Slow living is more than a trend. There are times when it becomes a way of understanding life. I’m sure you’ve heard of a ‘slow food’ culinary movement or ‘slow life’ philosophy. Today I wanted to write a little about slow living, ethics & aesthetics that greatly influences all my residential projects.
The phrase ‘slow life’ often brings to mind images of days off without work, lying in a hammock with a piña colada in hand. The reality is that ‘slow living’ takes many different forms. For some it might mean long Sunday mornings in bed, and for others: waking up at dawn and starting the day on the bike. The ‘slow life’ is something personal. One of the strongest ways we can manifest it is through our homes.
What can’t you live without?
A ‘slow house’ is subjective and depends on the aspirations of each client/inhabitant, but it always finds its foundation in the deepest values of the human being. It is not about luxury, nor about minimalism, nor does it force us to give up our most beloved belongings. Slow living tries to answer the question: What objects are essential for me to live? Our homes should be a means of exploring the foundations of life and then trying to incorporate them into our environment. In this way, a home is not only a physical structure, but also a structure of our beliefs. An interior design should represent the heart. It needs to be the center of our values.
‘Essential living’ doesn’t mean leaving our closet bare with only white t-shirts like Zuckerberg does. I think we can invite slowness and simplicity into our home without prescribing a predetermined aesthetic. ‘Slow living’ is less of a style and more of a mindset. deeply personal.
Decoration in interior design
The function of our homes should dictate how we decorate them, not the other way around. Instead of clogging up life with clutter, both physical and mental, or unnecessarily discarding meaningful possessions (minimalism), I’m always looking for a happy medium. I always work with decorating details to determine what brings fulfillment to life.
Slow Living Aesthetics
Interior design needs to talk about our most intimate beliefs. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the client’s belongings to express their personality through elements such as: French antiques, a huge family table for a dinner of 20 people, a handful of childhood sketches stuck on the wall or the absence of objects in a minimum space… The key to all heart-spaces is that their aesthetics are shaped by the values cultivated by their inhabitants. They choose what brings them joy and meaning. For me it is the most important aspect of life without rushing.
I look forward to your comments!
Do you want to know our projects? I invite you to see the Portfolio. More inspiration can be found on our Instagram @anna_studio_pty
Architect / Engineer / Artist
CEO of PIEKNO Studio. Anna holds a Master of Engineering Science in Architecture, which she earned in 2009, following a proud family legacy of three generations of engineers. Her love for art has significantly influenced her journey as a designer, architect, engineer, and woman entrepreneur.
