Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr might be better known for his role as Tony Stark in Iron Man, but his home is a far cry from the modernized 'Stark Mansion' in Malibu. His real home, designed by Nicolò Bini, is an aerodynamic, environmentally conscious hobbit-style house, crafted to comfort rather than shock. A serene, tranquil space, the actor's home embraces one of my favorite living room furniture trends to date – curves in interior design.
With today's emphasis on the home as an inviting family space, used for socializing and relaxing, regimented rows, straight lines and clinical design can look a little stark (excuse the pun) and cold. Therefore, using curved lines within a home offers a wealth of benefits, including the potential to add flow and dynamism. Full-on voluptuous or gently rounded, curves will lift a living room layout and soften the overall look of your room, adding a bold design focus or a subtle touch of shaping to your décor. A design trick that Robert Downey Jr has mastered in his family living room.
So why are curves such big news for 2024? The answer lies in their organic shaping. Curvaceous and cylindrical styles reemerged in the world of interior design a few years ago, and they are coming to a climax this year; from sectional sofas to armchairs and coffee table decor ideas.
For 2024, curved furniture is leaning more into biophilic and biomorphic influences, as we crave that grounding, indoor-outdoor connection in our homes, with these organic shapes promoting an energy of softness and calmness,' says Joshua Smith principal and founder of Joshua Smith Inc.
Biophilic design is the theory that humans have an innate connection to nature, and creating built environments that connect to the natural world measurably improves health and well-being. It has a set of clear principles, one of which is to use natural materials, shapes and colors to curate a space.
The experts at ethical home retailer, The Citizenry, also support this interior design trend and have said that in 2024, nature-inspired spaces are here to stay. Homeowners want to create a sense of escapism through landscape-inspired forms. We expect to see an increased appetite for decorating with earthy tones, organic shapes, and natural textures especially those grounded in sustainability.'
With projects on both coasts, Joshua Smith offers full-service residential interior design. A graduate of the New York School of Interior Design, he later went on to join Steven Gambrel, a globally influential interior design firm, before creating his own design firm in 2013.
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