How interior design is embracing quiet luxury, timeless elegance and sustainability with Hermès, Loro Piana and Saint-Louis

As with fashion’s quiet luxury trend, the sense of opulence for a quiet luxury home is derived from the quality of the pieces.

The key to achieving this is to acquire items that are, first and foremost, well made. It’s not only about how a particular piece of furniture or decor looks, but the craftsmanship and thoughtful design that enhance its look and function.

Architect Jeff Tung, who has amassed 40 years of experience in hospitality planning, design and construction, says luxury in home design should arise from details beyond those that meet the eye.

“I believe in invisible luxury design – that touches your feelings rather than just being about what you see,” he said.

According to Tung, achieving a timeless design relies heavily on the quality of your homewares.

He recently showcased a series of photos of the latest collection of lamps from French crystal maker Saint-Louis, and believes there’s beauty in decor pieces that draw upon the heritage and artisanship of a particular craft.

“[The design of these crystal lamps has] masterfully realised a harmonious balance of form and function, seamlessly uniting elegance and practicality to elevate the entire living experience with their captivating luminescence,” Tung said.

Punctuating a living space with light sources, like Saint-Louis’ faceted crystal Folia mini lamps with a metallic or wooden finish, is a great way to get creative without the overt use of colours.

“[It’s ideal to] maintain a cohesive colour palette and harmonious colour scheme, using a mix of neutral tones accented with pops of colour, timber or metallic finishes. This creates a sense of sophistication and visual unity,” Tung added.

Creations from luxury crystal brands like Lalique and Saint-Louis – from stemware to sculpted pieces – have long been must-haves for creating a feeling of opulence at home. Pieces like the Folia lamp or Lalique’s statement crystal vases, including those from the new Rose Nebula collection, express the essence of quiet luxury: never stressing form over function.

Tung advises using high-quality fabrics and window treatments to bring added depth, texture and contrast. Carpets and rugs can add visual interest, though some homeowners may hesitate to splurge on fittings that ultimately get trampled on.

According to Tai Ping Carpets Asia design director Michelle Chu, different materials and designs help distinguish the atmosphere of different rooms. Overall, comfort and cosiness are a priority, hence soft carpets with higher pile heights such as silk or silk blend are ideal, but Chu says additional factors are key for living and dining rooms. “These areas typically experience higher foot traffic, so it’s advisable to choose carpets with greater durability,” she says. “Dense, low-pile carpets made from durable materials like wool or wool blends are suitable.”

“Luxury carpets are built to withstand the test of time,” adds Chu. “They should be made from durable materials and constructed with excellent craftsmanship. Look for carpets with high-density piles and strong backing to ensure long-lasting performance.”

Tai Ping chose quality natural fibres – including wool, silk, cashmere, jute and flex – which were undyed and naturally coloured, for its latest Biophilic collection.

Using natural materials is an underlying theme for many luxury brands that offer home furnishings and accessories as well as fashion collections.

Whether through trinkets and curiosities – like ceramic trays, wooden paperweights, and rattan and leather waste-paper baskets – or furniture like leather and wooden desks and chairs, Hermès stresses a balance of quality and design.

The house has applied the same dedication it puts into making the perfect cashmere jumper to aspects of its home collection, including a wide range of cashmere and fine wool blankets. The brand also offers tableware and glassware in its signature earthy palette.