Latest Trends

The Interior Design Trends Heading Your Way In 2019

With the New Year on the horizon, we’re setting our sights on the design trends set to sweep their way onto our Instagram feeds, Pinterest boards and homes throughout 2019. The coming year promises developments of existing trends as well as brand new styles meaning there is something for every home in the year ahead. Terrazzo In a time where we are constantly bombarded with visuals, design needs to work harder to stand out from the crowd. In 2019, there is an increased focus on creating sensory and emotional responses through design – whether that be through bold colours, vibrant patterns or unusual textures. It’s no surprise then that we saw the first signs of Terrazzo making its way into homes this year. The hardwearing material is being used on everything from flooring to kitchen surfaces and shows no sign of losing popularity throughout 2019. Pinterest pins with the term “terrazzo” are up by more than 300% on last year. What is terrazzo? Terrazzo is a composite material, consisting of marble, glass, granite or even wood, set in cement or resin. Originally from Italy, terrazzo was used for floor and wall treatments, but due to the endless possibilities of colour, pattern and finish, it has become a popular material used in other areas of the home too. Despite this sudden surge in popularity, terrazzo has actually been around for years - centuries in fact. Originating in 15th-century Italy, it was used for flooring in grand palazzos. Many may recognise it from the 1970s where it was often used on the floors of school and train stations. Now the composite material has been given a new lease of life. Why is terrazzo making a comeback? Coined as the new marble, Terrazzo is now frequently used for kitchen countertops thanks to its hardwearing properties. Terrazzo is made with chips of marble, quartz, granite and even glass set into concrete or clay. The chips come in many sizes and colour combinations – from monochrome patterns to vibrant colours allowing for a myriad of design possibilities. This wide variety of options means it can be incorporated into almost any style of home, from pastel-hued bathrooms to sleek, monochrome kitchens. Its beauty is also anything but skin deep - the pattern goes all the way down, so it can be scuffed for centuries and still repolished to rescue its original beauty. While the base is usually made from concrete (not a material typically considered to be good for the environment) ­the rest can be up to 80% recycled material. Recycled plastics and resins in a spectrum of colours are often used for the flecks as well as waste collected from the stone and marble industries. Tom Dixon's Terrazzo Candle is an easy way to add the texture to your home How can you use terrazzo in your home? Terrazzo is most commonly used for kitchen top or bathroom surfaces, adding a quirky, colourful feel to a space. If you’re not quite committed to the idea of terrazzo for your surfaces, introduce it through soft furnishings and home accessories instead. Little touches of terrazzo add personality and pops of colour, breaking up monochrome colour schemes in a subtle way. Our ever popular Bristol range is available in a white terrazzo finish, and the Terrazzo candle by Tom Dixon makes for the perfect gift. Similarly, the Mini Cut cushions by Ferm Living are an easy way to introduce the trend to your home. The Bristol Table Lamp in a white Terrazzo finish Mid-Century Italian Design The new year is a time to set goals, make resolutions and set our sights on the future. But one of the key interior trends for 2019 is all about looking back. Our love of mid-century design has been prevalent for many years, but 2019 will see us looking to a different mid-century movement for inspiration – the classic luxury of 50s and 60s Italian design. The trend is all about embracing and reinventing the highly stylised design movements of the mid-20th century and incorporating them into the luxurious interiors of today. The Hepburn sofa What does mid-century Italian design look like? Many will be familiar with the work of Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, and Eero Sarinen who are closely associated with iconic design from the 50s and 60s. They placed an emphasis on function and form, with a simple and uncomplicated aesthetic. In comparison, mid-century Italian furniture is known for its beautiful colours, fine craftsmanship and luxurious materials. Shapes are often simple but have a feeling of old world elegance about them. This look has been updated for the modern day – 1960s inspired colour clashes are encouraged with burnt red, peach, hazelnut and navy acting as the main hues. Dark walls form a dramatic backdrop to these sophisticated colour combinations. Materials are on the dark side too with a preference for walnut over oak as well as green and brown toned marble as an alternative to traditional white. Clashing colours bring mid-century Italian design into the modern age. Image credit: Vogue Why is it making a comeback? For many years, Scandinavia has been the place to look for cutting-edge interior design. But with people now looking to express their individuality through different avenues, the home is seeing a shift from bright whites to moody hues, from simple materials to more luxe styles. The exaggerated curves and luxurious finishes of mid-century Italian design has been given new life, creating clean and modern spaces