Age of Opulence : Interior Design Blog

There’s a new design trend in the wind. It’s modern, but not minimalist. It’s rich, but won’t break the bank. It’s super glam, but never gauche. Here at Robb & Stucky, we call it the Age of Opulence.






First, opulence is always over-the-top - over-the-top with comfort, that is. In this new world order, upholstery pieces are perfectly designed to do the body good. Size and scale is often dramatized for creature comfort and head-turning effect. Fabrics beg to be touched, and please the eye too, often with glimmer and sheen.

Englishman Christopher Guy is a standard bearer of the Age of Opulence. His Larme Chair, for example, is a French fauteuil worthy of the Sun King, with a crowning seat and oval back all trimmed in nailhead. The arms are low and scrolled. Larme is set on cabriole legs. If every man (or woman’s) home is a castle, then Larme is a must-have.




Opulence is the opposite of ordinary. Simple furniture designs can be elevated to opulent status with the use of unusual, bespoke materials. Look at Espinoza. It’s a simple cabinet set on a plinth base. But Bernhardt designers wrapped Espinoza in goatskin and parchment, mottled in gray and white to resemble cloud formations. Heavenly.




Opulent design takes cues from the world of fine jewelry. We love the Bracelet Martini accent table from Vanguard. The pedestal base is an interlocking network of brushed brass rings, reminiscent of a bauble on your wrist. Martini is topped with a round glass top, so the full glory of the base is always visible.




Finally, the Age of Opulence can have a halo effect achieved with mirrors and metals. Our Beveled Round Mirror is a glorious conflux of smaller individual mirrors, attracting and reflecting light throughout the room. Why not cluster a series of these little jewels? At just 31 inches, the more the merrier.




The Age of Opulence seems to wash away the woes of past economic doldrums. But it’s not a frivolous pursuit by any means. Shoppers attracted to this trend also have high expectations, seeking out Robb & Stucky’s creative interior designers to take their haute home to new heights.



ABOUT MARK STUART: Robb & Stucky Creative Director Mark Stuart is responsible for the floor plan and visual display of all Robb & Stucky stores. In his spare time, he also shops the world for accessories and engages with our amazing buying team to ensure Robb & Stucky stores enchant as a unified, beautiful experience.