Interior Design Trends in Australia
Some of the major interior design trends in Australia for 2023 have been intertwined with the desire to connect with the natural environment. These trends include the move towards sustainable, consciously curated spaces – where interior styling and design elements are not only selected for their aesthetic qualities but also for their environmental sustainability and long-term impact to our planet. Another trend that works hand in hand with nature is the increased use of raw materials, in particular timber to calm and bring warmth to a space. Biophilic design continues to build momentum with the lines between the natural landscape and manmade structures being blurred. Then there are the less obvious trends that put the natural environment straight into our spaces. Such as the use of curved lines and rough edges, use of tactile and textural materials, natural colour palettes and a preference for artisan and handcrafted wares.
With so many interior design trends in Australia evolving and shaping our spaces it’s exciting to see that the natural environment is informing the direction of so many of them. Even more importantly, involving the natural landscape into design trends has a multitude of positive benefits. Biophilic design incorporates the use of both direct nature and indirect nature with the goal of increasing occupant connectivity to the natural environment. The benefits are not only aesthetic. Biophilic building design is known to reduce stress, and lower blood pressure and heart rate while enhancing mood and creating calm. Whether it is the use of green spaces indoors, nature-inspired architectural design, the natural movement of air through a space or the use of natural light to allow for moving shadows and time orientation, this inclusion of the natural world into homes, workplaces and public buildings has a direct positive impact on occupant wellbeing.
While incorporating biophilic concepts into interior design is an obvious choice for creating occupant connection to the natural environment there are other more subtle ways to improve wellbeing within a space. Incorporating raw materials, particularly those with more textural and tactile surfaces can boost mood and bring relaxation to a room. The use of timber has featured heavily in interior trends this year as have fabrics like bouclé which provide a textural contrast to the smooth, hard surfaces that surround them. Being able to see, touch and even smell these natural materials reinforces the sense of connection to the world outside.
Another re-emerging trend that further enhances this connection is the preference to fill spaces with artisan made and hand crafted pieces. There is less desire for mass produced products where the designers, factory, materials and makers are all untraceable. A renewed value is now placed on sourcing interior design elements directly, whether it be hand woven rugs, bone inlaid side tables or ceramic vessels that were formed by hand and not by wheel. The personal skill and attention that goes into these wares by their makers provide another valuable connection to the natural world which is often enhanced by the raw materials they work with.
At Smith & Brooks we really feel like we can contribute to these design trends that build a connection to the natural landscape. Each of our artworks is an interpretation of an endemic species, an Australian native that we have connected to and have memories of. Each work represents a story that we personally share with a part of the Australian landscape. And as therapeutic as it is for us to create each work we hope that is also something the viewer experiences in their own space. We draw on elements of biophilic design by painting sets of works as if they are windows to the outside bushland world. We want them to be subconsciously familiar, creating a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality even on a subconscious level.
We also work natural materials like the sustainable Australian oak float frames that encase our original artworks and canvas prints. The unique wood grain textures and subtle tones give each frame a sense of individuality. Smooth to the touch but still undeniably natural, the frames are but another way to fill the senses with echoes of nature. Our luxe agave fine art print paper is vibrant and velvety and reproduces the original works with such incredible detail. Quality is not compromised in using this sustainable resource and just knowing that the agave paper is made from an arid region, renewable plant source makes these limited-edition prints an eco conscious choice for art buyers.
Smith & Brooks also hand embroider some specific collection pieces. Using an undyed 100% organic cotton thread we hand stitch each thread into the work creating a textural earthy finish. The tendrils of thread drape down beyond the bounds of the frame changing artwork instantly into a much more organic and tactile work that can move at any given time with a slight breeze from a window or from that of a passerby. All of a sudden it is no longer an inanimate object but an artwork that subtly interacts with its surroundings.
As interior trends change and evolve we know that Smith & Brooks artworks will change with them. As the desire to connect back with the land and the environment grows so do our personal goals in creating sustainable, connected and thoughtful works of art. We are also occupants and are also informed by our environments so it seems natural for us to move in these directions too. We hope at the same time we can share our love of the Australian Landscape with you.