that are also moody and immersive. Dubbed the new minimalism, it’s easy to see the appeal. How can you get mid-century Italian style in your home? The key to this trend is to opt for designs that have an almost sculpture-like quality. Clean lines, elegant shapes and luxurious finishes create the sophisticated, elegant aesthetic synonymous with mid-century Italian design. The Clay Round Table by Desalto was designed by prominent Milan designer, Marc Krusin. Each piece is hand finished with lava from Mount Etna using only a pallet knife. The circular top of the table balances, precariously, on top of a conical base adding a feel of refined drama. The Disc Side Table features a dark green or brown marble top, as opposed to traditional white, making it an incredibly chic option for homes looking to channel the trend. The Clay Round table is finished with lava from Mount Etna Responsible Design Responsible Design was a recurring theme throughout the shows of London Design Festival 2018 and it’s set to get an increased focus throughout 2019 and beyond. Plastic was nominated as the material of the year by the London Design Fair with designers elevating the possibilities of waste plastics and championing support for plastic alternatives. At time when the planet is on the brink of disrepair, homeowners are carefully considering the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. It’s no longer desirable to buy off the shelf - instead, a ‘waste not want not’ mentality is creeping its way into interior design. Reclaiming, reusing and recycling is becoming the norm. Tala's lighting designs are both beautiful and sustainable What does Responsible Design look like? Responsible design has come a long way over the last 10 years. Innovation and experimentation has led to impressive material dupes that are indistinguishable from the real thing. Items made from recycled materials no longer look ‘eco’ meaning that responsible design isn’t restricted to any one style. It’s all about the materials, the processes and ultimately the environmental impact that the production of a design has. Responsible design can be applied to everything from furniture to lighting to homewares making it increasingly easy to buy items for your home that have a low carbon footprint. From the use of natural pigments through to unconventional discarded materials, expect to see much more responsible design heading to our homes. How can I make my home more sustainable? An easy place to start is your lighting where a number of brands are committed to reducing their environmental impact. Tala produce striking, contemporary bulbs inspired by nature. Not only are their designs exceptionally beautiful but they are efficient as well. They select methods and materials on their environmental impact, and remain committed to reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere. They also donate a percentage of their revenue to reforestation programmes in the UK, US and around the world. Tom Raffiel's Wheal Noctis range is exclusive to Heal'sIn a similar vein, Tom Raffield puts responsible design at the heart of everything he does. From his sustainably sourced timber to his efficient design processes, no scrap of wood is wasted in producing the recognisable wooden designs. Drawing on techniques that are altogether friendlier towards the environment, like natural air-drying and steam bending their timber, he is able to lessen the impact on the very thing that inspires him– the natural world. Greenery Another current trend carrying on into 2019 is the explosion of greenery and patterned foliage that has found its way into every unused corner of our homes. According to the Flowers & Plants Association, the UK’s flower and indoor plant market is now worth £2.2bn and the National Garden Survey reports that 30% of all US householders bought at least one houseplant this year. https://www.instagram.com/p/BoDW8snj_fC/?taken-by=melissamlo Why have indoor plants become so popular? Increased population density and urbanisation has resulted in smaller homes, especially in London where many of the city’s dwellers are lucky to have any green space of their own. The issue extends beyond the capital - almost 31.4% of properties on the market across the UK’s towns and cities don’t have a garden. Indoor house plants are an easy way to feed the desire for more natural surroundings. They provide a way to personalise your home and express individuality, as well as inject colour, pattern and scent. They are also linked to the nation’s greater focus on health and wellbeing, and are confirmed to improve household air quality. Which houseplant should I choose? For beginners, plants that need minimal care a great place to start. Aloe, Snake plants and cacti require little to no upkeep – a splash of water every fortnight is usually enough to keep them alive. Other varieties such as Monstera, Calathea and fiddle-leaf fig need slightly more care and attention but have proved incredibly popular over the last year, adding splashes of green to many styles of home. This indoor greenhouse by Design House Stockholm is perfect for homes with no outside space However, 2019 ushers in a new variety of indoor greenery: the fern. As urban gardeners grow in confidence they want to invest in larger, statement plants that make styling more effective. Ferns are leafy, luscious and help create the illusion of height. Look out for Chamaedorea and the Kentia Palm in the most stylish homes next year.

