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// „Luxury is pointless without the means to afford it“ //
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Signs of Luxury in Residential Interiors
It is a challenge to write about luxury, even when it is to be defined only in relation to the environment we inhabit – HOME.
This is because clichés make it synonymous with being available to a few, which is a function of the conjuncture. And in general, society is sensitive to this privilege and reacts with a certain negativity. This is not only a Bulgarian phenomenon.
The meaning of the word luxury, as well as its synonyms, do not deserve this attitude.
If the following quotes and reasoning are considered, I am convinced that everyone will understand that they are not forced to stand under the “common denominator” of imposed mantras.
“...money is only a means to an end. If a person wants them for personal needs – to invest in their skill, to create, to explore, to travel, to enjoy luxury – they are completely moral. But people who put money first go very far.”
Luxury is a limited enterprise. These people strive for show: to express themselves, to amaze, to entertain, to impress others. Such people are second-hand."
In a context of home, this quote from Ayn Rand can be paraphrased as follows:
Luxury should be approached with care. It should be the result of personal desire and necessity. A belief that it will bring not only personal satisfaction. Because if this makes people "gape," envy, or blindly imitate, then these people are unhappy.
A luxurious home should fill us with joy, harmony, positive coexistence, and social comfort. To be "friends" with the elements of the furnishings and "cooperative" with the devices that facilitate its habitation. Such an interior gives the feeling of chic.
Luxury is meaningless if there is no one who can afford it.
In all eras, as well as in ours, there is someone who can afford it. But whom do we remember: those who created it and those who lived in it?
The first are "geniuses." And we are grateful to the latter for being (being) patrons of perfection, which if achieved with "clean money" carries the karma of aesthetic criteria with which we evaluate BEAUTY.
But there are also thirds who do not have their own focus on luxury. They copy foreign ideals. And with some "other money" they become a conductor of plagiarism and fetishism. Unconditionally accept foreign luxury and experience blind worship.
In contemporary conditions, people are easily manipulated by PR and advertising, following models of imitation. They are consumers of brands, and they are the target audience for brokering ads such as: "Luxurious, four-bedroom apartment for sale, furnished with Fendi and Valentino." Here, I protest and agitate: when it comes to your home interior, do not turn it into a parody, do not allow yourself to lose your identity, and with it, money. You will live in an "ephemeral luxury" that can more accurately be defined as "bad kitsch." (Here, I will not dwell on kitsch or the oxymoron "ugly beauty").
Always keep in mind your budget and stage of possibilities, and be content with the maxim: "I can afford this luxury." And I am sure of one thing: in this case, your home interior will probably be able to be defined as CHIC.
Philip Starck, a French designer, has said that "luxury is intelligence and quality, and I see neither in it when it is used to make quick and easy money." This statement suggests that luxury is not simply about material possessions, but rather about the intelligence and creativity that go into creating something truly special.
Umberto Eco, an Italian semiotician, has written that "beauty is a quality that we often use to describe something that we like. In this sense, beauty seems to be equivalent to good." This statement suggests that beauty is not simply a matter of personal preference, but rather something that is inherently valuable.
I agree with both Starck and Eco that beauty is a form of good. Beauty can bring us joy, inspiration, and a sense of well-being. It can also help us to connect with others and create a more harmonious world.
When we choose to surround ourselves with beauty, we are making a statement about our values. We are saying that we believe that beauty is important, and that it can make our lives better. Intelligent choice is essential when it comes to creating a beautiful environment. We should choose objects that are both beautiful and functional, and that will bring us joy for years to come.
In his book "The History of Beauty," Umberto Eco discusses the four principles of beauty that were inscribed on the walls of the Temple of Delphi: "The most correct is the most beautiful," "Observe the mean," "Despise arrogance," and "Nothing in excess." These principles form the basis of the Hellenic sense of beauty.
Today, we do not have the right to dispute these principles. In fact, we can apply them to luxury as well. Luxury is directly related to beauty.
One synonym for luxury is comfort. Comfort is associated with many things, including space, functionality, and convenience. In the context of interior design, I would highlight three characteristics of comfort:
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Space: Comfort requires sufficient space to move around and relax.
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Functionality: Comfort also requires that the space be functional and meet the needs of the occupants.
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Convenience: Comfort is enhanced by convenience, such as easy access to amenities and appliances.
The last two characteristics of comfort can be achieved even in limited spaces. I have seen many good examples of this.
Luxury, beauty, and comfort are all interrelated. When these elements are combined in a well-designed interior, the result is a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Optimal comfort and sophisticated interior elegance are two key elements of modern luxury. However, I would argue that luxury also requires "comfortable" spatial characteristics.
The term “smart home” is well-known, and everyone understands what it means: control, convenience, security. I am willing to debate the boundaries that a person must set in order to not lose their favorite habits and independence. However, I do not dispute that hi-tech innovations and their products with “human qualities” are characteristic of home luxury.
The famous designer Philippe Starck once said, “My juicer is not designed to squeeze lemons, its purpose is to start a conversation.” What does this mean? It means that luxury is not just about having the latest gadgets and technology. It is about creating a space that is both beautiful and functional, and that encourages interaction and connection.
In my opinion, there are four key characteristics of luxury in the smart home:
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Sleekness
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Beauty
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Comfort
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Innovation
Luxury is a complex concept that is influenced by both external and internal factors. In order to fully understand luxury, it is important to be aware of these factors, as well as to be able to identify the furniture, decoration, and art that have accompanied luxury throughout its history.
In this article, I have not provided a comprehensive definition of "chic". Therefore, my next article will be titled "Where Chic Ends, Luxury Begins".