The saying goes: ‘A little of what you fancy does you good’, and nowhere is this adage more true than in the home. Carving out a corner of your personal space for what you love is becoming increasingly important, with the interiors world seeing a serious boom in the design of hobby rooms – carefully calibrated areas dedicated to specific pastimes or niche projects.
Libraries have always been popular, but listening rooms, cinema dens and games rooms are joining them on people’s wish lists (sometimes even at the expense of more traditional rooms). This form of at-home escapism is not about the generic, but the personal and particular. This month’s Focus section delves deeper into this individualised approach, to find out how you can embrace a passion project. Be warned – it might even mean ditching he television (find out how Eva Wiseman fared after doing just that).
But what if you don’t have a massive vinyl collection or the need to curl up surrounded by books? What if games nights leave you cold, and a stint in the sauna is more your idea of relaxation than watching the latest blockbuster?
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Well then, you will be pleased to discover that wellness is also in the midst of a revolution. Not only have innovations in technology made the possibility of ultimate at-home relaxation more attainable, but designers are looking at new ways to interpret spa style. Rather than simple sanctuaries only focused on Zen colours, wafty curtains and the odd gong bath, you can now expect the unexpected. As Studio Snoop founder Amanda Talbot expresses so perfectly in our piece investigating the trend: ‘Calm doesn’t look the same for everyone.’ It, like everything else in life, is a question of personal taste.
Myself, I am very opposed to the term ‘bad taste’. Consider me a non-judgemental interiors sounding board. That said, there are some decorating styles that are more likely than others to elicit a negative reaction, whoever you ask.
I can almost picture some of the faces being pulled at me, for instance, when I assert that avocado bathrooms are making a comeback.
But bear with me, and buckle up, because it’s not just that. We’re also seeing a rise in colourful carpets (on walls and furniture, not just floors), swag curtains, exaggerated ruffles, moiré and animal print. It’s official (even Pinterest has confirmed it): the age of decadence is back, with 1980s-influenced ideas of luxury in the ascendancy.
So, whether you want to indulge your hobbies or are tempted by a more indulgent approach to design, we are here to help you make that leap. After all, modern life can be stressful, but perhaps the best solution is to lean into what makes you happy. You could call it bad taste if you want to; we’re calling it potential joy. And we all need more of that!
