The Design Journal- February 2023 Issue

DESIGN JOURNAL

Welcometoour17thissueofThe DesignJournal, proudlybringing interiordesignnewsandinspiration tohomesofAustraliasince2020

Thismonthisallaboutcurrent trendsandthedirectionofdesign acrossAustralia,fromatendency towardsqualityfurnishingsthat standthetestoftimethroughtothe new-foundeclecticuseofwooden finishesthroughoutthehome We lookateverythingfromcoloursto wellnessandhighimpactflooring, showcasinghowmodernfamiliesare bringingcomfortandstyleto everydaylife

Wealsointroduceyoutosomeof theteambehindMelissaLunardon.

Thesearethewomenmakinga differenceinthemodernbusiness landscape,withuniqueofferingsand approachestocontemporary entrepreneurship.

Enjoyreading!

MelissaLunardon

INTERIOR DESIGN IN 2023

Aussies started the year in a climate of tension with inflation, climate change and global conflicts, but prospects for 2023 are proving better than you might think

The year so far has shown us that clients and our industry have a tremendous ability to show resilience, innovation and joy in the face of challenges. It seems you want something fun and new, but also natural Colour is vibrantly painting 2023, as last year ’ s unbounded optimism shifts to an exuberant need for uplift and play.

The era for 3D imaging and animation is well and truly upon us, demonstrated by an influx in demand for businesses like Sketch It Up by Nikki Cooper

Say goodbye to boring homes– prettiness that evokes the 80s is back, with a return to chintz, warm reds and lacquer Rich, strong shades that make you feel happier are continuing to proliferate, too. It seems that simplicity, versatility, escapism and resourcefulness are what design will boil down to this year, all while embracing new technology and fresh innovations.

Here are some of the trends we see that offer a glimpse into the unfolding year and tomorrow’s home.

2023 TRENDS

By Melissa Lunardon

Holistic Design

Correspondingwithnodstonature,design thatcloselyconsidersahomeowner’smind andbodyisagrowingmovement You’ll findyourselfthinkingmoreabouthowthe interiorofahousemakesyoufeel,and subsequentlyhowitcanmakeyouhappier, healthierandproductiveinyourspace.

Home Offices Lose Steam

Duringtheheightofthepandemic, homeownersacrosstheworldturnedtheir attentiontotheirhomeoffices However, therehassincebeenadeclineinthenumber ofrequestsmadetodesignerstocreatehome offices,from28%in2020to19%in2022. Designersanticipatethatrequestsforhome officeswilldeclinefromaveryhigh66%that hadbeenpredictedfor2021to32%in2023

Dining Rooms Return

Thereclaimingofthededicateddining roomdovetailswithawaningloveofthe openplan,Itseemsawork-from-home commandcentreatthediningtable imposeda“Willthisworkdayeverend?” feelingfewofusneedin2023 Peopleare lookingfortheintimacy,conversationand cozinessaformaldiningroombrings.

Home Front

Design is more focused on sustainability than ever before Propelled by increasing anxieties over climate change and a slew of quality, good-for-the-planet products on the market, ecofriendly design approaches will continue to gain momentum

Sustainability is a clear priority for homeowners, with 94% of respondents in a recent industry survey saying sustainability is a trend set to stay

Wellness At Home

Wellness rooms could replace home gyms in 2023, because they’re about to be a lot more chic!

Instead of hiding a treadmill in the corner of your home office, you may want to take a more thoughtful focus on wellness at home and look to improve your holistic health physically and emotionally We are already seeing a rise in clients wanting intentional spaces in their home that feel like an escape for activities like meditation, yoga, stretching and pilates.

Corresponding with this focus on wellness, it seems this year will be all about the elevated shower routine, with Pinterest predicting that showering and spa-like showers, in particular, will be taking on a whole new level of importance in today’s fast-paced world Whether its a meditation corner, a duluxe ensuite or a reformer room, it seems wellness and self-care have never been more important to Aussies in their homes in 2023.

QUALITY MATTERS

CHOOSE MATERIALS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME

THE TEST OF TIME

The growing aversion to fast fashion has translated into homes, with a marked move away from quick wins and cheap, massproduced homewares to furnishing and decorating our homes for a lifetime, not just a lifestyle. People are keen to invest in timeless, beautiful quality items now more than ever, according to Melissa Lunardon "We're also embracing vintage pieces. It's all about treasured investments that tell a story and make a home unique, rather than fast furniture"

QUALITY IS THE NEW MANTRA

MOMENT

After years of painted, cerused and high gloss woods, natural wood furniture has well and truly made its way back onto the design world's mood board. In fact, if Instagram is anything to go by, natural timber cabinetry is set to take the top spot in 2023 trends

in case there’s any question mark over what’s meant by natural wood finishes it means not painted, not stained and not engineered timber like MDF; grown from the ground, grain-rich and gorgeous like the television unit in this stunning contemporary Melissa Lunardon living room

While raw timber is a look that’s very much at home in industrial-style interiors when mixed with rugged metal fixtures, and pale wood furniture is a favourite in the Scandi furniture movement, the current moment is more about contrasts with refined architectural bones and a hybrid of finishes in the room.

