Beige interiors and stealth wealth decorating, also known as 'quiet luxury' and 'old money' style have taken over our social media feeds, fashion choices, and interior design trends this year.
Effortlessly elegant, 'stealth wealth' focuses on elevated design rather than maximalism. It prioritizes a ‘less is more' aesthetic that pays heed to timeless furniture, subtle room color ideas, and luxury materials that will stand the test of time.
The stealth wealth trend is a welcome addition to our decorating agenda for 2023 – sometimes not immediately apparent, but when you focus, its designer pedigree is notable.
The easiest way to achieve this look, as Hallworth Designs has done, is to mimic the calm colors found in nature.
'There’s a definite move towards warm minimalism, with deeper hues and rich, neutral tones – I’m seeing lots of off-whites, honey, taupe, and beige used to create cozy, inviting entrances that are still elegant and serene in their simplicity. It’s about building a sense of cohesion, so no piece of furniture or color is over-dominating the space,' says Becca Galbraith, designer and founder of Becca Interiors.
The key is to keep this look as minimal, but not cold, as possible. Source one or two statement pieces of furniture or artwork as the backbone of your room, and pull out colors and shapes for the rest of your decorating ideas.
If in any doubt, start with the flooring. In Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi's former home, the timber-beamed ceiling acts as a precursor to the colors and textures used elsewhere. Decorating with beige and taupe helps to ground the room, evoking a sense of calm and tranquility – a wonderful choice for the entrance to a home.
'Using a tonal beige color palette is all about adding depth and contrast in different layers and textures,' says Jane Landino, creative head of the studio at Taylor Howes. 'To make a 'stealth wealth' cream color palette feel designed and considered it’s important to include textural elements to stop the scheme from feeling stark or clinical.'
Owner and principal designer Becca Galbraith grew up in the English countryside, before eventually moving to the other side of the Atlantic and launching her design career in New York City. Currently based in Connecticut where she leads her interior design firm, Becca brings her style – rooted here in the UK – to homes across the US.
Shop the 'stealth wealth' decorating trend
Forget cool color schemes and clashing colors. The latest color schemes, furniture trends, and furnishing designs take inspiration from a timeless, old-money aesthetic.
