02 | The Tribune | Weekend
HOME
Friday, February 4, 2022
CURVE APPEAL
What’s old is new again – less angles, more gentle lines are in
E
very now and then there is a seismic shift in the atmosphere of the normally stable world of furniture and home décor. It’s happening now as sleek modern lines that dominated the last decade give way to softer, gentler treatments of what we sit on, eat from and even walk through. Call it curve appeal, if you like. We will never know – nor need to know – if the gentler, more curved approach to the design of sofas, tables, lamps, accessories and doorways is a reaction to the toughness we all had to onboard to get through the past two pandemicdefined years. But there is no question that designers and home owners are gravitating towards rounded curves on sofas, chairs, chandeliers, candle globes and smaller accessories, perhaps because they are softer and more inviting. When I first noticed this trend, I thought it was my personal taste influencing what I was seeing. As a new mom, I recognised I was seeking the softer side, embracing a certain mood and quietness in the home, though I paired it with monochromatic themes and small pops of colour. It turns out I was hardly alone. Just as a body with curves is more appealing than one straight up and down (think Beyonce vs Twiggy), rounded corners can be easier on the eye. Top architects are incorporating curves, rediscovering the beauty of arches and archways, curved walls and more organic lines. Rounded doorways both in and outside the home harken back to Roman architecture, reminding us of why the ancient style has remained so timeless and classical. Designers are using waterfall edges on furniture as well as kitchen cabinetry, giving it a seamless look connecting the top to all that it is connected to. Round is carried through on oval and circular hardware for kitchen and cabinet knobs. But while adapting to the new, there’s no need to toss out the old. One of the most interesting ways to achieve the best of both worlds
is to mix curves and straight modular lines by using a round chandelier above a rectangular or square coffee table, for instance. Philosophically, the reintroduction of curvature in furniture signifies a return to nature where there are no real BROOKE PYFROM hard lines. It also allows us to find ways to bring the outside in as we spoke about in last week’s Life by Design. Combining these organic shapes with potted plants and live floral arrangements brings about a sense of peace and calm. Using mid-century modern furniture with rounded edges and tapered legs keeps a space looking minimal, creates a sense of movement and adds personality. Remember that rounded arm and leg couch that your grandmother had in her front room? It may be time to take it out of storage and re-upholster with soft fern or banana leaves, giving off warmth and a welcome home touch without being stuffy. The smooth, rounded furniture of the 70s and 80s, chairs with rounded backs and arms, round coffee tables and dining tables, are ripe for updating with new fabric, varnish or paint. While horizontal and vertical lines add height and width to a room, curved lines are meant to soften and add comfort. However, it is important to mix straight and round lines so no single style becomes overpowering. Decorating for comfort is like living your best life – it’s all about balance.
LIFE BY DESIGN
Even in a commercial powder room, the arch window adds height and interest
Curves make a comeback
Circles bring positive energy
Curve is the new cool after a decade of harsh lines
• Brooke Pyfrom is the proprietor of Oasis, Sandyport, and Oasis, East Shirley Street. She sources exceptional pieces from around the world to combine trendy with traditional.