With HBO’s hit-show Succession coming back for a fourth and final season, the topic of “quiet luxury” has been popping up again. While it mostly refers to the discreet yet outrageously expensive fashion the Roy family tends to deck themselves in, we think it’s time to talk about it in an interior design context.
As an interior design company specialised in luxury suppliers, we’re deep into these topics and brands, and can’t wait to discuss further who’s doing it the best and how you can achieve the look in your next interior design project.
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What is “quiet luxury”?
For the uninitiated, this is the topic of the moment. Quiet luxury, by definition, is luxury that isn’t loud about its cost. It is minimalist, without any obvious branding, and is only noticeable to those who know about the brand. It is the physical manifestation of “if you know, you know”.
In line with the upsurge in interest for “old money” and the associated class rules of the elite, quiet luxury exposes a desire to be perceived as rich without the associated tags of “tackiness”.
Late 2010s fashion was all about overt opulence and branding (e.g. Gucci’s logo becoming a best-seller pattern). The 2020s, with its constant recessions and rising inequality, is discreet, more focused on living luxury than actually flaunting it to those who “don’t get it”.
Of course, this rhetoric is not a moral leap from the previous commitment to gaucheness and overconsumption. It is a more refined yet equally classist take on showing off a higher socio-economic status to the world.
What does “quiet luxury” look like?
“Quiet luxury” is difficult to detect, but once you see it you can’t miss it. In quiet luxury design, you will see quality furniture pieces, a balanced design style and a neutral colour palette. Also, add some outrageously expensive art on the walls. But make the artists behind the obscure, abstract and almost unrecognisable (unless you’re in the know). Here are some of our favourite examples in action.
Minimal Luxe Living Area by Hommés Studio
The design below looks minimalist, discreet, perfectly symmetrical. Some even would say bare. However, only the coffee table and two sofas come up to 20,000 USD.
Menorcan home by Ábaton
This beautiful Menorcan villa is simple and slightly rustic, blending traditional Spanish coastal elements with the cutting edge and minimalist design. As an example of “quiet luxury at work”, the rattan chair visible below is the Carl Hansen & Søn CH25 Lounge Chair; upwards of 3,000 EUR. While its design is discreet, a trained eye can see the touch of Scandinavian chicness all over it.
Carpets and rugs by Pinton 1867
Rugs are a staple of luxury homes, and one look at the Pinton rug selection and you’ll know we’re talking about real high-end stuff over here. The Teles rug, one of their range’s standouts, is 15,444 EUR. If you’re an interior designer, you can directly source their range by joining Portaire, for free.
If you love this rug as much as we do, you can check out more of their products just below.
