As this issue goes to print, we will be heading indoors after a summer that was unlike any other in recent history. Now more than ever there is a desire to stay home, nest, and make your home warm, cozy and comfortable. Currently, I am working on homes in Southern Oregon and California. My work ranges from working side by side with architects and builders from the ground up, to existing homes that need a refresh. The directions that homes are heading in terms of design is beautiful, artful and very new.
There is a huge demand now for people wanting to update and create a home that functions for work time, family time, and study time. An interesting trend that has emerged is curves. The sharp angles and squared off corners for upholstery and seating is giving way to very soft, gently curved, but still tailored lines when it comes to furnishings. Swapping out big, boxy sofas for a more circular shape will instantly give your space new energy. Curvy furniture has a great balance of modern and feminine, which feels just right when we are all home a bit more these days. The new energy isn’t entirely aesthetic either. Studies have shown that curvy furniture evokes feelings of relaxation and hope over the sharp, hardline alternatives.
Curvy shapes also allow for intimate and cozier conversations. We all know the feeling of being at a gathering where you are unsure of where to sit to converse...either twisting your back uncomfortably to have a conversation on a sofa, or feeling too far apart in the room to hear!
Our best-selling chairs have always been swivels and this it true now more than ever. The new swivels have sloping arms, they can have channel backs, or contrast piping details which add to the rhythm. There is also an interesting contrast that can occur if you are designing a home with large, angular windows and walls; the juxtaposition of some curves into a modern or traditional space can add warmth and interest keep things a bit more unexpected. This is also a trait I enjoy. Homes should always have a sense of surprise and delight and adding in a new curve can be just what you need to refresh your space.
So, if you are wandering your home, thinking about a cool way to update, consider some curves. You cannot go wrong adding more comfort, coziness, and warmth to your home.