At Homes & Gardens, we’ve been drawn to a new kind of minimalism – one that feels quieter, more grounded, and enduring. Modern-monastery style celebrates a home that is calm and considered, where beauty emerges from simplicity and materials are appreciated in their most honest form.
For this aesthetic, Rowen & Wren offers pieces that perfectly embody a slower, more soulful way of living. This edit highlights nine of our favourite finds for a home that embraces restraint without ever feeling austere. Think tactile wood, raw ceramics, iron details, and sculptural linens – minimalist decor with depth that brings clarity and presence to a room. The emphasis is on tone, texture, and form rather than ornamentation or fleeting trends.
Together, these pieces furnish a space in a thoughtful, unshowy way. Pared back yet never plain, they exude a quiet confidence rooted in good proportions, solid materials, and considered design – a stripped back approach with enduring presence.
Our modern monastery edit: nine essentials from Rowen & Wren
This piece captures the mood of the edit perfectly: generous in scale, but softened by its linen cover and relaxed, lived-in feel. It’s the kind of chair you sink into at the end of the day, simple, tactile, monastic in its restraint but deeply inviting.
We’re slightly obsessed with this, not least because it reminds us somehow of 'A Christmas Carol' – the aged brass feels timeless, and the handle gives it that utilitarian edge we love. We’d include this in our top 10 Christmas gifts for interior buffs - thoughtful, sculptural, and quietly luxurious.
There’s something almost monastic about a simple oak bench – the humility of the material, the honesty of its construction. This one feels particularly considered, with softened edges and just enough design to give it weight and intention.
Part lighting, part sculpture, this piece feels like it could be in a centuries-old chapel or a quietly designed modern hallway. We’re drawn to it for its sense of permanence and the gentle drama it brings to a wall.
Ritual objects don’t need to be ornate, sometimes a morning cup of tea is enough. This mug, hand-formed and modest in shape, feels completely aligned with the spirit of a slower, quieter home. It’s what we’d reach for again and again.
This piece adds necessary contrast. Velvet may seem indulgent, but in slate grey and a low, solid form, it feels grounded. It plays with ideas of comfort and utility, which is very much in keeping with the modern monastery aesthetic.
Not everything has to be heavy or stark; softness has its place, too. This tablecloth is a nod to domestic quietness, to slow lunches and warm light falling on fabric. We chose it for its sense of ease and the texture it brings to a simple setting.
This wall light is discreet but architectural, its pleasing conical shape and rippled glass catch the light in a way that feels almost elemental. We like its purity of form, and the way it offers mood rather than brightness.
This chair perfectly captures the modern monastery spirit: its solid oak construction and pared-back design feel purposeful and unpretentious. We’re genuinely taken with how the clean lines and subtle curves create a piece that is both architectural and approachable. It’s rare to find furniture this disciplined yet inviting. A real beauty.
In today’s fast-paced world, these carefully curated pieces from Rowen & Wren offer a welcome sense of calm. Embracing a modern-monastery approach to living, they celebrate simplicity, quality, and quiet presence. Designed for those who value interiors that are both thoughtful and timeless, this edit encourages you to slow down, surround yourself with integrity, and craft a home that truly endures.
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