From a 30-foot-deep moat with a swing bridge and underground tunnels that double as go-cart tracks, to herb gardens and meditation rooms, the ultra-wealthy are transforming their homes in ways that express their creativity, sense of security and quest for calm and relaxation.
These are just some of the trends influencing luxury interior design, which is rebounding strongly from the pandemic years — and expected to grow from $54 billion in 2023 to $120 billion by 2032, according to Business Research Insights.
The surge in interest has even birthed its own lingo, from “dark academia” (snug reading nooks and library walls) to “Japandi” (a hybrid style that combines Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian functionality).
One consistent theme that has only grown in recent years is the emphasis on sustainability and the use of local products. Searches for “modern organic bedroom” on the Houzz interior-design site have almost quadrupled year over year, according to the site’s Emerging Summer Trends Report.
And when it comes to ultra-wealthy clients, that trend is even more intense, said Shea Soucie of Chicago-based Soucie Horner.
Wellness and sustainability are two key themes that her clients demand, Soucie said. Recently, she worked on a house in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that “was very much about how many of the materials could be locally sourced.” The design also featured small but unique details — like bird frit on the windows, which are little dots baked into the glazing on the glass.
That focus on sustainability also includes biophilic design, in which nature is incorporated into living spaces. “This can be done with living plant walls, interior trees, courtyard gardens and with extensive use of skylights,” said Colleen Coopersmith, a managing director of the New York-based Compass residential real estate brokerage.
‘Relax your mind’
Citing popular books like Peter Attia’s Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity, Soucie said design is being infused with the idea of healthy living. “Devices are around us all the time,” she said, “and our homes are smart houses — do you need to have devices in your bedroom, or are we creating more of a cocoon? As you get toward the end of the day, you go into your master suite, and it’s meant to slow down and relax your mind.”
Recently, Soucie worked with a Belgian client to add features such as a cold plunge and infrared saunas.
In laying out the goal she seeks to accomplish, Soucie asks, “How are we helping people in their homes think about their health and well-being as well as creating a beautiful place to live?”
One of the lasting influences of hit shows like “Succession” was an obsession with “quiet luxury.” That continues to be the case in interior design, said Steve Hoedemaker, a Seattle-based architect who works with high-net-worth clients “who endeavor to not be very showy with wealth.”
Hoedemaker said he seeks to be open-minded in his approach, uses local woods like fir and cedar and focuses on “creating something that feels so subtly elegant that at first glance it’s not braggadocious; but in term of the level of thought, detail and consideration, it’s a joy to inhabit.”
Quiet luxury also incorporates features such as neutral colors, layered lighting and the use of items such as handmade ceramics and woven textiles.
Safe spaces
Another design feature that has made a comeback since the pandemic brought families together is a second kitchen, which works less as a functional space and more as a social hub for family and friends to gather around.
At the more extreme end are imaginative features that Al Corbi, the founder of SAFE (Strategically Armored and Fortified Environments), has designed for wealthy clients concerned about safety and security.
Recently, for a client whose home sits on 200 acres of wooded property, Corbi designed a 30-foot-deep moat with a swing bridge, water cannons and a layer of flammable liquid that can be remotely ignited to create a ring of fire. He also has built underground escape tunnels that contain rifle ranges and double as go-cart tracks.
“It's about security and creativity. if you’re going to be able to survive underground,” Corbi said, “we want you to be having fun.”