Christie's International Real Estate's Luxury Defined surveyed the experts, the architects, the designers, and even the influencers on glossy websites and magazines to glean the top trends emerging for interior design in 2024.
Change is afoot, according to Houzz, whose design experts predict a shift away from cool, pure-color hues and toward the warmer tints and tones of cream, beige, and, in particular, shades of brown “to provide a calmer, more welcoming environment.” Last year, the online marketplace and interior design site 1stDibs predicted brown would make a bold statement in 2024.
The past is ever-present, especially in 2024’s trend to fuse design elements from different time periods. Yes, indeed, the Seventies are back—if we’re carefully pairing iconic decor from the 1870s with 20th-century counterparts. These blended period revivals, according to Elle Decor, bring the “appeal of handmade furnishings” into the 21st century.
Which takes us to another hot trend: dark wood paneled walls to create warmth and intimacy. Voguequotes designer Robin Standefer: ”It is a typology that instantly takes you from traditional to modern…”
In stark contrast to the evocation of nature, 2024 designs will highlight the top tier of the period table of elements: the metals. Their many dazzling forms—glistening chrome and silver accents, the sheen of ductile aluminum, the rectilinear strength of structural iron and steel. … Is this a nod to Art Deco? Bauhaus? Retrofuturism?
As Architectural Digest so archly observes: “That’s So Metal.” Luxury Defined thus modestly proffers a portfolio of homes that showcase five of 2024’s hottest trends in interior design.
1. Villa NEO in Saint Barthélemy, French West Indies
Interior Design Trend: “Metal”
Metal, in its myriad forms, colors and textures, is an integral element of Villa NEO, an ultra-contemporary aerie on the French Caribbean island of St Barths.
Villa NEO, one of the largest and most exclusive homes in Saint Barthélemy, was designed by Patrick Raffeneau, founder of PRD Interior Design and Architecture. Its futuristic glass façade and otherworldly metallic forms evoke its namesake, Neo, sci-fi hero of “The Matrix” movies.
Raffeneau’s avant garde touches align interior and exterior environments. Metal and glass amplify the ever-changing light of the day and hour. Of particular note are the spheroidal metal light fixtures; labyrinthine, metal-paneled walls; and, by the poolside, a full-size, sculpted steel palm tree. The entrance to the ultra-contemporary 9,536-square-foot villa is a floating glass staircase, a work of art in itself, with a waterfall as the backdrop.
Among other highlights are a soundproof nightclub, cinema room, gym, hammam, and 95-foot-long infinity pool—one of the largest residential pools on the island. But the star attraction is the sweeping vista over palm-clad hillsides to the Bay of Saint Jean, and out to the Caribbean Sea.
2. Grade II-Listed Duplex Apartment on Cadogan Square, London
Interior Design Trend: “A Fusion of Different Time Periods”
Artisanal craftsmanship, timeless materials, and powerful artworks converge at this boldly reimagined Grade II-listed apartment on London’s prestigious Cadogan Square.
This five-bedroom duplex apartment is in a Grade II-listed building on Cadogan Square, a most esteemed address in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge district, home of the elegant and expensive, whether retail or residential. Known for his future-focused, sustainable designs, celebrated architect Viktor Udzenija reimagined the interiors with his distinctive, sensual use of traditional materials, while retaining the apartment’s period character. The bespoke touches and artisanal finishes begin at the hand-crafted front door, flowing to the entrance hall with its 3D Bardiglio sculpted marble curtain and Versailles-patterned lacquered wood floor.
The stained-glass windows in the kitchen/breakfast space and sitting room were custom-made by Studio Job Gallery, which also designed the steel shutters in the dining room. An elegant drawing room with an open fireplace, a formal dining room, media lounge, and the principal bedroom suites round out the main floor.
The lower ground floor has been designed to create further living space with en suite bedrooms, large study/office, and a sitting room with French doors onto a charming garden patio.
3. Maliview in Malibu, California
Interior Design Trend: “Mix-and-Match Materials”
Maliview is a 3.95-acre equestrian estate on Mulholland Highway in the Santa Monica Mountains. Within its contemporary living spaces, rock walls, wide-plank wood floors, and live-edge maple finishes create an alluring contrast with a bold color palette.
Designed by architect Amit Apel of Apel Design Inc, this private, secluded gated estate, just 15 minutes from the surfer’s paradise of Malibu, offers 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains.
The interiors are accoutered in a bold mix of textures and colors. The focal point of the chef’s kitchen is a rustic rock wall. The beautiful finishes continue in the vast center island with a live-edge maple countertop. The dining room has a long banquette and a romantic Mediterranean arcade for alfresco dining. Just beyond is an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue and built-in bar overlooking the mountains and the sea.
Tranquil, 3.95-acre grounds offer bountiful recreation and relaxation. The infinity pool has a retractable cover and spa. There’s a horse barn with two stalls and a tack room, space for a riding arena, and direct access to Malibu’s famous Backbone Trail. The two-car garage has a 16-foot ceiling for trailers, and a dog wash/surfer’s station. There’s also ample parking for guests.
4. 30 Maroon in Aspen, Colorado
Interior Design Trend: “Wood Panels”
This contemporary mountain chalet has a warm interior accented with natural wood floors, timber-beamed ceilings, and wood-paneled walls. A custom-crafted new construction by Alpinist Ventures, 30 Maroon has an enviable Aspen address steps from Maroon Creek and the Moore open space, close to Aspen Golf Club, downtown, and all four ski mountains (Ajax, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Highlands).
This striking timber-frame home is at one with its mountain setting, creating an elemental, seamless fusion with the wooded landscape of aspen and pine. The natural elements of the exterior echo inside with old-growth timbers, wood panels, and locally fabricated architectural steel—a nod to European style and craftsmanship. Several custom-built stone fireplaces add additional warmth. Picture windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors infuse the space with fresh mountain air and frame the majesty of the Rockies.
The 5,066-square-foot floor plan has a thoughtful layout with open-concept reception rooms for entertaining, a rec room for downtime, a dream kitchen, wood-paneled wine room, mountain-view balconies, and a wraparound terrace with a fire pit and sunken hot tub.
5. Parcelas del Golf Villa in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, Spain
Interior Design Trend: “Shades of Brown”
A neutral palette of taupe and chocolate brown adds depth and dimension to the fluid, indoor-outdoor spaces of this modernist villa in Marbella. This luxurious contemporary villa has an exclusive private setting in Parcelas del Golf, a gated community in the heart of Marbella’s Golf Valley. The home is set within lush gardens fronting the fairways of the club’s Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed championship course.
Fluid interiors have a neutral palette with soothing shades of taupe and brown. The kitchen, dining, and living room offer seamless transition to the outdoor kitchen and pool terrace through hideaway glass doors
The three upper-level bedrooms are all en suite. The primary suite has a dressing room, bathroom, and private terrace with Jacuzzi. The lower level is suited to entertaining with a game room, media lounge, and cocktail bar, and features a gym, sauna, and office.