Quiet Luxury
The design trend that shouts understatement
In a fashion sense, “quiet luxury” is expressed in a preference for low-key, high-quality materials and craftsmanship over loud logos or trendy throwaway pieces. This mindset carries through to homes, where consumers have embraced the appeal of timeless materials, natural influences and the pared-down elegance characterized by a hushed but nuanced neutral palette.
See the inspiring ways designers have captured the calm and serene settings engendered by the quiet luxury movement:
INVITING ENTRY
Design by Caitlin Kah | Photo by Carmel Brantley
“A vintage tonal rug brings character into this light-filled new build,” says designer Caitlin Kah of Caitlin Kah Interiors. The all-white space is given depth through the varying wood, a luxurious- yet understated-chandelier and a floral centerpiece, she says.
CALMING KITCHENS
Design by Kate Marker | Photo by Stoffer Photography Interiors
“Expansive marble surfaces and authentic natural white oak showcase nature’s elements in this warm yet minimal kitchen,” says designer Kate Marker, principal designer and owner of Kate Marker Interiors. “Sculptural pendants and warm brass hardware also complement this airy and sun-filled space.”
Design by Christopher Peacock | Photo by Eric Roseff
Christopher Peacock, founder and CEO of Christopher Peacock Cabinetry, a luxury brand with showrooms in Short Hills and elsewhere, subscribes to the adage that “less is more, especially in rooms that house a lot of cabinetry.” This kitchen, which features cabinetry from his line, is an example. “‘Sophistication’ and ‘timeless’ are words that get used a lot in design, and if that is the goal, using tone-on-tone color palettes and keeping it simple allows the room to breathe visually, and then the user can notice the subtle details.”
FINE DINING & LIVING AREAS
Design by Yelena Gerts | Photo by Marco Ricca
Designer Yelena Gerts, principal designer and owner of House of Style & Design in Holmdel created the feel of “everyday luxury” for a young family with four children in Colts Neck. In the mostly monochromatic dining room, dressed in elegant and understated white velvet drapes, “stunning crystal chandeliers became the artwork in the room,” Gerts says. Besides the mahogany table and chairs, other furniture and accessories were deliberately kept to a minimum.
Design by Caitlin Kah | Photo by Carmel Brantley
“Light, airy sheer curtains, a delicate neutral palette, and various materials and textures come together in this functional living room to soften the space,” says designer Caitlin Kah of Caitlin Kah Interiors.
Design by Purple Cherry Architects | Photo by Durston Saylor
“A highly edited curation of warm-wood furnishings feels right at home among the artful architecture of this elegant estate,” says Cathy Purple Cherry, founder and principal of Purple Cherry Architects. “While the furniture and light fixtures exude an easy elegance, the painstaking level of detail seen in the windows, arched ceiling and curved banquette are the epitome of low-key but refined luxury.” www.purplecherry.com.
Tile by Artistic Tile | Photo courtesy of Artistic Tile
“The inherent variation of natural stone and translucent glass are timeless materials that naturally evoke quiet luxury,” says Lauren Cherkas president and chief sales officer at Artistic Tile. “Classic shapes and motifs further enhance the timelessness, transcending trends to create a design that endures.” On this accent wall, Rosa, carved from Volakas, a Greek dolomite, captures the voluptuous feel of a rose in full bloom. The dozens of petals are graced by ultra-fine lines, like the stroke of an engraver’s pen, which adds to the seductive charm of this meeting of art and nature. Rosa Volakas White Dolomite Field Dimensional High Honed Stone.
RESTFUL RETREAT
Design by Purple Cherry Architects | Photo by David Burroughs
“Refined details, thoughtful craftsmanship and natural materials inform a pared-down approach to the interior design of this primary bedroom,” says Cathy Purple Cherry, founder and principal of Purple Cherry Architects. This allows panoramic views of the property to take center stage, “offering the ultimate (quiet) luxury.”
SOOTHING BATHS
Design by Samantha Polkow & Samantha Lax | Photo by Regan Wood
Wood tones, a standalone tub and streamlined furnishings create a simple and stylish natural aesthetic in a Saddle River, New Jersey bathroom designed by Samantha Polkow, owner of Studio HB, and Samantha Lax, owner of Handin Homes. Bathed in natural light, the vanity’s placement takes advantage of the illumination from the windows, which are bare except for inconspicuous roller shades. Says Polkow: “The concrete floor makes the room feel casual and lived in, while the Carrera vanity top brings in maturity and elegance.”
Design by Yelena Gerts | Photo by Marco Ricca
Wrapped in glass-beaded wallpaper, the powder room in a Monmouth County, New Jersey, residence “is the jewel of the house,” says designer Yelena Gerts, owner of House of Style & Design in Holmdel. The integrated marble sink also “mixes beautifully with the brass finishes and sconces.”
OPEN AIR RETREAT
Design by Studio McGee | Photo by Lucy Call
Nothing speaks louder than nature in this covered outdoor room, furnished with natural and all-weather materials in a neutral scheme that blends into the surroundings. Designed by www.studio-mcgee.com, the cream-toned cushions let guests sit in comfort while taking in the beauty of the landscape.