Inside the Maximalist Mindset

Sense and sensibilities designs should marry the two

HF #226 | Christine Stoman

Exuberant, theatrical, in-your-face: These words are often said of personalities, designs, décor and even birds of paradise. Our theme this month can be fascinating or frightening, depending on your viewpoint.

Maximalism has been around since the 17th and 18th centuries (the grandeur of the Baroque and the elaborate, intricate ornamentation of the Rococo periods.) The Victorians were not far behind with their mix of art, objects, and patterns from different time periods and cultures. Like maximalists today, their surroundings reflected a desire for self-expression and a "more is more" approach.



Maximalism is the kind of appearance and aura that makes us gasp and proclaim: “Will you look at that!” We are all voyeurs at heart and maximalist interiors change us into curious eavesdroppers in the lives of others. Who can resist a room filled to the brim with picture frames, ornaments, cushions, plants, colours, textiles, decorated ceilings – layers upon layers of interesting oddments to discover?

We could play Hide-and-Seek amongst the drapes and behind the sofas. Or even better, we could play Find the Thimble. We could entertain each other for hours!
Interior designer Gavin Houghton of London advocates layering. “Unsophisticated interior design is a one-note piano. You see it, you get it. A room needs to be like a person you’d like to get to know, which means it needs to be interesting and erudite, to have history and background. And collections of things tell you where somebody’s passion lies.”

Alidad, a London decorator of Persian descent known for his opulence, sets his six senses to work in creating the ultimate room. “The sixth sense is my own instinct, which guides me to put together different textures, patterns, colours, arts and cultures, and informs me when to stop.”

Stopping is the operative verb here. One needs to intuit the difference between tasteful aesthetic and disproportionate hoarding. And, on the practical side, one needs to dust and shine every bit of over-indulgence. Now there is a sobering thought!

But how does it feel to live or work in a room artfully decorated to excess? What kind of personality wishes to pour a plethora of paraphernalia into a space? Such individuals are often collectors, sensory seekers, expressive personalities or sentimentalists. They want to be surrounded by beauty, as opposed to hoarders who may retain clutter to the point of being unhygienic.

Which begs the question: do you need an oversized personality to pull off maximalist décor?

How flamboyant need one be to choose cerise wallpaper, huge gilded picture frames, contrasting textures, patterns and colours, with not a square centimetre left unfilled? Can a soul rest in a space that is in overdrive? You be the judge: https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/alidad-london-flat

But then again, maximalism is all about breaking the rules and having fun with decor, allowing for creative expression and a sense of joy. If not, why not?