Influencer Edits

Melissa Hemsley Takeover: Monday Miso Bowl

We've teamed up with Melissa Hemsley as part of our Heal's SPACES exhibition, a celebration of London's most pioneering women and the spaces in which they create. Melissa is the bestselling author of Eat Happy, a cookbook packed with 120 delicious, flavour-packed recipes that take no more than minutes to make. In Melissa's second guest post, she's showing us how to make a soothing, easy and restorative Miso Bowl. The perfect Monday night dinner, it's quick and easy to make and will set you up nicely for the week. If you're look for even more home cooking inspiration, find out how to make her Spanish Chickpea and Almond Stew. Be sure to visit Melissa's recreated kitchen at our Tottenham Court Road store between 11th-22nd September. - Monday Miso Bowl Ingredients Serves 4 10g (about 8 tablespoons) seaweed, such as dulse or arame 330g buckwheat noodles 1 tablespoon coconut oil 3cm piece of ginger, finely chopped or grated 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (or to taste) 1 bunch of spring onions, sliced 200g shiitake mushrooms, roughly sliced 1.2 litres stock/bone broth or water 4 eggs, at room temperature 1 cabbage (400g), shredded Miso Stir-In 2 tablespoons miso paste (or to taste) 1 tablespoon hot water Juice of ½ lemon To Serve Toasted sesame oil, for drizzling 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds ½ lemon, cut into 4 wedges Sea salt Method 1. Soak the seaweed (if using) in water according to the packet instructions, then drain, rinse in fresh water and roughly chop before setting aside. Boil the kettle. 2. Fill a saucepan with boiling water and cook the noodles according to the packet instructions until al dente (about 5 minutes instead of the usual 6–8), then drain, rinse with cold water to stop them cooking, and set aside. 3. Meanwhile, melt the oil in a second, larger saucepan over a medium-high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, chilli and white parts of the spring onions and fry for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a medium simmer to cook for 2 minutes and then add the cooked noodles back to the pan to heat through for 1 minute before removing from the heat. 5. While the mushrooms are simmering, fill the original pan with boiling water and lower the eggs into the pan. Simmer over a medium heat for 6½ minutes (for a just-runny yolk), then cool the boiled eggs under cold water, peel and halve. 6. Remove the soup pan from the heat, drop in the shredded cabbage and the soaked seaweed, then mix together the ‘miso stir-in’ in a small bowl and stir through the soup. 7. Divide the soup among four bowls, add the egg halves and top with the remaining chopped spring onions and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Sprinkle the egg halves with sea salt and black sesame seeds and serve with a lemon wedge if you wish. Extracted from Eat Happy by Melissa Hemsley (Ebury Press, £20) Photography by Issy Croker

Influencer Edits

Melissa Hemsley Takeover: Spanish Chickpea And Almond Stew

Cook and wellness guru Melissa Hemsley is the best selling author behind Eat Happy, a book that celebrates fuss-free, real food that can be made in under thirty minutes. Her passion, love and joy for food is infectious and we are thrilled to be collaborating with Melissa for our forthcoming SPACES exhibition. Melissa will be constructing her own kitchen - the space that inspires her the most and where she spends much of her time honing her craft. In the first of her guest blogs, Melissa shows us how to whip up a hearty and comforting Spanish Chickpea and Almond Stew. Using store cupboard staples and spinach from the freezer, this Seville-inspired stew comes together in under 20 minutes and is a hit with everyone. Spanish Chickpea and Almond Stew Ingredients Serves 4 3 tablespoons chopped or flaked almonds 1.5 tablespoons butter or ghee 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large red or orange pepper, deseeded and chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 large handful of fresh parsley, stalks finely chopped and leaves roughly chopped 1 tablespoon tomato puree 2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes 2 x 400g tins of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 100ml stock/bone broth or water (optional) 250g spinach 1 tablespoon lemon juice Sea salt and black pepper Extra-virgin olive oil, to serve Spices 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Method 1. In a large, deep frying pan, toast the almonds over a medium heat for just under a minute until golden, then set aside. Melt the butter in the hot pan, add the onion and pepper and fry for 6 minutes until starting to soften. 2. Add the garlic, spices and parsley stalks and fry for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent them from burning, then add the tomato purée and cook for another 30 seconds. 3. Tip the tinned tomatoes into the pan, turn up the heat to a medium simmer and cook for 15 minutes, uncovered, to thicken and reduce. Add the chickpeas and cook for another 3 minutes with a lid on. If you want the stew to be more soup-like, add the stock. 4. Turn up the heat, drop in the spinach and cook for 1 minute, covered with the lid, then add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. 5. Serve each bowl with a good drizzle of olive oil and with the parsley leaves and toasted almonds scattered over. Extracted from Eat Happy by Melissa Hemsley (Ebury Press, £20) Photography by Issy Croker

