In a world in which everything is shouting at us, quietness in itself is a luxury. So what is Quiet Luxury? Possibly it’s summed up by the intangibility of a visual stillness rather than interiors filled with statements. At its most literal, these are rooms which are effortless, timeless and tranquil, which sit in the muted colour spectrum of a Rothko painting or a Cy Twombly oil.
This isn’t anything as stark as minimalism per se, but rather, thoughtfully designed spaces where quality and textures which thrill the finger tips are the defining element. Think of it as tapping into a frequency, one which is not so easy to discern but envelops you in its gentle thrumming vernacular of balance and restraint, considered proportions, superlative but simple artistry and decades long artisanship.
For Sally Denning, author of Calm Interiors and the interiors stylist behind Sofas & Stuff campaigns, it’s the careful consideration of rooms which speak to materiality and nature – stone, brass, wood – which is grounding. “It’s definitely not about filling the space but employing layering which is very gentle and that adds texture – the sort of imperfection from materials which acquire a patina gradually….that is what grounds a space immediately.”
One might reference the work of Belgian greats, Axel Vervoordt and Vincent Van Duysen whose interiors celebrate earthy colours and natural materials that become interesting over time, a wabi sabi approach for which they both enthuse. On these shores, Rose Uniacke is a master of quiet simplicity and a deep understanding of how rooms should work.
Vervoordt once remarked that “a minimum use of materials can often lead to maximum results.” This philosophy is reflected in the home of architect Adam Richards, Nithurst Farm near Petworth, West Sussex. With its interplay of concrete and stark design influences — from Palladio to Andrei Tarkovsky — the space provided a striking backdrop for Sofas & Stuff’s recent campaign shoot, styled by Sally Denning. Here, the cool lines of the Hambledon corner sofa, featuring an array of scatter cushions in textured linens and woollen weaves, introduced softness and comfort, bringing natural texture into the raw, architectural setting.
The pieces with which we furnish these spaces naturally require careful consideration. Collecting – or curating – is in Vervoordt’s blood and chimes with the movement towards exquisitely made craft pieces which are judiciously chosen – a ‘buy once, buy well” philosophy. It’s an approach which aligns with Sofas & Stuff meticulous attention to detail.
As sofa shapes go, purveyors of quiet luxury are more readily drawn to the Cromer and the Brunel with their slender arms and simple clean lines which exude an elegant yet understated feel.The Alwinton and the Kentwell are other classic English designs which incorporate a low, Howard style arm and are similarly pleasing. For simplified Chesterfield sofas – retaining the cocooning high arms and back but without the decoration of deep buttoning on a traditional Chesterfield – there is the Exbury and the Otley to consider. Elsewhere the Heyshott features a sleek single bench cushion and narrow, square arms or the Marylebone with its clean, square lines and low square arms riffs on mid-century design. For armchairs, the Rothermere offers a sophisticated arm style and classic silhouette. With its sprung back and self-piped detailing, it is a refined choice that beautifully showcases a chosen fabric.
Texture is the quiet yet mighty storyteller in the room. Is there anything as inviting as sinking – or slinking – into a Sole linen covered sofa with its completely natural, undyed, dense weave. Equally, creamy wools or boucles confer a contemporary cocooning style and linens in grain sack stripe or herringbone hover on the muted palette spectrum. As ever, the choice -piping, velvet trims, tonally mismatched cushion covers – is yours to decide upon from the unparalleled level of customisation which is available.
It’s easy to forget that interior design used to be about creating rooms which would last forever. The intention of most interior designers post-war and till the turn of the millennium was to create interiors that would somehow achieve a sense of timelessness and stillness and need not to be changed. It’s with pride that Andrew Cussins, the brand’s founder reveals that his own sofas are still going strong after 40 years and have been re-upholstered on several occasions. It is on these sofas that generations of his own family have been ‘held’ and where very cherished memories have played out.
Quiet luxury it seems offers spaces so thoughtfully designed that they are also spaces to ‘just be’. Actually, these are often highly functional spaces, even if that functionality isn’t immediately apparent – a cosy – perfectly proportioned – chair in which to curl up, a cushion to prop yourself up against, adequate reading light, doors that shut seamlessly. Close your eyes. Is there anywhere better to be?
True comfort lies in the things we return to again and again—well-worn paths, familiar views, favourite seats. Quiet luxury honours that instinct. If you’re ready to create a space that feels like home from the moment you walk in, we can help you begin. Explore our sofas and fabrics online, or visit a showroom near you, and discover designs that softly speak of luxury.