That might mean giving new life to an heirloom or found item. Or buy new items with long-lasting quality.
New York-based designer Gideon Mendelson believes the movement reflects Japanese philosophy. reason to live, focuses on finding meaning and purpose. Applied to interiors, it is important to create spaces that promote overall well-being.
“For me, good design brings space to life and activity. Decorating with meaningful pieces is not about aesthetics, but about curating a space that resonates with authenticity and a personal story. “It is,” he says.
“It’s not just about how you look, it’s about how you want to live.”
3-story building, balcony, terrace, Scandinavian-style flat that takes advantage of Hong Kong.
3-story building, balcony, terrace, Scandinavian-style flat that takes advantage of Hong Kong.
And you don't have to spend a lot of money, he says. He framed an inexpensive but eye-catching vintage deli sign and added a playful element to his dining room at his home in the Hamptons.
Mendelsohn believes the trend toward “slower,” more thoughtful interior design lies in subtleties like “treasured heirlooms and intimate connections between spaces and the people who live in them.” .
Fast furniture, coupled with cheaper materials, excessive packaging and frequent replacement, collides with consumers' growing interest in minimizing their lasting impact on the planet.
I'm a more careful shopper now, but I also really enjoy DIY.
During the pandemic, many brand-new household items weren't manufactured or shipped to market due to assembly line delays and container ship holdups, so upcycling things you already had or found became a hobby, and many , it has become a necessity.
If you can find a great sideboard at a flea market or online reseller that just needs a little extra work, give it a try.
Not so long ago, the Decor Fair included several studio labs offering reclaimed wood and organic textiles. Today, at global trade fairs such as Ambiente in Frankfurt, Salone del Salone in Milan and Maison et Objet in Paris, hundreds of companies are showcasing new designs with environmental and social impact in mind.
Even those that have already stood the test of time often have another 50 years left in them.Great items to look for on side tables, desks, and even cabinets
There is fair trade manufacturing. Fast-growing renewable energy sources such as hemp, bamboo, and cork. Cushions made with soy-based foam rather than petroleum-based foam. Recycled glass and metal accessories.
People in the mid-20s to 30s age group are seen to be driving the slow design trend. TikTok and his Instagram feed are filled with videos of refinishing and unveiling, and his humble abode is filled with discovered treasures.
Stephen Orr, editor-in-chief of Better Homes & Gardens, said he has spent the past few years renovating a 1760s home on Cape Cod.
“The first year was during the pandemic, so antiques and flea markets were a godsend considering all the disruptions to the supply chain,” he says.
“In the process, however, we realized that pieces with a patina of age better represent the long history of the house.”
He also added some new contemporary pieces, “which don't seem like they should be costumed from the Colonial Williamsburg era.”
Jillian Hayward Scheible of Susan Hayward Interiors says you should spend more on quality when it comes to furniture for sitting, sleeping and eating.
“I encourage my clients to invest in things like sofas, sectionals, beds, dining tables, and upholstered items because you can really feel the difference when these items are made with care.” she says.
Peter Spalding of Daniel House Club, a designer furniture sourcing platform, says that imitations of Chippendale and other legacy-style pieces (such as cabinets and wingback chairs) were common in the '80s and early '90s. He says it was spot on.
“Imitations don't have as much value now, but the originals are still very popular,” he says. “When collecting 'slow furniture', buy as authentic a version as possible.”
Taipei 'stopped for a moment' when cover was removed from The Blue Hotel
Taipei 'stopped for a moment' when cover was removed from The Blue Hotel
Dan Mazzarini of BHDM Design and its editorial arm Archive offers similar advice.
“If you're looking for a good investment, go straight to vintage. Even those that have already stood the test of time often have another 50 years left. Side tables, desks, and even cabinets are also on the lookout. It’s the perfect item for,” he says.
Mendelson mentions a vintage French stucco shell sconce in his home in Sagaponack, New York. Although he bought them 15 years ago, they “still feel fresh and relevant.”
“I think the desire for one-of-a-kind bespoke is at least starting the conversation about handmade,” he says. “Quality and quantity. Living with intention.”
Many U.S. retailers are securing seats on the slow train. For example, West Elm was one of the first home improvement stores to join Fair Trade USA, a production certification organization that ensures its suppliers maintain good workplaces and wages and support local communities.
Global reforestation project One Tree Planted receives a percentage of every purchase from furniture brand Joybird. Herman Miller's repurposing program provides used furniture to nonprofit organizations. And IKEA's initiatives include transitioning to bio-based adhesives and introducing a buy-and-resell program that will breathe new life into 230,000 products in 2022.
For the past five years, the United Nations Refugee Agency's Made51 initiative has helped artisans create sustainable and fairly traded goods in partnership with fashion and home accessories businesses around the world.