In People’s Homes

Heal's Spaces: Annie Sloan's Tips For Choosing Paint

Colour can be transformative, both in terms of how it makes a home look but also how it makes you feel. It’s a way to express your personal style and change the entire mood of a room. Because it is so transformative, many struggle to make a decision and will often play it safe and stick to neutral tones. We sat down with Annie Sloan, one of the world’s most respected colour and paint experts, to discuss her own experience with decorating her workspace. Annie has never been afraid of colour and often errs of the side of adventure when it comes to choosing a hue. We’ve also teamed up with Annie as part of our SPACES exhibition, a celebration of London’s most pioneering women and the spaces in which they create. Annie is recreating her studio in the windows of our Tottenham Court Road which you can explore from 11th- 22nd September. How to choose paint for your walls Annie’s new workspace gave her the opportunity to have her writing area and studio in the same building, allowing her ideas to flow from one to the other for the first time. The space was large and uncluttered but with varying levels of light throughout, presenting a challenge when it came to choosing colour. Her writing area was unusual, as it had no outside windows – just one large window that looked into the studio making for quite a dark room with little natural light. “Painting the walls light and bright could have been an answer, but this is a contemplative space, somewhere I can concentrate. I wanted somewhere that would really be a place to be ‘me’. Somewhere quiet, calm and tranquil. So I chose to paint all the walls Napoleonic Blue and even I was a little nervous, as we were half way through. The room started to look a bit too dark but I persevered, as I knew it would be good in the end, especially with the right lighting.” Annie Sloan's Napoleonic Blue The rich, deep blue created the perfect work environment for Annie to write. They key was to pick a warm-hued blue that had red undertones in it rather than green to keep things cosy rather than cold. “The atmosphere is beautifully tranquil. The deep blue walls have no horizon and seem to go on forever. Yet the room is cosy and comfortable.” Annie’s also in favour of creating your own colour if you know exactly what you’re after. Her advice? “Start out by mixing different paints together with your fingers on paper or making small quantities in a paint tray. Use teaspoons and half teaspoons of the different paints to create the desired colour – is it a lot of white with a little bit of colour or equal amounts? Once you have determined the ratio of colours, you can then go on to make larger quantities, using this as a guideline.” How to choose paint for furniture A fresh lick of paint on an old piece of furniture can breathe new life into it. When it came to furnishing her new office space, Annie wanted to be a bit more adventurous. The first thing to consider was her desk – the place where she would be spending the most time. “An obvious choice would have been to do the piece in just plain Old White or Pure, but I wanted something less contrasting and I also wanted to be a little more adventurous. My personal style is quite bohemian, as I like to have some positive colour and also to push the boundaries a bit.” Instead she chose to mix her own. Having made a drawing of her desk, she started to colour it in with dabs of colours that she thought would go well together. “I love blue and green together, particularly Antibes and Napoleonic Blue, so I started with this adding some Duck Egg and Provence. Then I thought a tiny bit of some bright hot colour could be added. A little red and orange goes a long way too.” Annie settled on Duck Egg Blue lightened with a little Pure for the desk top, leaving her with a clean canvas that wasn’t too dark against the wall, but not so light that it contrasted. She then added splashes of other colours, ensuring she struck the right balance between the different shades. “I tried Antibes lightened and darkened, I tried Graphite, I tried some Burgundy, even but nothing really made me feel comfortable. It was all too busy and colourful, so I decided on few colours and made more of Olive. It’s a wonderful neutral type of colour and it has a quietness with the Duck Egg. I was happy with the small hot spots of Barcelona and lightened Burgundy. It just needed the right balance.” It’s always best to paint in the daylight and make up the colours in the room that you are planning to use them in. The quality of the light can make a huge difference to how the paint will appear, and you may need to adjust your colour mix to make it lighter, brighter, or darker. And finally... Annie’s final words of wisdom - “When working with colour, I have always erred on the side of adventure and, as a result, I have made a lot of mistakes! However, that is the way we all learn, and the great advantage with paint is that it can be reapplied so easily.” So if you find yourself hankering after bold hues, give it a try. Just be sure to test the colours in your room first, taking changes in light throughout the day into account. Annie’s recreated workshop will be available to explore at our Tottenham Court Road store from the 11th-22nd September as part of our SPACES campaign.

