Money talks, wealth whispers.” That aphorism could now be considered the manifesto of the quiet luxury aesthetic. Whether it started to build after we all binge-watched Succession or grew from the runway shows of Loro Piana, Bottega Veneta, and Gabriela Hearst, the buzz around quiet luxury is getting louder and louder. While the concept of quiet luxury can’t be categorized as a new design trend (the desire to celebrate the finer things in life, with no logos in sight, has been around for ages), it’s all anyone can talk about. But what does it mean for the home? And more importantly, how can it be achieved (trust fund or not)?
Shea McGee of Studio McGee explains, “Quiet luxury is about subtleties and elevated materials, letting the quality be the defining element of the room versus a particular style or aesthetic.”
Kate Marker of Kate Marker Interiors and Kate Marker Home agrees, “It’s all about valuing and investing in high-quality materials that will have long-term appeal and defy trends—it is authentic yet understated.”
This summer, quiet luxury snuck up on louder trends like Barbiecore and coastal grandmother, in a stealthy but successful takeover that applauds aesthetics that are consistent throughout the decades. There is a pull to return to the days where quality was prioritized over the fleeting trends that come and go. As House Beautiful‘s Next Wave designer, DuVäl Reynolds puts it, “Quiet luxury refers to a more intimate approach to our experience with possessions, meaning, our personal interest outweighs public approval.” In other words, no one wants to be that Bridget with the ludicrously capacious bag.
To achieve this look, DuVäl advises, “Clients can focus more on the quality and craftsmanship of furniture and decor, rather than price point and ease of accessibility.”
Short answer? No. “It is unpretentious yet highly considered to create something truly special, rather than minimal design which tends to be sparing. Quiet luxury has all the components of a layered and thought-out home without feeling overly done or cluttered,” says Brittany Hakimfar of Far Studio.
Treading between minimalism and maximalism, quiet luxury proves that simplicity takes true skill. Balance and restraint are key. “Paring down and editing can be one of the hardest parts of design; it requires just as much work to refine selections and focus on subtleties as it does to go maximal,” McGee explains.
Interior designer, Kate Lester agrees, “Quiet luxury is more about the thought process behind the selection of each piece. It’s about who made the pieces, and how and where they are made.”
If you’re thinking, “This trend is all well and good—if you’re a millionaire,” rest assured that quiet luxury is more provenance than price point. Here’s how to get the look:
• Choose custom and personalized rather than clicking on the same item all your friends also picked out. You can do this on a budget by scouring flea markets and thrift stores.
• Go old, not bold. Our experts suggest shopping vintage, leaning into the thrill of searching high and low for a precious piece you can keep in your home for a lifetime.
• Invest in art you love. It doesn’t have to be pricey, just something you want to look at for decades. Lester suggests incorporating a gallery wall into your space; he loves creating these with original artwork and items the client collected throughout the years. “One-of-a-kind and bespoke items are key—and pieces that tell a story or spark a conversation,” Lester states, even if it’s one carried on in hushed tones.
originally published on housebeautiful.com