EXEMPLAR SWINGS IN LUXURY HOMES
Luxury homes are more often than not located in the most desirable neighbourhoods and have the best amenities. Their interiors though lavish are understated as the true luxury lies in the richness of materials, aesthetics of the space, elegance of the objects and most importantly great comfort. Sharing similar sentiments Divya Singhal, Principal Architect & Founder of Vasundhara Design Yard stated that luxury in home design is characterized by elegance, comfort, and opulence. She added, “Key elements include the use of high-quality materials like marble and hardwood, spacious layouts with open floor plans and high ceilings, attention to detail through custom features, top-of-the-line appliances and smart home technology, luxurious bathrooms with premium fixtures, well-designed outdoor living spaces, privacy and security measures, wellness and leisure amenities, desirable locations and views, and integration with the surroundings. Ultimately, luxury home design aims to create a personalized and refined space that reflects the owner's style and offers a high standard of living.” Shubhra Dahiya, Partner, team3 believes the quality of space is what defines luxury when designing a home. “The conventional idea of opulence, once associated with the richness of materials used, is now evolving. It is now more about well-being. It is now epitomised by blurring transitions between indoors and outdoors and having balconies, terraces, and biophilic elements to enjoy the richness of nature. In the multi-storied urban fabric that we reside in, having large fenestrations for ample natural light to seep in is a luxurious rarity. The ultimate luxury is to find happiness and a sense of belonging at home,” she said. As per Ar. Ashish Batra Founder & Principal Designer, Uniifyy in the realm of luxury homes and interiors, there has been a significant shift towards a new paradigm that embraces opulence while being environmentally conscious. “This emerging trend reflects a growing awareness among homeowners and designers about the importance of sustainability and responsible consumption,” he stated. “When designing a home, luxury can be defined by several key elements that contribute to an opulent and refined living experience. First and foremost, luxury is often associated with high-quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship, showcasing impeccable attention to detail. It involves the use of premium finishes, such as marble, hardwood, or custom-made elements that exude elegance and sophistication,” added Ar. Kavita Batra, Founder & Principal Designer, Uniifyy. “Luxury home design entails the convergence of various elements that surpasses mere opulence, says Ar. Rajkumar Kumawat, Founder & Principal Architect of Design Square Architects. Expressing his views he said, “The fusion of impeccable craftsmanship, deliberate layouts, generous natural illumination, and purposeful design culminates in an elevated living experience. Moreover, integrating seamless indoor-outdoor connections, bespoke elements, and advanced technological features enriches the overall ambience. Artfully harmonizing these facets creates a luxurious aura of comfort, refinement, and timeless fascination, its residents with an exquisitely exclusive and immensely satisfying living milieu.” ENHANCING THE LUXURY QUOTIENT Luxury is about being unique, about letting the interior design reflect your personality. Accent pieces and bespoke furniture play a significant role in enhancing the luxury of a space. The interesting eye-catching pieces play a vital role in enhancing the luxury factor of a space, infusing it with elegance, sophistication, and personal flair. Through the utilization of sumptuous materials, distinctive and innovative designs, and meticulous attention to detail, the luxurious ambiance is further intensified. By incorporating exquisite materials, captivating designs, and an aura of exclusivity, bespoke furniture elevates the luxury experience, fostering an ambience of refined elegance within luxury interiors. Shubhra Dahiya commented, “The element of luxury for a space is now more experimental, where designers and architects are thinking beyond tested material palettes for adding grandeur to a space. Luxury is now associated with reflecting one’s cultural heritage to create a subtle association for inculcating a sense of belonging. Accent pieces like vintage chairs, mulberry silk rugs, bespoke chandeliers or heritage consoles can enhance the décor by resonating with one’s roots. These are conversation starters and give a unique touch of tradition to modern interiors. Bespoke furniture plays a vital role in curating a spatial environment customised to one’s aspirations. They help in building a narrative which is intimate, comfortable, yet exclusive to the user. Designed to the minutest detail, it should cater to all needs.” Ar. Kavita Batra agreed “The thoughtfully selected accessories and decorative items serve as focal points, capturing attention and elevating the overall aesthetic appeal of the room. Statement furniture pieces like intricately designed chaise lounges or plush velvet armchairs