Latest Trends

The Return Of Maximalism

Maximalism is back. For several years, we’ve embraced the popular minimalist design trend. From Mid-Century modern to Scandi to Japandi, we’ve seen muted colours, clean lines and pared-back style in homes worldwide. It was only a matter of time before the tables turned. Minimalism isn’t going anywhere, but we’re excited to see the rise of the next big design trend – the return of maximalism. What is Maximalism? Maximalism is characterized by mixing diverse aesthetics, shapes, colours, textures and finishes. If minimalism is about restraint, maximalism is about excess. ‘Less is more’ becomes ‘more is more.’ Maximalism has its roots in late 1970s visual culture, when Neo-expressionism emerged in response to the sleek minimalism of 1960s art and design. As an aesthetic, it’s seen in art, film, literature, fashion and more. Maximalist interior design is playful and daring, pushing the boundaries of traditional décor. Stripes and fur coexist with metallics and natural wood. Orderly gives way to ornate. Clean lines get twisted and turned. It’s a mish-mash of prints, a clash of styles and a riot of colours all in one room – somehow balanced and beautiful rather than overwhelming. When done right, maximalism offers a lush, layered and cosy retreat from the outside world, and a space that is truly one’s own. Creating Maximalist Interiors Whether you’re a strict minimalist who wants to mix things up or a hardcore maximalist looking to expand, here are six elements to incorporate maximalism into your home: Intention Is Everything It can be tempting to think of maximalism as ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ decorating. That’s not the case. Simply putting every colour, pattern and style you’ve ever liked into one room won’t deliver a stylish look. Intention is what separates maximalism from madness. Careful curation, a discerning eye and the tiniest bit of restraint will allow maximalism’s mismatched beauty to shine. Employ key design elements like symmetry and motifs to stop the room from descending into chaos. Symmetry brings a sense of balance and cohesion, while motifs help to connect the dots in a busy space and draw your eyes naturally from one area to the next. This living room, filled with pieces by Timothy Oulton, has a maximal aesthetic but has used a restrained colour palette and similar materials. Bold Colours In maximalist décor, a plain white wall is a missed opportunity. Nothing draws attention more than bright hues and vibrant tones. Don’t be afraid of introducing bold colours into your home – it’s one of the easiest ways to decorate in maximalist style. The right colour scheme is hugely important in a maximalist space. Choose complementary or analogous colours or stick to a monochromatic palette to avoid a cartoonish look. For example, several shades of purple – plum, lavender, violet, mauve – can pull a room together, while a mix of blues, greens and yellows will bring harmony to a space. A bold splash of terracotta brightens up this room in a restrained maximal style They may seem simple, but black and white can also be a bold colour choice for a maximalist space. Contrasting and graphic, they can anchor a room, opening it up to whatever wild design choices you want. Paint is the most obvious way to embrace colour – a well-placed accent wall or a whole room saturated in a brilliant shade. Sofas and chairs are another great option for adding smaller bursts of colour that act as focal points. Choose whatever colours suit your fancy, from earthy terracottas and royal blues to luminous yellows and vivid magentas. Magnificent Patterns Pattern is a great way to amp up the visual exuberance of a maximalist interior. Floral damasks, polka dots, stripes, brushstrokes, check, abstract shapes – there are endless options. Layer similar patterns in different scales or mix contrasting ones in complementary colours for maximum drama. Wallpaper is an easy area for adding wild prints, as is fabric. A sofa covered in a striking fabric, like our