The new minimalism
Soft minimalism isn’t about living in a sterile white-on-white room. Alana Broadhead explores the options.
It’s modern and minimal, but this look isn’t about living in a sterile, white-on-white room with only two pieces of furniture. Soft minimalism is warmer and more liveable than that. It is clean and contemporary, but not cold or austere. More a movement than a design trend, it’s been described as the intentional promotion of the things we most value, and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.
Clean canvas
Soft minimalism starts with light, plain neutrals as a base. Choose simple painted walls in white or one of the ‘‘new neutrals’’ – mist grey, sand, or beige for example. Yes, really, beige. It’s no longer an interior swear word.
Layer for warmth
When it comes to your walls, floors and furniture, think clean modern lines and simple decorating. Avoid the visual noise of patterns or swathes of bright colour. Then introduce some tone-complementing colour, rounded or organic shapes, natural materials (timber, ceramics, or linen, for example) and texture – to soften the look, and add personality and heart to a space. Don’t over-accessorise.
Practical or pretty?
Soft minimalism lives by the William Morris mantra: ‘‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful’’.
Buy less, but better
Soft minimalism might ask you to pare your possessions right back, but it’s also about loving what you own. You don’t need four teapots, just have one that you adore. Avoid fast trends in favour of timeless style, and choose quality, so it lasts. This is conscious consumerism for the stylish.
Elevate the everyday
Now that you only have one teapot, don’t keep it for special occasions – make every day a special occasion. Embrace the idea of everyday luxuries that make daily rituals more special, like setting the table and lighting a candle ‘‘just because you can’’, or enjoying your coffee from a stylish, handmade mug (not that nowchipped gift you haven’t got around to throwing out because of sentimental feelings).
Tidy house, tidy mind
Amidst our hectic daily lives, soft minimalism invites you to create spaces that are sanctuaries. Invest in lots of good storage, and de-clutter. When you strip back to the things youlove, it lets a room breathe, and helps create an oasis of calm.
Designer Alana Broadhead runs the popular New Zealand design blog The New and contemporary homeware store, Sunday.