Page 12 - Dainfern Precinct Living 1 2021

HOME FRONT
imperative that we truly focus on the
function we need our spaces to fill, as
well as the emotions they induce. What
is clear, is that people are prioritising
their happiness within a space, and that
casual, playful, and flexible workspaces
facilitate a sense of well-being,
creativity and therefore productivity. As
we go into 2021, comfort, happiness
and fluidity are set to be our guiding
factors as the lines between our homes
and our offices blur.

RETHINKING OWNERSHIP
Biophilia The new generation is not as materialistic
as the generations past and they are
PATTERNED TILES emergence of minimalism’s polar opposite, rethinking ownership. Kim predicts
Patterned tiles are an amazing tool when maximalism. Constructed around a ‘more that we are no longer going to have a
creating a classic retro style. They are is more’ mentality, this style uses every product-driven environment but rather
a great way to incorporate colour and element of a space as an opportunity to a service-driven one. This is likely to
there were some beautiful designs that make a statement, grab our attention, and become evident when it comes to design
came from Europe in 2020. In general, entertain our mind’s eye so that every services, such as being able to rent
designers are incorporating imperfection room becomes an experience rather than furniture and rotate it out as the seasons
into their designs as they embrace the just a room. It’s a powerful style, full of and styles change, rather than having
beauty of hand-crafted items, and this new colour, pattern and boldness, and it is to buy and keep pieces. It will also be
appreciation of imperfection has resulted certainly interesting that we have seen the a way of embracing a more sustainable
in more use of handmade ceramic tiles. simultaneous emergence of both sides recycling perspective.
One’s need to connect on a human level of the spectrum. Kim believes that this is
with one’s imperfections is more important because, as individuals, we are becoming THE IMPORTANCE OF SILENCE
now than it has ever been, given the surge more appreciative of our personal styles Another aspect of being in certain spaces
of artificial intelligence across industries. rather than simply following others’ choices. is that one becomes very aware of noise,
given all the activity that happens within
NEW MINIMALISM COLOUR the context of the home. For example,
At the beginning of the lockdown in 2020, The importance of colour is hard to understanding the impact of white noise
there was an intense decluttering process understate. It will continue to play an in a work-from-home model and how it
many of us went through and our need important role as we become more mindful affects one’s ability to work and relax.
to have less stuff and have more space of our colour selections. From very soft Even in workspaces, as one becomes
in our interiors introduced minimalism hues to create a sense of comfort and more mindful, the need for silence will
into our everyday lives again. Organic, connection, to very bright colours in play more of a role in the way spaces are
highly tactile materials that encourage us modernism, and playful living to create designed.
to engage more with specific objects in excitement. The beauty of bright reds
our homes made our spaces enriching combined with vibrant blues harnesses Looking back, the trends that stand out
environments to be in. Minimalism is built the power of contrast to create impact. By for Kim in 2020 from a design perspective
on sustainable, intentional living and an mixing and matching objects from various were intertwined with our need to recon-
emotional relationship with the home. decades, the impact is reminiscent of art nect with nature, and to find comfort,
However, the new minimalism is not deco trends and style. The use of colour beauty and engagement in our homes
sparse like its predecessor was. It’s rather will be about creating those experiences and workspaces, given that we spent the
about reducing the number of material and being very specific about how one year disconnected from each other and
things down to what is really needed. adds colour into the spaces. As a medium, the world.
Where classical minimalism was about colour is extremely powerful, and Kim
the absence of things, new minimalism hopes that we will see a lot more boldness, As we launch into an uncertain 2021,
is about choosing what to retain in a akin to what we saw in the ’80s, in 2021. our spaces will need to be designed
space which speaks to how important to provide us with many different
mindfulness is in this new style. THE NEW WORLD OF WORK sensations, such as relaxation,
In 2021 and beyond, a move towards invigoration and connection, while
MAXIMALISM self-managed schedules, limited team providing multi-faceted functionality at the
Ironically, in 2020 we also saw the meetings and smaller offices makes it same time.

Metalics Patterned tiles The New World of Work
For more about Kim Williams and to sign-up for her blog visit www.kimwilliams.co.za.
Follow Kim on Facebook and Instagram @kim_williams_design.
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