Joie de vivre – or embracing our joy of living again

Joie de vivre translates to the “joy of living.” After a two-year hiatus, it is time we do just that. With warmer weather and the world reopening, now is the perfect time for reconnecting socially, re-evaluating our daily lives and habits, and refreshing our interior spaces.

When the pandemic hit, we made rapid changes to our live/work environments. Many were forced to create multi-purpose living spaces to adapt. Our interiors became our sanctuaries, our offices, classrooms and workout spaces. People worldwide have been reflecting on how they can create spaces that feed their ambition, inspire them to be better, and make them feel happy. My belief is that our collective experiences will take us back to a more simplistic, organic, health-oriented way of living and designing the spaces around us.

Spring is a natural time to redefine the meaning of condo living and revamp interior spaces to accommodate personal needs and a new post-pandemic lifestyle.

The psychology of colour

Colour, texture and materials play a significant role in our psychology and mental health. Colours can be incorporated into existing interiors in different ways: A fresh coat of paint; adding new throw pillows; changing a rug; or adding different artwork. With a shift in colour palettes from cool greys to warm earth tones, new materials are trending. A favourite of ours is tambour, which we are seeing in furniture, case goods, kitchens and accent walls. Tambour can be painted or stained to accommodate any style.

The art of balancing multi-functional spaces

Freestanding partitions and moveable divider walls are a great solution for multi-purpose living spaces. Sound-proofing panels have become trendy as they are great for Zoom rooms and workspaces. Lighting is another important aspect of transforming your multi-functional space. Warm light is easier on the eyes and creates a cosier ambience at night. Bright white task lighting is great during the day. A dimmer switch is an easy way to accommodate different lighting levels required throughout the day.

A more minimalistic mindset through art

Opting for minimalistic pieces and neutral tones is another design trend being embraced this year. Line art, which has been around for thousands of years and was heavily influenced by great artists such as Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, is making a strong comeback. While its organic nature and simplicity may seem primitive, it is a powerful expression of creativity. Other types of trending art include textured and abstract canvases with neutral colours, and minimalistic decor items such as ceramic vases, stone frames, wooden side and coffee tables.

Furniture trends

Furniture trends this spring are curvaceous and have clean, modern lines, with textured and natural fabrics. Fully upholstered furniture is in every showroom; however, with demand at an all-time high, current furniture lead times can be anywhere from six months to a year. As a result, vintage finds are trending. We are also seeing a lot of creative DIY art, upholstery and refinishing happening. Embrace your creative side.

Seasons of change are upon us. How are you going to adapt your space during this exciting time of renewal? Interior design is a powerful tool for transforming our interiors – and possibly even our everyday lives, so that we can embrace our Joie de Vivre again.