fostering the creation of a vibrant community.
Bivaq’s Vint lounge seat by Andres Bluth echoes a similar thought process. Thoughtfully curated as a blend of vintage and contemporary design, this neo-retro furniture piece is as sleek as it gets. Paired with biophilic elements, it can stand out as an element of basic geometry that seamlessly gels with nature.
Designing Homes for Hosting People
“I think when you invite people home, you invite them to yourself,” said Oprah Winfrey; and we cannot help but nod in agreement with her. So, when people visit you, they are actually looking forward to getting to know you in the best way possible. And in that pursuit, house parties and gatherings have become an extension of the contemporary lifestyle. The living areas and their adjoining outdoor spaces are no longer just meant for your family but are also designed to accommodate guests.
Personifying this idea is the Nak sofa from Bivaq which is a suitable fit for outdoor spaces. Equipped with a removable backrest or armrest, this seating can adjust to the varying needs of people, depicting flexibility at its best.
Taking cues from their projects, Ali Mohammadioun highlights the significance of integrating outdoor areas with the living space. He asserts, “For outdoor areas, we strive to craft highly sophisticated spaces by carefully curating plant selections from around the world. Our goal is to create unique, immersive environments that promote relaxation and mindfulness. These curated spaces seamlessly integrate with the local climate and conditions, addressing factors like climate and irrigation needs.”
“For outdoor areas, we strive to craft highly sophisticated spaces by carefully curating plant selections from around the world. Our goal is to create unique, immersive environments that promote relaxation and mindfulness. These curated spaces seamlessly integrate with the local climate and conditions, addressing factors like climate and irrigation needs.”
– Ali Mohammadioun, Co-founder and Principal Architect, E Plus A Atelier
The Loft in Valencia designed by Studio Montanyana is an impressive example in this league. This luxurious residence imbibes sophistication through the careful use of forms and materials. A striking element of the project is the smart incorporation of Kibo linen fabrics by Equipo DRT. The fabric has a formal, elegant, and timeless appearance, underlining a muted sense of the native Mediterranean finish.
Selecting the Right Furniture for A Home
Furniture is crucial in setting up the circulation of a home. It guides people to navigate through their place while making it more liveable. Zooming the focus on modern residences, people need furniture that is more dynamic and adaptable to their changing needs. Therefore, pieces like the Maarten lounge chair from Viccarbe and the Illa low table by Bivaq have become people’s favourites. They are comfortable, minimal, and fluid- serving exactly what is required for a fast-paced life.
“Furniture has form and function. The form should lend itself to help express your personality and overall design preferences. On the other hand, the function should satisfy your daily lifestyle including entertainment style for example a modular seating system may be a less rigid option versus a conventional sofa,” says Bruno Guelaff.
“Furniture has form and function. The form should lend itself to help express your personality and overall design preferences. On the other hand, the function should satisfy your daily lifestyle including entertainment style for example a modular seating system may be a less rigid option versus a conventional sofa.”
– Bruno Guelaff, Design Director at BG Villas
Curating Homes that Support the Modern Way of Living
Understanding what people truly need has and will always be imperative to designing residential spaces. Thus, homes need to reflect the character of the people who occupy them. Further, with the advancements in technology, homes are being envisioned as dynamic spaces that prioritise efficiency, directing the way forward to a sustainable way of living.