establish an ambiance of opulence. Artwork and sculptures introduce a cultural and artistic dimension, while sumptuous textiles such as silk or velvet drapes and plush rugs impart comfort and refinement. Ornate lighting fixtures, decorative mirrors, and unique objects contribute a touch of glamour and individuality.” Speaking about customised furniture Ar. Ashish Batra mentioned that designers highly prefer customised bespoke furniture for luxury interiors as it allows them to create unique and exclusive designs that perfectly fit the space, seamlessly integrating with the overall design concept. “The use of high-quality craftsmanship and materials ensures exceptional quality and longevity. With customised bespoke furniture, clients have the opportunity to personalise their pieces, match with decor expressing their individual style and preferences. This level of customization enables designers to coordinate the furniture with other design elements, resulting in a cohesive and harmonious space.” Ar. Rajkumar Kumawat concurred, “As architects and designers, our inclination towards bespoke furniture in luxury interiors stems from its distinctive merits, including exclusive designs, impeccable craftsmanship, seamless integration, customisable features, and versatile adaptability. Bespoke furniture serves as a reflection of our clients' individual tastes, seamlessly blending with the overarching design concept while fulfilling specific functional and spatial demands. The inclusion of accent pieces assumes a crucial role in enhancing the inherent luxury of a space. “These selectively curated elements serve to imbue the design with elegance, visual allure, and refined sophistication. By commanding attention as focal points, they contribute to the pervasive sense of opulence permeating the environment. They engender contrast, drama, and personalized expression, while their astute layering and compositional arrangement confer depth and dimension upon the space. In summary, the deliberate inclusion of these thoughtfully curated elements augments the allure of the space, fostering an enchanting and exclusive atmosphere that amplifies the overall sense of luxury.” Divya Singhal shared, “Decorative elements by add visual interest by incorporating high-quality materials and finishes, introducing contrast and texture, showcasing bold colors and patterns, establishing scale and proportion, enhancing lighting and reflection, and by reflecting personal expression. They contribute to the overall ambiance, creating a sense of refinement and exclusivity. Careful selection and placement of accent pieces can elevate the luxury quotient of a room without overwhelming the space. Customized bespoke furniture is preferred by designers for luxury interiors because it offers uniqueness, exclusivity, perfect fit, high-quality craftsmanship, personalization, design flexibility, and investment value. It enables designers to create truly remarkable and individualized spaces that exude luxury and sophistication.” HOW GREEN IS MY LUXURY Yes, luxury and sustainability can coexist. The notion that luxury is synonymous with excessive consumption and environmental disregard is evolving. By combining luxury and sustainability in architecture, it is possible to create stunning, environmentally responsible structures that offer a high-end living experience while minimising their ecological footprint. Ar. Ashish Batra and Ar. Kavita Batra both were of the view that luxury and sustainability can certainly go hand in hand in architecture. “In fact, there is a growing movement towards sustainable luxury architecture, where eco-conscious design principles are integrated with high-end aesthetics and luxurious features. Architects and designers are increasingly incorporating sustainable materials, energy-efficient systems, and environmentally friendly practices into the design and construction of luxury buildings. This includes the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and geothermal systems, as well as sustainable building materials like recycled wood, reclaimed materials, and low-emission products. Additionally, sustainable luxury architecture often prioritises natural lighting, passive cooling and heating techniques, and efficient water management systems,’ they expressed. As per Divya Singhal by embracing ethical sourcing, eco-friendly practices, durable craftsmanship, and conscious consumerism, luxury brands can create high-end products while minimizing their environmental impact. The growing demand for sustainable luxury is driving positive change in the industry. “Absolutely! Luxury and sustainability can indeed go hand in hand,” states Ar. Rajkumar Kumawat. “Today, there is a growing recognition that sustainable practices and luxurious experiences can coexist harmoniously. By incorporating eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable design principles, luxury can embrace a responsible approach. From renewable energy sources to green building materials and innovative conservation strategies, sustainability can enhance the quality, longevity, and exclusivity of luxury. By integrating ethical and environmentally