CELEBRATING MAXIMALISM
How to do more with more
Throughout the ages it’s always been a tug of war — the clean lines of austerity versus the sumptuous lavish adornments of extravagance. But these days the more-ismore design repartee of maximalism seems to be all the rage, even the kingpin of minimalist furniture design, IKEA, has devoted a few catalogue pages to its ideation.
But this new rendition of maximalism isn’t the visual cacophony that you would find in your great grandmother’s front parlour.
“Although we may want to steal some of Grandma’s pieces to add to the look, the whole trend is really a way of celebrating our design freedom — to mix patterns, styles, and periods, as well as to celebrate our individuality,” says designer and entrepreneur Amanda Forrest, a Marilyn Denis Show regular.
Spinning the less-is-less concept of minimalism on its head, maximalism is all about adding more rather than less to a room. But unlike in times gone by, the new reboot of maximalism isn’t chaotic or haphazard.
“It’s about creating an overall vision with lots of balance,” says Calgary designer Amanda Hamilton of Amanda Hamilton Interior Design.
She recently curated a fourroom homage to the trend at the 2018 Calgary Fall Home Show. Inspired by her travels, the design explored texture, colour, patterns and the concepts of layering and repetition — all key elements of maximalism.
Both Forrest and Hamilton agree that creating maximalist chic is a very personal experience.
“Diversity in fashion has transcended into interior design and the sky is the limit when it comes to adding our own stamp on our spaces. Start small if you aren’t sure how much is too much for you — a guest room or entry works well,” suggests Forrest.
Or, if you are feeling adventurous, go big and start in the living room with layers of visual eye candy, with different patterns, textures, and hues all adding to the sizzle.
“It can be a very sophisticated approach. So if you have really beautiful and detailed floral wallpaper, pull out a colour and use it on your sofa and then layer on the pillows in various hues of the wallpaper, so that you get sweeping colour,” says Hamilton. She even suggests hanging colourful artwork that juxtaposes with the wallpaper, say, a contemporary abstract against a busy floral backdrop.
“It adds lots of interest,” says Hamilton.
And even if the backdrop is simply set with a neutral palette, these days our hearts still feel best with a curated melange of meaningful bric-a-brac within sight.
“I think that we are craving things with a more curated or hand-crafted look to them. It doesn’t mean that we have to have a house full of tchotchkes, but we have come to appreciate artisanal items, one-of-a-kind items that bring personality into our space,” says Forrest.
There is an art, however, to showcasing treasures and artwork and it starts with repetition.
“It is a big element in communicating an overall esthetic and gives you the more-is-more, cosy, livedin esthetic without just having junk everywhere,” says Hamilton.
“For me, I would say that I am a minimalist. I don’t like to have a lot of things around. But that said, I have no problem showcasing the things that I love.”
Her vinyl collection and her books come to mind. “They are conversation starters. I don’t want to have those things behind closed doors, because they say something about me.”
Hamilton suggests really digging in to what you are passionate about and then using repetition to showcase them in a feature niche or along a shelf. “That way people can see them in relationship to one another, rather than having them scattered about.”
When it comes to art, juxtapose styles — hang a charcoal sketch, a colourful abstract piece and a more traditional work of realism or landscape together in a wall of art.
“Most art lovers have a very eclectic collection, which can be really fun to put together,” says Hamilton.
And don’t overlook the power of framing. Consider highlighting a traditional piece with a very modern frame and vice versa.
“It can change the entire look,” says Hamilton.