Home & Decor – September 2019

voices

the

objective

Nikki’sboldstyle

ofcreatingplush

designerinteriors

hasgarnered

international

acclaim,suchas

beingincluded

amongthe

World’sTop 100

Designersinthe

AndrewMartin

DesignReview.

Max It Out

Nikki Hunt, co-founder of
award-winning design studio
Design Intervention, shares
her essential tips on how to
get the maximalist look for
your home.

M

aximalism is

definitely on-trend

now, judging by the

number of recent articles in

design magazines and the

news, declaring a new age

of opulence, a resurgence of

colour or a rediscovery of this

decadent style.

Of course, as a self-

confessed maximalist aesthete

at heart, I could not be

happier about this! At Design

Intervention, we have been

championing this modern

maximalist style for a few years

now. But the year 2019 is seeing

this look becoming mainstream.

Even Ikea

(yes, the purveyor

of streamlined

Scandinavian lines)

has launched a

new collection with

distinct maximalist

leanings. And

quite frankly, after

well over two

decades of clean

lines and neutral

palettes, a change

is long overdue.

So what exactly

iS thiS New

MaxiMaliSM?

This design style mixes

eras, patterns, textures and

materials. It incorporates

elaborate detailing and

showcases treasured artefacts.

Maxed-out interiors are multi-

layered, delivering a dynamic

and multifaceted environment

that is uplifting, revitalising.

They make for empowering

statements and always feel

utterly unique. When you adopt

this approach for your space, it

reflects your courage to live life

to its fullest.

The minimalist interior

has dominated the design

landscape since the mid-1990s,

when homeowners were drawn

to its subtlety and understated

aesthetic. However, with the

dawn of a new millennium and

the rise of technology, there

is an increasing desire for

individuality and the ability to

stand out from the crowd. While

bloggers and influencers make

use of digital technology to

achieve this, interior designers

now turn to maximalism as a

way to create unique, one-of-a-

kind spaces.

Minimalist interiors are

imbued with serenity, while

maximalist ones

radiate energy.

Minimalist

interiors embrace

simplicity, while

the maximalist

room delights

in featuring

unexpected

elements.

Minimalist rooms

are understated,

and maximalist

ones are luxurious.

Minimalist

interiors include

only what is

functional,

while maximalist ones

are filled with details and

embellishment. Where

minimalists celebrate the

unfettered lifestyle, maximalists

celebrate life with all its

nuances and idiosyncrasies.

However there is one

important similarity and it

may astound you. Everyone

knows that minimalism is

all about removing clutter

but it may surprise you to

learn that decluttering is

essential for a chic maximalist

interior too. That is why