The Cabin: Neutral Bliss Design Trend

With an overload of technology and increasingly busy schedules, it can be hard to find the time to wind-down and relax. The one place we are able to relax is in our homes, where we feel most comfortable and free.The desire to create a space of total relaxation and calm in the home is growing in popularity around the world. The Webb & Brown-Neaves Design Team has embraced this trend, using natural products that are rich and natural in colours and giving it the simple name ‘Neutral Bliss.’

We spoke to WB Designer, Darren Grunwald about this design trend and how it can be implemented into any home.

“Neutral bliss is a design approach embracing natural beauty and imperfection with wellness and mindfulness in mind,” Darren said. “This concept can be considered as an antidote to the overload of technology and busy work schedules. It is growing in popularity as people seek a tranquil space to unwind.

”Neutral Bliss is all about evoking a sense of calm and incorporating a resort-style feel throughout the home.“The defining feature of this design trend is the use of natural products and rich, natural colours,” Darren said. “Think resort-style retreat living within your own home.”

“This design concept has evolved with the development of technology in our day-to-day lives. It is also a flip from modern design that seeks pure lines and finishes. It allows a home to have its own character.

”If you’re thinking of incorporating this design concept into your own home, Darren’s main piece of advice is to avoid over-using monochromatic colours.“Look to add depth and texture to your colour selection by stepping away from the black and white colour palette. The use of brave colours can evoke a stronger feeling of calm,” he said. “Look for tactile or reclaimed products with textures that you can see and also touch, including organic materials with textural surfaces such as stone or timber.”

“This design concept can be incorporated into one space within the home to retreat to, such as an ensuite or it can be incorporated into the entire home using natural products that age and evolve with the home.”WB’s latest display home, The Cabin, exhibits Neutral Bliss design in several ways.

“This trend can be seen in The Cabin through the use of the external face brick on the lower floor,” Darren said. “This particular reclaimed San Selmo brick has been imported from Italy and has been chosen for its mix in colour and the softness of the edges in the brick giving variety to the face finish of each wall.”“The ceiling linings in the upper floor adds texture and interest to the space, stepping away from the conventional gyprock ceiling.”

According to the WB Design Team, you can expect to see this trend everywhere this year.

“This is one of the stand-out trends the WB Design Team see developing this year along with others. It’s about bringing design back to natural beauty, showing natural materials in their pure form,” Darren said.

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