Cold, stark and uncomfortable or streamline, sleek and sexy? Regardless of how you view minimalist design, there's much more to this design philosophy than you think. For most people, it conjures up images of glossy ultramodern steel and glass structures or, in the case of my friends,  Eddie's "White Box" home renovation by Bettina and Max from the British TV Series Absolutely Fabulous.


If we're to understand the design philosophy of "less is more", we need to change our perception of minimalism from a concept that produces sterile white boxes or cool futuristic spaces to one that marries simple forms with exceptional functionality all while artistically showcasing the beauty of its shape and selected materials.

Functional Elements as Art

The "less is more" principle goes hand in hand with the theory that "form follows function." In minimalism you strive to reduce the design of a functional element, leaving only the essential parts of the feature, in order to focus the attention to its form and material as well as enhance its overall elegance.

Take the staircase, a familar design element whose humble objective is to connect two or more floors in a building. Following the minimalist design principles, you wouldn't try to conceal it or make it something it's not by embellishing it with ornate balusters and elaborately carved newel posts. Instead you reduce the complexity of its shape, even if it means increasing the complexity of its engineering, so it can stands out as a sculptural piece of art and focal point.

John Pawson, NYC EDITION Hotel Lobby Stairs	John Pawson, Private Residence Stairs

Only the Essentials

As the world becomes more hectic and crowded, it's even more important that our home serves as a refuge from the chaos of modern life. By eliminating clutter and extraneous objects and adornments, we hope to create a sense of calm and serenity which allows the focus to remain on the room’s purpose and function, and on the beauty of its carefully selected furnishings and finishes.

Minimalism doesn't necessarily translate to new and modern, in fact, for historical home renovations, often times the focus is on preserving and drawing attention to the original architectural or structural elements. Regardless of the object or feature in focus, following the design philosophy does mean that everything else is pared back or eliminated. The Belgian Architect and Designer Vincent Van Duysen demonstrates this best in his Antwerp residence attic renovation.

Vincent Van Duysen, Attic Guestroom Renovation, View of Sitting Area and Integrated Bath	Vincent Van Duysen, Attic Guestroom Renovation, View of Desk

It has been said that minimalism is not a style that precludes possession, but a style that precludes careless possession. The idea is to put all your attention and money into just a few pieces or finishes that you truly love, then eliminate the rest.

The joinery and weathered finish of a barn's timber frame, the handwoven paper cord seat of a Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair, the deep grey veining in a Calacatta Borghini marble slab, the long parallel grains of a quarter-sawn french white oak cabinet, the soft texture and feeling underfoot of a hand-knotted Tibetan rug. The little details you may not notice if the room was cluttered standout when a space is pared down.

As we complete the architectural design and construction documents, we continue to edit and refine the form, space, material, detail and color in our home, applying the principles of minimalism to create a better more simple living environment. If all goes well, our house will exude the calmness, warmth and beauty that make minimalist spaces so appealing to us and, as a result, our tiny home will live larger and more gracefully than its actual size.