LIFESTYLE
Want a minimalist home? You can curate this look only with practice and discipline, almost akin to meditation and yoga, says architect Hiren Patel
Want a minimalist home? Curate this look with practice and discipline, almost akin to meditation and yoga
Whatnottohaveis perhaps more important than what to have, says Ahmedabad-based architect Hiren Patel, who has done everything from private residences, heritage buildings, palaces to mixed use developments. Giving advice on how to achieve a minimalist look, Patel emphasizes the aspect of ‘filtering out’ the unnecessary elements in order to create a well-balanced home.
Minimalist style is variously described as casual elegance with style where less is more. How do you define minimalism?
Minimalist is a more serious approach. It’s a conscious approach of design to filtering out elements to come up to bare minimum things which are just required and appropriate. Minimalism is a way to get your design philosophy with the use of less elements. It’s a long process of learning and slowly one becomes a master of this.
There are a variety of interpretations of minimalism. One is the Japanese Zen style with its ascetic philosophy of reducing the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, a stark contrast to materialism. What is your interpretation?
Yes, one can connect minimalism to art of Zen or practice of yoga. One gets mastery over time by constant practice. And still with every experience, one discovers new things and challenges.
What are the mustknow home style rules for the minimalist?
The objective should be to make a space which is clutter free. One should try to select a few objects which are best for that space and function. Then as an onlooker, please ask yourself this question — Will I love this space for next ten years? And if the answer is ‘yes’ then go for it.
How does a layperson achieve a minimalist style of home, any dos and don’ts?
First filter out on most of what you have done. For example if you have a two side box in bedroom, remove one and see if the functionality still works. If it does, then remove it and work on aesthetics. Once you start filtering out, and have clutter free space, you can ‘compose’. This means you have fewer elements with a space to move and rearrange and bring out the aesthetic appeal. What not to do is to avoid ‘colourful’ things.If youareatthe beginning of the minimal philosophy, it may be tough to avoid too much colour. But in minimalism, we tend to avoid too many different forms and shapes and hues.
Is it cheaper to be a minimalist? Is the upside of a minimalist home that one does away with the obligations to clean, maintain, and constantly expand one’s collection of items?
Initially it may appear to be cheaper. Then as you grow and mature in this style, you may find minimalism to be expensive. Once you become a perfectionist, you want to go for the best and not compromise. For example, on your wall you may want just one thing but the most expensive and exclusive piece of art. The theory of less is more isn’t about spending less or that cheaper is better. The focus is a lot more on the aspect of editing. Over time, one learns how to have a balanced home.