Pendel 2 Seater in the Nympheus Linen print, makes a strong addition to a living room or bedroom. The Pendel sofa upholstered in this maximal fabric shows an egret sheltering under lotus leaves as kingfishers fly above. Decorating with patterned rugs is another great way to incorporate print. Choose a rug with bright geometric shapes or whimsical abstract patterns for a vibrant statement piece. Gandia Blasco makes beautiful maximalist rugs inspired by various visual references, including Middle-eastern Kilim weaving, stained glass windows and Valencian ceramic tiles. You can also add flourishes of pattern in more subtle ways. A patterned lampshade enlivens any lamp, while Mia Sarosi’s ceramic tableware brings an unexpected jolt of shape and colour to the table. Extravagant Textures Texture takes maximalism to the next level by mixing visual and tactile diversity. Play around with different textures, contrasting soft and fuzzy with smooth and firm to add even more textural interest. Mix and match soft furnishings with distinctive qualities, like the cosiness of fur cushions and throws with the subtle sheen of a viscose rug. Set them against a sleek marble or glass coffee table for maximum contrast. Seating is another area where you can play with texture. Ligne Roset’s Togo, Ottoman and Ploum sofas all add a dose of subtle texture to a living room. Leather sofas, with their buttery soft feel, are another option. Nothing says ‘maximalist’ quite like velvet. Mixing glamour and practicality, its lustrous finish fits perfectly in a show-stopping space. Choose a velvet sofa in a two, three or four seater style, like one from our Wallis, Balmoral or Richmond collections. For the bedroom, the Wallis bed or the Balmoral bed add a big punch of velvet to the space. Curated Collections Another hallmark of maximalism, collections are the perfect way to turn hoarding into an asset. You can collect anything – books, magazines, sculptures, tiles, boxes, photos, knick-knacks, coins or whatever else you like. Choose something you’re passionate about and something that has a strong visual appeal. Collect colourful tableware to create a characterful collection. Then, display your collection in the right way. Whether in the hallway or in the living room, a collections works best when it can be seen, but doesn’t get in the way. Use smart shelving options to organise your wares, or have items like records or t-shirts framed for a gallery wall. Once you display all the items together, they work as a family of objects and add pizazz to any room. Standout Homewares For a truly maximalist space, you need a few stunning homeware pieces – pieces that everyone comments on when they enter the space, pieces that have the ‘wow’ factor, pieces that elevate the everyday object into a work of art. For this, look to designers with unusual and arresting aesthetics. Tom Dixon’s lighting delivers major impact. One of Britain’s most acclaimed industrial designers, his pendant lights and chandeliers are the definition of eye-catching. With pioneering techniques in etching, glassblowing and more, it’s no wonder his work has been acquired by museums around the world. Another Tom in the world of lighting design, Tom Raffield crafts one-of-a-kind pieces by steam-bending wood. His pendant and floor lights are as beautiful in form as they are practical in function. Every piece is made in his Cornish workshop with sustainably-sourced wood. A clock by Vitra is another standout home accessory. George Nelson’s iconic 1950s designs for the brand have stood the test of time, capturing the joie de vivre of that era with a quirky twist. Choose clocks in the shape of sunbursts, sunflowers, stars, asterisks, eyes, owls and more. Timothy Oulton is another exceptional British designer whose work is singular in its point of view. Inspired by his father’s antiques business, he reimagines timeless pieces to be relevant today. His work ranges from classic dining chairs upholstered in wild velvet prints to side tables made from raw driftwood suspended in acrylic.

