Interior design has been the cornerstone of creativity, productivity, and the overarching integration of humanity into homes, businesses, public works, and anywhere else you can think of that has an “inside”. At its core, interior design focuses on the individual, and then the collective, as a methodical means of promoting what makes us human.
Luxury interior design is a more opulent approach meant to strategically and thematically promote the individual in an almost hyper-sensual manner. Every last detail that can be rendered by the senses must be accounted for. Vision, fragrance, sound, physical feel, and certain contexts demand taste also be considered. All of which culminate into an impactful and inspiring design.
The creative methodology to achieve luxury interior design that is impactful and inspiring is what makes the best interior designers the best. The execution of creativity on a custom space is no small challenge. Designing a smooth flow with an opulent feel around the client’s vision is the conclusive obstacle between interior design flash-in-the-pan trend chasing, and the formation of a thematic statement that achieves its intended impact. Luxury interior design is not summed up by a set of rules, but by inspiring this impact.
What would design inspire if material cost wasn’t a factor?
Gazing into the human psyche is the initial step to answering that question.
History is rife with luxury interior design. The minds of our ancestors and great thinkers of the past used design to promote their humanity.
The ancient Romans were prominent utilitarians of luxurious interior design. Their homes were infused with vibrant mosaic backsplashes, towering pillars and columns, tasteful marble accents, ornate geometric patterns, and some even incorporated modern tastes like interior courtyards.
Public works and common areas utilized an open-source approach on luxury design. Archways were used in the aqueducts that ran water to the citizenry. Temples, libraries, and markets are renowned for their looming columns, many of which are preserved ruins today and are the symbol of ancient Rome.
A common theme in the approach to Roman architecture as a whole was that if one could build, they shall be free to do so. There was an overwhelming emphasis within Roman culture to promote the artfulness of architecture, representative of Roman sentiment in regard to the human spirit. One of the few known architects of Rome, but the most respected, was Vitruvius. In his words, the guidelines for Roman architecture were, ‘All buildings must be executed in such a way as to take account of durability, utility and beauty.’ (From Chapter 3, Book 1, On Architecture)
Modern guidelines for design are swamped with bureaucracy, codes, addendums, rules, and exemptions. Just take a look at modern commercial real estate, of which the majority is utterly hideous. Why would the Romans strictly adhere to enforcing beauty as a staple guideline?
Inherently fusing luxury, artfulness, and design together made Rome the mecca of architectural inspiration. Promoting beauty promoted the wellbeing of any participant within the design of the architecture. The Romans were so strict about design guidelines- which lended itself to making them absolutely excellent at design- that modern societies have been entranced by their achievements.
Current standards for these guidelines are subpar, at best. At worst, just take a look around. The Romans understood the connection of set and setting, designing around humans instead of the other way around. In comparison, a strong argument can be made that our predecessors within Rome were eons ahead of many financiers, policymakers, and builders of today. One of the great, unspoken tragedies of modernity is the outright absence of beauty within public and commercial architecture.
Illustrating this tragedy in comparison to the momentousness of luxury design emphasizes its crucial benefits. Connection, spiritual inspiration, artfulness, creativity, beauty. All of these are bolstered by the fact that the world lacks so much of it today.
Modern design can be swayed by trends that are merely temporary, or by outdated corporate bottom lines that need filling by selling products. Trends come and go, corporate products lack craftsmanship and soul. Achieving a modern luxury design isn’t inherently an endeavor of expense, it is a journey to dive deep into the exploration of possibility.
Quality is necessary to stave off the allure of trends and gimmicks, and helps avoid pitfalls within a corporation’s product line (corporations spend a lot of money brainwashing you into thinking they care about you, they don’t). Experiencing the design is more important than displaying the status of the design. It doesn’t matter how much the vision of the design cost to fulfill, a design not capable of evoking an experiential setting is unfulfilling and worth far less than whatever it cost. The design should feel correct for the context in which the design exists. This appropriate feel is what makes or breaks successful design, and promotes its impact.
Correct feel in modern spaces requires balance and harmony. Screens, technology, and wires pervade space and are atrociously artificial. Diluting this invasive artifice requires the use of nature within a space. Metal and wood, placed and emphasized correctly can diminish the invasive nature of technology.
Aside from natural finishes traditionally sought after in luxury interior design, a fresh alternative is the introduction of natural fine art. Crystals and gemstones evoke a curiosity other materials simply have no ability to evoke. The unique formation of these stones, their properties, and their aesthetic promote a genuine exclusivity and rarity. No two pieces are alike, no two specimens evoke the same emotion. Each one resonates with its owner in a special bond, deeply rooted in the psyche of the individual.
Cultural taste has finally caught up to the opulence offered by crystals. Unfortunately, the market as a whole is muddled with fake, artificial, or low-grade stones. They lack authenticity, and therefore render themselves obsolete in attaining any clout within the realm of luxury interior design.
Achieving true luxury design would make the focal point of procurement the attainment of high grade crystals that have impact. The feel of the stone is affected by a myriad of factors such as type, coloration, properties, size, shape, dimensions, even the crystal’s first impression upon an individual. Correctly matchmaking a crystal to an individual or a specific setting makes the difference between design with impact and collecting a stone.
Gaea Rare is the only player on the field with the ability to curate and procure stones that are capable of making an impact. Looking for that special bond to elevate your luxury tastes and design?
Visit gaearare.com and explore your creativity.