Trend Report | Home interiors S/S 2023

Finding purpose and investing with intention

(*This article was written for and published on kartarandseibo.com)

As we enter the new season, our usual cravings for refreshing and rejuvenating our physical spaces abound. But, this year, it feels more pertinent and symbolic than ever before.

Life in 2023 has presented significant challenges in just a few short months – social turbulence and the cost-of-living crisis are very real factors that affect most of us. Coupled with the continuing climate concerns, most of us now feel compelled to take stock of our lifestyles and be honest about the measure of our accountability. Amidst the chaos, however, is a constant source of sanctuary – our homes. The role of the home has alternated and shifted immensely since the turn of the decade, and now it’s time to think about what your home really means to you.

Introspection around the purpose and subsequent emotional value is influencing us to reconsider the other investments we place in our homes, and the concussive effect on the planet around us. This season, we see an overarching theme of investment – eschewing throw-away culture for haute couture homes and bio-respectful products that work in harmony with our majestic earth.

Micro luxury

Shirking the need for major renovations, investing in intricate details and luxe accents rapidly elevates the look and feel of the interior space. The kitchen is the usual target of such mini facelifts - cabinetry is modified with luxe brassware for instant elevation. But this trend is not exclusively reserved for the kitchen – washrooms, home offices and dressing room are all ideal canvases for a coat of micro-luxury.

Our favourite purveyors of luxury hardware? Armac Martin. Based in Birmingham, the family owned and run operation has been serving the sector since 1929, the brassware manufacturer has received industry acclaim on a global scale. And, with a pledge to be net zero by 2041, you can trust that your investment is a sustainable choice. Discover Armac Martin now.  

Statement lamps

The days of simple decorative lampshades and turned-wood bases are now home interior history. Our obsessions for objet d’art span the whole home and filter through to our lighting choices. Sculptural effigies transform minimalistic spaces and neutral décor, whilst elaborate cascades of crystal and gold drip opulence in less modest spaces. The bigger, the better, in this case.

British brands Bella Figura and Porta Romana offer a 360-design approach – the perfect piece is waiting for every interior space. From traditional extravagance, through to modern sculptures and installations, these brands maintain their British heritage and employ the finest artisans our isles have to offer. Meticulous attention to details and customisable components ensures your investment is unique to you.

Discover our lighting collection now. 

Natural stones

A continuation of the emergence of biophilic design, natural stone furniture is an eternally en-vogue feature and the object of every professional’s desire. Trends may attract different monikers, but the principle remains the same – inviting the organic into the home offers a graceful aesthetic that is sympathetic to the earth. 

Stones like marble and quartz are repopularising for high-traffic furniture pieces like dining tables and coffee tables. The inherent properties and characteristics of the materials make them ideal for busy households – non-porous and naturally stain-resistant, they offer an enviable measure of longevity.

Our resident stone mason, Steve Bristow, dedicates his designs to the behaviours of the marbles and stones that form his furniture pieces. Honouring their abilities to perform under design-pressure, Steve’s carefully curated collection exhibits a distinctly cosmopolitan look to root your investment in an eternal state of modernity. Our must-have pieces include the Sienna Console Table and Verona Dining Table.

Steve Bristow furniture is on display at the Kartar & Seibo showroom.

Statement rugs

Offering a platform to let loose and imagine your craziest design-reality, the humble rug is the under-valued soft furnishing that ties a room together. Evolving away from flimsy loose-weaves and bohemian jute tapestries, the possibilities of modern rugs are seriously impressive.

Incorporating sustainable materials, like luxurious silks and Econyl technology, (which has endless recycling capabilities), Frato’s collection of sober, muted neutrals add texture and dimension to minimalistic interiors. We love Uyuni and Quito for adding softly sculptural qualities as a central focus to living and sleeping spaces.

If you prefer a more cosmopolitan canvas to add colourful language to your interior, we love the recent collaboration between Stark and renowned Italian fashion house, Missoni. Highlighting the house’s iconic zig-zag knits, and a palette of vibrant rustic hues, Stark’s seamless craftsmanship is wholly evident, creating pieces that stand the test of style-time. Our recommendations? Zucca for the ultimate haute-couture vibe and Giovanna in azure for a tranquil oceanic aura.

Soft modern

Tender touches of velvet and muted earthy neutrals are the ultimate in interior cool. Evolving away from the stereotypical sixty-shades of white and bland beiges, soft hues of washed-out sage, mauve and indigo permeate the renewed organic scene. Favoured by the Portuguese design houses, like Frato and Domkapa, these sophisticated reflections of the natural world invite a comforting cocoon in the home. Married with luxury woods, marbles and soft-furnishing substrates like silk, linen, and cotton, embracing sustainability is becoming increasingly chicer.

We love the timeless appeal of global trendsetters Frato for the ultimate interior investment, and Domkapa for their fully customisable couture approach to furniture design. Our favourites? Domkapa’s Juliet sofa for sleek, minimalism that is eternally en vogue, and Frato’s Aarhus coffee table that boasts installation-worthy aesthetics and an inconspicuous sense of sustainability.

Start your investment journey today by visiting kartarandseibo.com