Warm minimalism has been abuzz in the interior industry this year, and similarly to quiet luxury, this simple yet refined aesthetic is surprisingly easy to achieve and doesn't always require a sizeable budget.
Unlike its colder, more clinical sister, a warm minimalist interior promises to exude more character and comfort into a clean and functional space. This was the goal of the interior design firm Clement Design, which was tasked with designing and planning the now-former home of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi. The result is a welcome, calm, and uncluttered space that embodies the quiet luxury trend.
The easiest way to achieve this look, as Clement Design has done, is to mimic nature at its finest. Inspired by colors from the natural world, warm minimalism adds a gentle and soothing touch to interiors that can be layered with textures and tones to ebb and flow with the seasons.
The key is to keep this look as simple 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 home, the dark floor acts as a precursor to the colors and tones used elsewhere. Decorating with brown 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 natural 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 warm minimalist color palette feel designed and considered it’s important to mix and match patterns and shapes, albeit neutral ones, and occasional accent colors. Just because something is beige or brown doesn’t mean it has to be plain.'
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 warm minimalist edit
Forget sharp angles and cool color schemes. The latest color schemes, furniture trends, and furnishing designs take inspiration from nature.
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