In People’s Homes

How Technology Is Changing Our Homes

While design trends wax and wane over time, there’s been one change in the 20th century that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere: technology. From microwaves and the internet to baby monitors and washing machines, technology has consistently changed the way we use our homes. Each new piece of technology brings murmurs of revolution. Washing machines and dishwashers have made time-consuming household tasks easier, and microwaves mean ready meals and leftovers can be heated to perfection in mere minutes. In the last few years, impossibly smart new additions have entered the market. Tablets, smart home assistants and e-readers have seen a huge a rise in popularity. While previous technological advances have made household tasks easier, these new pieces of technology are fundamentally changing the way we use our homes. We consider how four pieces of newer technology are impacting the way we live in this new digital age and whether certain pieces of furniture are set for extinction. Home Office – The iPad and Laptop The home office is more important now than ever. With so many people working from home, freelancing, starting their own businesses and participating in the gig economy, a workspace at home is essential. Internet-enabled, portable devices, like iPads and laptops, allow our work to move with us – even within our homes. A bed, a sofa, a comfy chair, a rug spread out on a balcony – today’s home office can be anywhere. The classic study room with a traditional desk and chair is no longer the only vision. These devices afford us a flexibility that was impossible with desktop computers and difficult with pen and paper. The Orson Desk by Matthew Hilton But desks aren’t going extinct. From Jane Austen’s tiny 12-sided walnut table where she wrote her famous novels to the trendy standing desks of entrepreneurs today, so much of the world’s great work has happened – and will continue to happen – at desks. Whether it’s an iconic design like the colourful, curvy Vitra desk or Matthew Hilton’s minimalist modern oak desk, a beautiful, functional desk will always have a place in the home. Designating a room in the house as an office may be a thing of the past, as the home office is interpreted much more broadly nowadays. However, whether using your mobile device from a comfy armchair or working with a laptop on an elegant desk, there will always be a need for a productive workspace. Home Library – The Kindle When the Kindle debuted in 2007, it heralded the end of physical books. E-books were the future and libraries faced extinction: why have a library at home when you could carry one in your pocket? People predicted that books would become relics of another era, nostalgic reminders of the pre-digital age. Fast-forward more than a decade and physical books are still going strong. Rather than continue their decline, book sales have plateaued in recent years. Roughly one in three books nowadays is a digital one, leaving lots of physical copies to go around. So what does this mean for the home library? Or even the humble bookshelf? While some people have done away with their book collections entirely, others still exalt their physical copies. For some people, the sheer tactile pleasure of reading a physical book will never be replaced, no matter how many new Kindle editions come out. Seeing ink on paper, turning dog-eared pages, that new book smell – those things matter. Those people will always want a collection of physical books in their home – favourites they’ve read, sentimental ones, ones gifted from friends, or ones on their to-read list. A bookshelf will always be a key element in their home. The Stacked Storage System by Muuto Even for those who have adopted the Kindle, bookshelves remain important – to be filled with a few display-worthy books and decorative objects. Framed photos, scented candles, holiday souvenirs and pieces of art have always had a place on our shelves, and that isn’t likely to change. Living Room – Netflix TV once anchored the living room – from the boxy TV sets of the 1960s to the big flat screen TVs of the 1990s. People gathered around it to watch morning cartoons, nightly news, and the latest episodes of their favourite shows at a set time each week. If you missed a moment, you had to wait for a re-run; if you wanted a snack, you had to wait for a commercial break. Enter Netflix. With the launch of its streaming service in 2007, television and movies became available online and on demand. And as more streaming services entered the market and more devices became available to stream on, TVs faded in prominence. Watching a show together on the living room sofa was replaced with watching alone on your laptop or mobile phone. Despite this change, TV is still a central element of the home for a growing number of people. Many people still have TVs in their living rooms, where they watch live sports events, play video games and stream shows and movies. In 2017, more than a third of UK homes had a smart TV set, which can connect to a Netflix or other streaming service account. That number has been on the rise, which might indicate that the TV is once again becoming the centre of the home, as streaming on demand becomes more common and the available hardware adapts to that demand. Room designed by Bhavin Taylor Design With or without TVs, the living room retains its importance. For young flatmates and families with children, the living room is still the place to be social, spend time together and host gatherings. People still curl up on the sofa for a nap or have friends over for drinks around their coffee table. If anything, Netflix has changed bedrooms more than living rooms. People can spend hours binge-watching alone or with their partners in bed - a time they may have previously spent in other rooms of the house. Whether Netflix is watched from the sofa or the bed, the living room is still a place where people gather to relax and unwind, even if they have their mobiles in hand. Kitchen and Living Room – Smart Home Assistants One of the most recent pieces of technology to enter the home is the smart home assistant. Amazon’s Alexa, the Google Home and a host of other devices have made their way into our living rooms and kitchens. It’s made these rooms more interactive and multi-tasking friendly, freeing up hands, time and mental energy. Most people who own smart home assistants use them as part of their daily routine. They check commute times and the weather, they set alarms and reminders, and they play music on command. They’re changing the way we go about our daily lives, allowing us to get information quickly and become more efficient. Google has also reported that “people are engaging with their voice-activated speakers as if they were human and using it feels like talking to a friend, or at least another person.” Words like ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ are used when commanding smart home assistants. It could almost seem as if these devices are making our homes more human. In that way, they are changing how we interact with and relate to the physical space in our home. Perhaps they’ve also made us ask more of our homes; to be increasingly convenient, as well as comfortable and beautiful and reflecting our personalities. We want the heating to be on to the perfect temperature as soon as we walk in the door, we want shopping lists to be made for us, we want devices that respond to us. As they become more pervasive, their impact will become more and more apparent. Technology presses ever forward, and our homes evolve with it. Some things change drastically, some change slightly and others stay the same. No matter what, one thing about the home remains constant – it’s still a place to make your own, to rest and relax in, to fill with objects you love, and to spend time in with friends and family.