SALM TEAM 
From biophilic design to the rebirth of bespoke plus some exciting new design industry developments. 2023 is brimming with diverse inspiration for interior design professionals and enthusiasts alike. Aidan Hart, Creative Director at interior architecture firm Inhouse, shares his insight into trends – those they’re leaning into right now and how they choose to work within the trendscape without compromising on their integrity.
“The concept of cocooning was coined in the 90’s and in 2020-2021 we saw it rise to heights we’d never seen before. Now that we are emerging into a new reality, it’s clear that clients are wanting to invest more in their spaces than ever before – a focus on quality is paramount and carefully curated homes are increasingly relevant to people who view the world through more of an art-directed lens, “says Aidan Hart.
Some of the trends making waves right now includes:
BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Without a doubt, a return to natural tones, textures and nature-inspired elements is an enormous trend, the visual connection to nature is easy on the eye and promotes a sense of ease and wellness. In South Africa it is particularly relevant, given our extraordinary natural environment. “We are increasingly using plants as elements in spaces, designing custom planters and using plant installations as screens in between different living spaces, we even have a living Ficus screen in our studio space”, says Aidan. Biophilic design elements also extend to natural materials like timber as well as beautiful organic shapes in furniture and particularly the use of natural fibres as a tactile element.
LUXURY FINISHES & FITTINGS
A desire for better quality and craftsmanship shows no signs of slowing down – especially for clients wanting a unique edge to their interiors. This extends to sourcing exclusive materials, exotic hardwoods, luxury fabrics and one-of-a-kind stone elements which are then incorporated as focal points into our clients’ homes. “Our little black book of trusted suppliers, artisans and crafters has never been busier and we work closely with them to hone each unique design.”
MADE TO ORDER
“Every homeowner is looking for a point of difference where their personality and preferences can shine – and our team of designers know exactly how to transform any space into a showpiece using made-to-measure and custom elements, it’s our reason for being,” explains Aidan. Customised furniture items that work to the scale of a room are a good example, so are hand tufted wool rugs that work with the prevalent colour scheme, we work with trusted artisans to make custom furniture, lighting is its own design language and are no strangers to sourcing artwork that speaks to the interior. Sometimes, we use the client’s art collection as a starting point and work from there.
SUSTAINABLE & EFFICIENT
Like their clients, Inhouse recognises the importance of energy and space-efficient home and office environments. “We are mindful of creating spaces that work for the people who operate within them and that are mindful of conscious design principles. This means sourcing recycled and sustainable materials where we can, incorporating energy-efficient elements like lighting and appropriate insulation into spaces, sourcing from local suppliers and first rethinking existing structures or features rather than going straight to ‘new first’.”
SMART SPACES
“Inhouse is proud of its pioneering spirit regarding the use of smart technology in making workspace design decisions; our custom “Ergosense system” of smart monitors enables us to design efficient office environments that are adaptable, allowing users to manage everything from lighting to temperature and air quality”, says Aidan. In domestic environments, smart technology has been part of the Inhouse design language for some time. Clients appreciate smart lighting solutions, the ability to access their homes offsite, voice and motion activated features and integrated smart appliances.
Clients are more keyed into design than ever before and bring some of their own ideas and discoveries to the table. “Our job is to hone these, amplify their preferences and tap into our expertise to source and commission appropriate complementary finishes, fittings and details that together fulfil the client’s expectations.”
