AW23 Interior Trends
A/W Interior Trends 2023
Interior design is able to evoke the full spectrum of emotions. Depending on the decor, a space can be cosy and warm, masculine and dramatic, pared-back and peaceful or bursting with uplifting colour and quirky knick-knacks. You might feel calm, happy or claustrophobic - you might favour whimsical elements of flora and fauna or you might prefer to keep things minimal, modern and subtly brutalist. Whatever your preference, it equips you with a solid base to work from.
When we say ‘interior trends,’ we don’t mean you need to go about shaping your home around the latest designs, but rather, shape the latest designs around your home. Keep your preferred style firmly in place, adding suitable accents to tap into your chosen trend. This way, you’re not only championing sustainability by breathing new life into existing pieces, but you’re also further curating your personal sense of style. And we have plenty of key interior accessories, statement accent chairs and stunning centrepiece coffee tables to help add layers of personality.
Throughout 2023 so far, we’ve seen the continuation of a few key trends such as Heritage, 70s Warmth and a contemporary version of what House Beautiful have called ‘comfortcore’. Interestingly, you could argue that those also form the base for what we predict will continue to reign supreme into the A/W Season 2023. We’ve asked our Saintly experts here at WSG HQ for their hot take on what’s next for home interiors in 2023.
Natural Luxe for clean, cosy and comforting spaces
Product perfectionist, head of social and our newest team member, Faye, believes that muted, gentle minimalism with discerning swathes of texture will continue to be key as we transition into cooler climes.
“Natural Luxe is all about soft curves that create inviting and cocooning spaces, executed in cosy textures and a natural colour palette. To keep things both comfortable and clean, I’d pull in elements of fluffy boucle upholstery juxtaposed with honed black accents and monochrome accessories. To avoid pure polarisation, I’d create a softening bridge between the two through the use of rattan in wicker weaves, which is perfect for transitioning through the seasons.”
To add a flavour of Natural Luxe to your interior, permanent fixtures such as wall panelling, limewash paint and statement pendant lighting choices are ideal and will create that understated background texture unique to spaces of quiet, comfortable luxury. However, you can also build it into your existing scheme by adding that texture in the form of boucle or rattan as Faye mentions above, and by combining a variety of natural materials such as wood, stone and fabric.
Our Top Three Natural Luxe Pieces
Want to effortlessly incorporate the Natural Luxe trend? While we struggled to narrow down our extensive range of idyllic accessories down to just three, these pieces are a great place to start….
The stunning artisanal textures of the shade itself give the Sierra that instant expensive look, without needing to completely re-mortgage your house, or overhaul your interior design. Casting an ambient glow and equipped with a woven rope flex cord, this would look divine suspended over a circular dining table, lined up in succession over the kitchen island, or hung solo either side of the bed. While this one is finished in white and perfectly taps into the pared-back style, it’s also available in natural terracotta should you wish to incorporate more earthiness (more on that later…)
We’ve all seen that AD Tour of Kim Kardashian’s minimalistic home, a seemingly monochrome space of cathedral-esque hallways and expansive, curving seating arrangements topped with plush cushions. Her husband at the time, Kanye West, even described it as a ‘futuristic Belgian monastery’ no doubt in reference to their designer, renowned Belgian tastemaker Axel Vervoordt. Whatever your opinion of Ms Kardashian’s house, there’s no denying that the overriding emotion it provokes is complete calm. The neutral hues, elements of nature and variation in texture are a lesson in Natural Luxe, as is our Cheam Occasional Chair with its subtle curves, clean black lines and inviting boucle upholstery.
With all that white and beige, it’s essential to add a striking slice of dark brown to provide contrast without compromising the clean, calm and natural aesthetic. Our Contorted Willow Branch does just that, adding instant refinement to a space that lacks intrigue or drama. If you’re trying to nail the Natural Luxe aesthetic, this realistic faux stem is the final touch of finesse that you are looking for.
Eclectic Surrealism for outlandish excitement
One-half of our founding duo, Tracey, also weighed in on what she expects to be important in the A/W interiors realm, quick to cite Eclectic Surrealism as a firm favourite.
“Imagine if Frida Khalo collaborated with Salvador Dali on an interior project, and you’d probably hit the mark just right. A journey of lavish escapism through jewel tones and sumptuous velvets, Eclectic Surrealism allows for expression, hedonism and a much-anticipated injection of colour and personality. Particularly notable for the winter season are statement gold accents, which transition well into the festive period.”
