What is Luxury Interior Design?
Luxury interior design (also known as ultra hi-end interior design) is an art form that creates beautiful interiors and unique living experiences. It requires; a creative design process, outside-the-box thinking and a lot of know how. It’s led by an experienced luxury interior designer.
Most of the design is bespoke and involves creating a functional layout, interior architecture, joinery, freestanding furniture, window treatments, accessories as well as supervision over all the suppliers and contractors. The final result is an extraordinary home that’s fun to live in!
The majority of clients that are using luxury interior design services are part of the super wealthy, also known as the Ultra High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWI). These clients are searching for unique designs and experiences to benefit their lifestyle. They need to be confident that they’re getting an exceptional beautiful one-of-a-kind home. Who wouldn’t?
Why am I certain about it? Because, I’ve spent lots of years designing exclusive luxury interiors; working for clients around the world: London, Hong Kong and New York as-well-as designing interiors for yachts and cruise ships. If you want to give your home the ultra hi-end interior design you have two options:
- Read on and follow my tips. Or,
- Contact me to do it for you.
Luxury Interior Design VS Usual Interior Design
Luxury interior design elements that are not usually found in usual interior design services:
- The “Master Idea” or “Spirit” of the space which will often have a deep philosophical meaning,
- Artistic freehand sketches of the concept,
- In-depth research followed by tailoring the space – especially for the new owner,
- Extraordinary attention to detail,
- The highest level of delivery – installation and turn-key service of fully equipped home,
- Experiences not present in usual homes (pool, spa, bowling alley, wine cellar),
- A budget that allows most dreams to become reality.
The Unique Way of Life
Everyone is unique and they want to show it. A good interior designer listens and understands how the client wants to live. It is especially prominent in the hi-end sector where people want to embrace their passions and adjust the interior design to suit their lifestyle.
Imagine an art collector, a pilot and avid chef in one room, each of these people will have different priorities and will imagine a perfect house differently. My job would be to do an in-depth research of client’s passions and translate it into a creative design that will make them feel perfect in their new home.
Luxury Interior Design is about Experiences
The new generation of the super wealthy are looking for unique experiences to benefit their lifestyle. The millennial generation, for example, will expect the interior designer to find out exactly which kind of experiences they require.
There isn’t a one-fits-all solution. One person will love the idea of a vintage car cinema in the bedroom but the other will prefer a desert-like space for yoga or a dining experience under a huge aquarium. For some people a beautiful luxury bathroom will be the most important part of the house.
We can’t forget the most important experience – the one when you walk into the room and feel relaxed. When the design is based on the harmony of shapes, colours and proportions – it always feels right due to the synergy of the senses: sight, touch and sound.
Less is More – A Luxury Interior Design Trick
Don’t you think that showy and over-designed interiors are the thing of the past? I certainly do!
True modern luxury is understated and not ostentatious.
It’s an art of limiting yourself to using only the most necessary elements despite having a big budget. A lot of designers fall into the trap of specifying the most expensive, over-designed products and materials, simply because they can.
I’m a big fan of minimalism and harmony in my luxury interior design projects. For me, less is indeed more. If you’re interested in this topic feel free to explore my blog where I write about it quite a bit.
Interior Details Similar to a Haute Couture Dress
Fashion and Interior Design have a few similarities. It’s all about the quality of the materials, great creativity of the designer, “house style” but most of all: details, details, details.
I always start with a general concept idea for the entire space, slowly working my way through each area and finally finishing the project by designing each detail in a meticulous way. It ensures that the project has its integrity and the design spirit is shown even in the smallest detail – just like a Chanel dress or a Louis Vuitton bag. I love the haute couture approach.
“Luxury is in each detail. ” Hubert de Givenchy
Natural Materials and Sustainability
One of my favourite stages of the luxury interior design process is selecting the colours, textures and materials. Combining different finishes can be very rewarding when you find new interesting combinations that complement each other – stone and metal, fabric and wood as examples. Having a big budget can encourage some designers to overuse it though….
That’s why it’s important to think of sustainability and use reclaimed materials where possible. Recent trends like – the use of reclaimed wood, can be very rewarding. It adds some unique character with a layer of historical importance.
Letting Nature and the Natural Light In
The biggest luxury? Making the most out of what’s given for free – nature and natural light. It’s important to look around the building site during the preliminary stage and notice where the sun is and where it would move around during the day. It helps during the planning stage; especially where to put the dining/living spaces for full appreciation. The most expensive of materials will not look as beautiful as when the sun rays are on it.
I always work very closely with the architect. We’ll sometimes move around walls to introduce part of the garden inside – making sure the most natural asset is part of the home.
Home Design – The Owner’s Business Card
A well designed interior also plays a great role in the family’s social life. The clients usually have important responsibilities therefore the interiors should be suited for social engagements/receiving guests.
The interior design should be the owner’s business card, showing off their best side with an intended positive effect.
Artistic Conceptual Sketches
Working as a Luxury Interior Designer means also being an artist. During the process I produce countless sketches to see the space and understand it better when creating it from scratch.
A magical moment happens when the pencil touches the paper – the sky is the limit and anything can be imagined. It’s a freeing experience that boosts my creativity. Such an artisan way of working gives each project a true unique touch and authenticity.
Hi-End but Discreet Technology
We’re surrounded by technology that makes our life easier but we don’t want to feel overwhelmed by it. Clients no longer want to live in a house that looks ostentatious because of highly visible hi-tech equipment. The technology should be present but hidden in a clever way. The point of the hi-end technology is to create the experience not to show the actual device.
Conclusion
The luxury interior design is a creative process led by an experienced interior designer. It relates very closely to the client’s unique way of life and puts experiences first. It embraces the true joy of living and the beauty of surrounding nature/vibrant city landscape.
Every element of the interior design puzzle is important, from the functional layout to the choice of the kitchen tap. It doesn’t rely on ready-made solutions – it explores new ideas instead. It’s also about finding unique pieces or using reclaimed materials to stay sustainable and add authenticity.
The essence of the hi-end interior design is the right balance between forms, proportions, colours and textures. The rule “less is more” is extremely important. Sometimes it takes hundreds of sketches and sleepless nights to achieve the balanced design.
That’s why when you walk in to an amazingly beautiful interior, you’ll instantly know you’re looking at a work of art.
What is your favourite element of the luxury interior design?
What kind of unique experiences would make your home perfect?
