The Art of Quiet Luxury – The Shift From Maximalism To Mindful Minimalism

The concept of ‘less is more’ is actively incorporated everywhere, including home decor and interior design. The design and creative world was once only enamoured by maximalism and opulence. But the norms are changing, and the aesthetics of minimalism and quiet luxury are also redefining traditional luxury. This evolving concept embraces quality over quantity, craftsmanship over brands, and classics over trends. These 5 homes adopt minimalist lifestyle aesthetics in the designs and showcase the shift towards quiet luxury. 

1. Working With Natural Light And Air Flow At The Caramel House

An easy way to let light, air and conversations flow is the placement of furniture in the house. The Caramel House at Elenza Green, located in the heart of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a 3-bedroom apartment designed by Akhil Gajjar, Ravi Pipalia, and Yash Vachhani from Verizon Architects. The design team broke down the traditional barriers to encourage a free flow amongst the home’s common spaces. The doors were removed, visual monotony was broken, and furniture was placed in a manner that allowed natural light to fall all over the space. “Our goal was to optimise the use of space and furniture, ensuring each area feels balanced without being cluttered or empty,” Gajjar explains.

The narrative of calm is maintained through all the rooms. The master bedroom is a sanctuary of tranquillity and is designed with detailed choices. Every part of the Caramel House, from its warm, natural colours and eye-catching art to the simple furniture and elegant decor, shows how to incorporate quiet luxury in the spaces in a stylish manner. 

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2. Spaces That Breathe Through Open Layouts At The Summer Opera

Wabi sabi home decor and Japanese minimalism have taken the home decor world by storm. Designers and architects are incorporating minimalist yet luxurious interiors in home designs. Gautam Shewa Architects designed this 1,500-sq-ft home, named ‘Summer Opera’ in Mumbai’s Bandra locality, as an artistic amalgamation of Japanese minimalism and English countryside aesthetic. “By integrating such diverse cultural elements, the residence embodies a timeless ambience, transforming it from a mere living space into a serene retreat,” says the architect.

The 3-bedroom home is designed to make the best use of space, with smooth transitions between the rooms. The open layout of the home with slow living interiors includes a living room, a dining space, a kitchen and bedrooms. The living room is cosy, with rattan-infused furniture and muted furnishings. The dining space exudes elegance with two wooden benches set adjacent to a wooden dining table. The bedrooms are designed meticulously to encourage the flooding of natural light. While one bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows for free flow of light, the other has a corner window setting, making it a cosy reading nook. The spaces smoothly flow into one another, making the entire house feel connected.

3. The Power Of Neutrals And Monochromatic Minimalism At The Hued Home

Introducing minimalist interior designs with a monochromatic colour palette is also a way to embrace mindful minimalism. Designed by Caroline Braganza Designs for a family of four, the Hued Home is a 3150-sq-ft space in Surat’s 19-storeyed tower that blends a timeless aesthetic with functionality and minimalism. The home was thoughtfully designed in a soft monochromatic colour palette with stylish, modern and luxurious materials. “Meeting the client’s needs without going overboard—it required a delicate balance of restraint and creativity, knowing precisely where to draw the design to a close and to ensure their satisfaction without excessive embellishment,” says the designer.

The monochromatic colour palette in grey is coupled with vibrant furnishings and accents to create minimalist lifestyle aesthetics. “The captivating colour palette harmoniously complements the interplay of lighting, rugs, and furnishings, creating an enchanting visual symphony,” says Braganza.  In the expansive living room sits a sleek black dining table with eight chairs to maintain the tonality of the grey shade. To complement it, the dramatic light fixtures are suspended from the ceiling. Soft furnishings, a fiery orange wall art and fluid furniture pieces make the living room look chic, keeping the grey colour palette intact.