Page 27 - Dainfern Precinct Living issue 9 2022

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have been challenging us on how we
perceive people, what our contribution
to society is and how important it is
that we understand who we are and –
especially – who we are seen to be.

Interior designers are thinking
critically about a person’s experiences
of space – from sight to sound to
shape to texture – and how these
elements can be used to express
parts of their client’s personality. The
process of pulling out individualism
and combining that with trends and
how the two are put together, to
help individuals, families and brands
express themselves in interesting
ways that are meaningful to them,
will be the catalyst for many exciting
innovations in the near future.
EVOLUTION OF NOSTALGIA
EVOLUTION OF MINDFUL In part due to not being able to travel
CONNECTION in the early stages of lockdown, or
The importance of mindfulness see family, we have learned to create
is on the rise with many more better memories when we do have
people creating spaces to practise the opportunity. For a while, we were
this. “Mindfulness is amazing for not able to just grab a coffee, or pop
productivity. The sense of connection away for the weekend or have big
we gain from this practice gives us family gatherings. Now, when we do
clarity on how we think about what we have those opportunities, we feel a
are executing,” Kim says. strong desire to document them and
incorporate them into our spaces by
“We have also realised how important adding special items and photographs.
nature is to help us refresh, recharge
and heal. A connection to nature is We also see people trying to immerse
a powerful dynamic we must factor themselves in cultures that they love,
into our spaces. The emphasis on or an era that they loved, to trigger the
being conscious of our impact on memories of that wonderful holiday
nature is not going anywhere either. they had or romantic memories
EVOLUTION OF In fact, I think we will become more of a less complex world. This all
INDIVIDUALISM aware of what our design products fits perfectly with the evolution of
Individualism emerged before COVID are made from, where and how the repurposing and DIY, both of which are
and has been bolstered by it. We are raw materials are collected, where the long-standing stable trends that have
now far more attentive to expressing manufacturing takes place, and the become mainstream – as is seen with
individual aesthetics in space. Because final carbon cost the product has,” she the second-hand malls all over Europe.
of social media, younger generations adds. Repurposing gives us the opportunity
to make things our own.

“Designers are at the precipice of
assisting clients to create spaces
that set the stage where the story
of their lives plays out. Every client’s
microenvironment is a theatre and
the duty of a great designer is to
make the stage facilitate meaningful
experiences of life. With the potential
that technology carries, through the
deepening of our mindful connection,
the change in our perspective, and
the groundedness we find in our
memories, we are capable of creating
amazing spaces that are truly riveting
to experience,” she concludes.

For more insights from Kim Williams,
visit www.kimwilliams.co.za. You
can also find her on Facebook and
Instagram @kim_williams_design.

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26 DPL issue 7 2022
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