"Useyournaturalwoodfurniture withconfidence,highlightingit withaneclecticselectionof upholstery,accessoriesand qualityfurnishings."

THE DESIGN JOURNAL

REAL COMFORT, BOTH VISUAL AND PHYSICAL, IS VITAL TO EVERY ROOM

MEET THE PRO'S

Nikki Cooper Margie Cochran

Nikki is the face and talent behind many of the amazing home and garden 3D visualisations you see from Designers across Australia, with her 3D images giving a better spatial understanding of how a design will look and feel once the space is complete Her work helps clients visualise the end product, boosts communication between project team members and minimises the potential for error before a client commits to a project Nikki’s talent and zest shines through in her work, which is undoubtedly a gift to the industry. Find her at wwwsketchitupcomau

Margie is the face behind longform copy and digital media content for a wide range of individuals, businesses and national publications across Australia. Margie kicks the trend for snappy captions and throwaway hashtags to author original content of high value and insight With a background in journalism and medical copywriting, her masterful way with words and passion for the written form provides the basis for an authentic and valuedriven contribution to the modern marketing and social media space Find her at wwwthemwordconsultingcom

BlossomMcKenzie-King

Blossom is the face of modern interior design, a junior designer showing the future of the industry Known more commonly as Blossy, here is a woman extracting all there is from life, combining hobbies and pleasures with livelihood for a newfound way to merge work and lifestyle this century She sings in a pop band, delves deep into cultural diversity, dabbles in floristry and can do everything from spatial planning, documentation, digital renders, furniture styling, fixture instalment, mood boards, presentation packages and more. For a glimpse into the future of work/life balance in Australia, just glance to the up-andcoming like Blossy

CURATED FURNITURE PACKAGES MLHOME

A new service is coming to Australia, set to make style more abundant and accessible for all Introducing ML Home! This is an experienced and friendly team of professional designers working to bring your interior dreams to life with ease, convenience and affordability

The soon-to-be-released curated furniture packages are a unique way to create a bespoke, professionally furnished home that reflects your personality and lifestyle, without having to spend on professional interior design services. It’s style, but your story, delivered with simplicity

Have you heard the news? A new service is coming to Australian home owners, making style at home easier and more accessible than ever before.

Extensive industry experience has helped this design team develop three distinctive styles, which most people fall into when it comes to home interiors. Each style forms the basis for a carefully curated furniture package which effortlessly reflects your aesthetic, lifestyle and needs Whether you ’ re super casual, particularly ordered or creatively eclectic, there is a package to suit you at ML home.

Read on for a sneak peek into the three styles of packages that will soon be available with ML Home: Laidback Coastal, Modern Farmhouse and Luxe Contemporary

LAIDBACK COASTAL

Thiscasualdecoratingstyleisallabouteasy-breezy living Thinkacleverlyblendedmixofcoastal elements,tropicalhints,whitewashtimber,natural stoneandfunpatterns Thisstylegivesarelaxedyet luxuriouslookandfeel,buteffortlesslymaintainsa superfamily-friendlyatmosphere Ifyou’rethetype whodoesn’tmindsandbeneaththeirtoesandlikes tothrowtheirfeetuponthecoffeetable,thisstyleis foryou!It’scasualbutit’salsoelegant,creatinga comfortableandinvitingspacewithlaidbackvibes thatfeelslikehome.

C U R A T E D

C U R A T E D M

MHOUSE

Ifyou’relookingtoaddasenseofwarmth, personalityandcharacterwithahintofminimalism, ModernFarmhousestyleisforyou It'sastorybook collisionofwarmtimberandtimeworntreasures withmodernaccentsforafabulouslyindividual, charmingandcontemporarystyle It’salittlerustic, somewhatminimal,undeniablycosy,andfabulously modern!Butwhatwelovemostisthefactthisstyle comeswithacasualdisregardfortherulesthatadds instantwarmthandcharacter It'straditional withoutbeingfussy,classicwithoutbeinglikea museum,andcomfortableinawaythatmakesyou wanttoputyourfeetupandstayawhile

LUXE CONTEMPORARY

Ifyoulovecleanandsimplelivingthatfusesluxury withamodernaesthetic,thisstyleisforyou!Luxe Contemporaryisdefinedbysimplicity,subtle sophistication,deliberateuseoftextureandultra cleanlines You'llseefocusesoncolour,spaceand shape,givinghomesacontemporaryinteriorthatis sleekandfresh Themostobviousanddistinctive elementofthiscontemporarystylereallyistheline Smooth,cleangeometricshapesandstrongvisible linesareevident.Cuteandsmallisabolished,and insteadit'sallbasic,bare,boldandstructural.

C U R A T E D

THE DESIGN JOURNAL

MELISSALUNARDON.COM

Melissa Lunardon Interior Design is driven by a deep passion for design and style The team work closely with clients to articulate a unique vision and a stylish point of view where personality, art, form and function co-exist