Take It to the Max(imalism)

By Ariel Schuster, Sales and Design Consultant at Artaic

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – there’s a time and a place for “greige”, but it ain’t in my house!  

While I can appreciate the minimalist aesthetic in the world of design (promptly Google Kim Kardashian’s Los Angeles home for the most extreme example) I often find it lacking. Design should be engaging, dynamic, you want the eye to travel throughout the space. Whether you are walking into your foyer, or pushing through the revolving doors at a boutique hotel – you want that first impression to be “Wow – I wonder what the other rooms look like?!”. Enter maximalism – the wickedly awesome stepsister to the more docile minimalism, let’s meet her – shall we?

Antelope in Slate – Shown in 9/16″ Natural Stone

Maximalism really embraces that “go big or go home” attitude. This aesthetic in interiors revolves around color, scale, and of course pattern. Large scale artwork, multitudes of complimentary colors, patterns on patterns, collections of old and new baubles and curiosities. It sounds like a lot – I know, but it truly is a carefully curated and tactful expression of the self within interior decorating. This is not an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink type of decor, this is about being bold without being domineering, being colorful without clashing (unless of course you are clashing in a good way – because that’s a thing). This is one surefire way to make a showstopping space, and if there is one thing we stand by here at Artaic it is to live beautifully and defy the ordinary, so we celebrate maximalism in design – as is self-evident in our latest Lasting Rugs Collection!

Residential: More is More

Crushed Velvet in Cabernet – Shown in 1/2″ Vitreous Glass

I personally lean maximalist in my own decor. Looking around my home I am surrounded by the things I love – all of which came from someplace very different. A layered white cowhide over an antelope rug, ceramic chinoise foo-dog lamps, an oversized framed silk scarf featuring a kaleidoscope of colors next to a pair of mounted vintage plates featuring quirky dogs. Sounds like a lot – but it works, and I love it, and that’s the point! 

When it comes to the home you want to feel comfortable, inspired, energized – you want to surround yourself with things you love! Not everything needs to be matchy matchy, not everything needs to come from the same store, color family, or time period. You would be surprised at how impactful a single statement wall can be. One thing I adore about our Lasting Rugs collection is how well suited the mosaics are for maximalist design. From takes on animal prints in bold colors like Quill and Antelope to oversized iterations of fabulous tapestries like Crushed Velvet – these mosaics are beginning to be seen.

Quill in Turquoise – Shown in 1/2″ Vitreous Glass

Commercial: As Seen on Instagram

We all think of the world of design as visually focused – all about art and aesthetics, but the fact of the matter is that quite a bit of science (whether you know it or not) goes into the decision making behind design. Especially in the world of commercial interiors, the design is really your “hook” – for all those window shoppers, in-person and online, it’s what you want to grab your customers attention and draw them through the physical or virtual door, and maximalist decor seems like a surefire way to do just that!

Cheetah in Gold Luxe – Shown in 3/4″ Vitreous Glass

Our new Lasting Rugs collection is chock full of statement making mosaic designs that anchor and set the tone for any space, especially when these designs can be fully tailored to suit your own dream color scheme (I would NOT be mad at a metallic cheetah print – just saying). Whether it is a playful feature wall in a cafe or an intricately unexpected alternative floor covering the goal is to stop people in their tracks by making it “Instagram worthy.” 

Cheetah in Sunset – Shown in 3/4″ Vitreous Glass

The best part of the maximalist aesthetic is that it is inclusive – everyone is invited, and we mean EVERYONE. Obsessed with animal print? Come on over. Love all things teal?  Welcome. There is a way to tastefully have it all, and our Lasting Rugs collection can be the perfect feature piece to make your maximalist dreams come true!

Need more design ideas? I’m here to help! Send me an email at ariel@artaic.com, or give me a call at 1.508.523.7922.