It is, perhaps, a hallmark of the times that people have become increasingly interested in interiors, dedicating as much attention to the design of their homes as they once did their fashion choices. After all, decorating a residence is just one more way to let your personality and point of view shine. But in the age of social media, it’s little surprise that trendiness sometimes trumps creativity in the process, and the speed at which ideas are embraced and abandoned can leave true design aficionados lamenting the state of affairs.
In her new book The Alchemy of Things: Interiors Shaped by Curious Minds , Australian author and lifestyle editor Karen McCartney presents an antidote to the fast design that has seized the public imagination in a series of highly curated homes that reflect their owners’ passion for collecting and pairing unexpected, one-of-a-kind pieces. “I write about trends for a living, but it seems to me that through platforms like Instagram we are rushing through ideas and objects at the speed of light,” she says, though she acknowledges being a fan of the medium. “What is ‘in’ and highly sought-after is soon ‘out’ and people are over it, so good things get lost in the churn.”
These homes, however, seem to defy the current formula for what’s hot. “I was drawn to these spaces because the people are not looking left or right for approval—they have a devil-may-care confidence, which is incredibly appealing,” says McCartney. “What is remarkable is that they all manage to err on the side of humanity over pomposity, with a passionate attachment to the space they live in rarely defined by dollars spent.” Also appealing is the message of self-determination throughout the book. “To me the takeaway is that your interior can be anything you want it to be if you apply large doses of care and conviction,” says McCartney. “The care bit is to inform yourself and buy from a position of knowledge, and the conviction is to know yourself and stick to what pleases you.” She goes on, “What I appreciate about this style of interior is the freedom that it brings for people to truly express their passions and their personality whatever their interest. It taps into something more interesting and layered.”
Here are eight spaces that display style and soul in spades, interiors that are, according to McCartney, “the result of a combination of a flair for aesthetics, an ability to collect and curate, and a distinctive personalized style that rises above trends.”
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