conscious practices, luxury can be redefined to prioritize both opulence and sustainability, creating a more responsible and fulfilling lifestyle,” he added. Shubhra Dahiya concurred that with the increased awareness about the impact of materials used for interior design on our environment, most luxury brands are promoting sustainable products that have longevity and are eco-friendly. “This means sourcing locally sourced or reclaimed materials which don’t contain harsh chemicals and encouraging healthy textiles like linen, silk, cotton, wool etc. Labels that use sustainable fabrics that don’t add to landfills, age gracefully, are sourced ethically and have a long life are redefining luxury in home décor,” she stated. TOP TRENDS IN LUXURY INTERIORS The designers shared similar opinion on the latest trends that are prevalent this year and by embracing these trends, one can create a stylish and personalized luxury interior that prioritizes sustainability, natural elements, and individuality. Sustainable Materials: The growing embrace of sustainability by luxury brands is evident in interior design. Sustainable materials like recycled wood and bamboo are gaining popularity, and there is an increasing demand for energy-efficient appliances and lighting solutions. Sustainable materials, such as bamboo, and cork, are gaining popularity due to their environmentally friendly nature and stylish appeal. There is a rising focus on eco-friendly and ethical materials like reclaimed wood, recycled fabrics, and natural fibres. Biophilic Design: This design approach has been proven to offer numerous benefits, including stress reduction, improved air quality, and increased productivity. By incorporating biophilic design principles, luxury homes interiors create a harmonious connection with nature, enhancing the overall well-being and liveability of the space. Using materials inspired by and taken from nature like wood, stone, and greens used at different scales of décor for accessorising. Biophilic design is a prevalent trend in luxury interiors and mostly involves natural elements like plants, natural light, and water features as well as incorporating elements of nature, such as living walls, natural light, and indoor plants, to create a harmonious and calming environment. Maximalism: Bold and eclectic designs, mixing patterns, textures, and colors create a rich and luxurious atmosphere. Statement Ceilings with unique and eye-catching ceiling designs, including intricate moldings, textured finishes, and artistic installations are in trend. Statement lighting offers a way to infuse personality and style into a space without overwhelming it. While, comfortable furniture, made with high-quality materials, strikes a balance between style and comfort. A luxurious play of gold inlay work in furniture design or modern curvilinear elements adds glamour. Flexible spaces: As people's needs for space change, so too is the design of luxury homes. More and more homes are being designed with flexible spaces that can be adapted for different uses. This could mean having a living room that can be converted into a home office or a bedroom that can be used for guests. Personalization: Luxurious homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to personalise their homes. This could mean incorporating their own unique style or reflecting their interests and hobbies in the design. Personalization can be achieved through things like custom-made furniture, artwork, and lighting. Personalized touches, such as artwork and photographs, add a unique touch to luxury homes. Technology: Technology is playing an increasingly important role in luxury interiors. From smart home systems that control everything from lighting to security to entertainment, technology is making homes more comfortable, convenient, and secure. Smart Home Technology comprises integration of advanced automation and smart features, allowing control over lighting, temperature, and entertainment systems with ease. Quiet luxury- Interior design which is subtle, bespoke and intimate creates a comfortable aura in the house. It can be in the form of neutral or soft backgrounds interspersed with bespoke art deco pieces. Our country is gifted with a rich heritage of traditional craft, and using local craftsmanship is a great way to showcase the luxury and richness in one’s home. Luxury is veering towards sophistication and materials that provide relaxation and happiness. Luxury living is no more just about opulence, but also about celebrating nature and authenticity through artisanal, vintage objects and quiet, neutral palette. The easily recycled and upcycled materials and pieces are finding their place in luxury design as part of a bigger movement towards more sustainable means.
Tags : swings luxury homes high price tag space high-end amenities infusion nature designers neighbourhoods interiors materials aesthetics objects Divya Singhal Principal Architect & Founder of Vasundhara Design Yard Ashish Batra Founder & Principal Designer Uniifyy Kavita Batra Founder & Principal Designer Uniifyy Rajkumar Kumawat Founder & Principal Architect of Design Square Architects