It may be no coincidence that the Surrealism art movement began just over a century ago around 1920. In a post-pandemic landscape where Biblical weather events rage on and things feel more than a bit tough, is it any wonder that we’re looking to infuse our spaces with chimerical whimsy? Think acid-green reproductions of Michelangelo’s David colliding with red lip-shaped sofas and antique four-poster canopy beds. Like a wild night at Studio 54 or Pikes Ibiza, Eclectic Surrealism is where both art enthusiasts and party people can be found.
Our Top Three Eclectic Surrealism Pieces
While we’re not encouraging you to decorate your home with Damien Hirst’s formaldehyde cow or attempt to steal an original Dali (but, you know, whatever floats your boat and all that), a touch of Eclectic Surrealism is guaranteed to give your home an uplifting and playful buzz that will boost your mood and creativity. Here are three pieces with more than a pinch of panache.
Vibrant colour? Check. Playful structure? Check. Gold tones? Check. Our Flamingo Table Lamp ticks all the boxes when it comes to Eclectic Surrealism. Not only does it do the very practical job of illuminating your space, but it also serves as a statement sculpture to top your console table with.
Because renaissance art was always supposed to be clad in olive green flock velvet. Perfect for those who want to dip their toe in the proverbial pool of Eclectic Surrealism, rather than dive in head first, our Theo Greek Bust is a noble but playful objet d’art for your sideboard, coffee table or bookcase.
Nothing says surrealism more than flying pigs and fully-clothed hares. The Illusionary Daytime Wallpaper in rich green is perfect for capturing those Dali vibes but with an emphasis on glorious jewel tones and hidden lucky charms. Crafted by award-winning Romanian brand MINDTHEGAP, this magical wallpaper blurs the lines of reality and even features a very Bowie-esque figure in a pinstriped suit.
Curated Earth for grounded goodness
And so we come back down to earth, quite literally, for our final prediction, cast by our own interior expert and photographer, Mark. As usual, the clue is in the name, but he gave us the low-down on what Curated Earth really means.
“This decor trend is all about using warm earthy tones to create solid and safe environments with colour palettes inspired by nature. Additional interest comes from 70s-inspired patterns and prints, while functional multi-use furniture combined with vintage pieces allow for the ultimate in customised living. Those invested in this decor trend are genuinely inspired by and concerned about the natural world around them, which is why sustainability and considered purchases continue to be key.”
So, what might a Curated Earth interior look like? Expect strong nods from the 70s, such as varying shades of brown, sunken conversation pits and lush, thick pile rugs and carpets. It’s also where houseplants and natural light reign supreme, allowing it to work well in both contemporary and classic spaces.
Our Top Three Curated Earth Pieces
This trend is perfect if you’re non-committal when it comes to the ebb and flow of interiors. We’ve called it ‘curated’ because that’s exactly what it is - it’s a combination of the vintage and the contemporary that has been carefully selected and styled over time. With that in mind, we think these three versatile but undeniably earthy pieces hit the spot.
While brown glass anything is inevitably going to expose children of the 70s and early 80s to the risk of recurring nightmares, this beautiful vase is the perfect example of a Curated Earth interior accessory. Available in the shades of Sand and Chocolate, the latter colour option taps into that rose-tinted nostalgia and warming, earthen comfort.
You’ll want to incorporate gentle elements of the great outdoors, which is exactly what the stunning lime-washed woodgrain of the Obsidian Side Table does. It has a subtly abstract shape, which is counter-balanced by its rounded corners and soothing, tactile texture. Top it with the Adele Vase mentioned above filled with our Burgundy Eucalyptus Stems for a wonderfully warm, cocooning feel.
Cabana Accent Chair
It was tough to choose just one accent chair that encapsulates our Curated Earth scheme - from our laidback sophistication of the Sazs, the glorious greige tones of the Lorenzo and even the incredibly practical Phoebe Folding Chair, we reviewed our complete collection of luxury accent chairs before landing on a real winner. Because nothing communicates discerning earthen indulgence quite like the real sheepskin and solid oak combination of our Cabana Accent Chair. Inspired by the iconic Timothy Oulton Cabana Yeti Chair, the Cabana is inspired by luxe lounging in the great outdoors.