Design Values & Cultural Sensibility

European design places a high value on heritage, artisanal craft, and timeless materials. In contrast, American interiors often lean toward innovation, lifestyle adaptation, and a more diverse fusion of influences. While European homes tend to emphasize permanence and character, many American spaces evolve quickly to reflect fast-paced trends.

Interior Design in United States

In the U.S., design trends vary widely by region but often lean toward comfort, functionality, and real estate-driven aesthetics. In suburban areas like Orange County, California, styles such as modern farmhouse, transitional coastal, and new Mediterranean continue to thrive. These interiors favor light-toned wood, engineered flooring, oversized sectionals, and shiplap or wainscoting—materials that are accessible, low-maintenance, and resale-friendly.

In urban design hubs like New York and Los Angeles, there’s a rising embrace of European-influenced minimalism, Japandi aesthetics, and warm modernism. Clients seek out collectible design, plastered walls, artisan tiles, and natural stones that are more contrasted and textured like travertine and Calacatta Viola. U.S. spaces tend to prioritize scalability and convenience—kitchens with double workstations, furniture must ship quickly, and smart home tech is increasingly central to the layout.

Interior Design in Europe

In contrast, European interiors often evolve more slowly and deliberately, with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, heritage, and restraint. Countries like Italy, France, and the Nordics celebrate the wabi-sabi beauty of aged surfaces, imperfections, and timeless materials. Think patinated brass, oiled oak, linen, boucle, and terra cotta.

Instead of the “instant install” mentality, European projects may span years—focusing on made-to-order furnishings, artisanal lighting, and integrated architectural elements. Built-ins, custom upholstery, and antique mixing are not trend-driven but generational. Layering is cultural: modern Milanese apartments might include Memphis-era objects next to Louis XVI chairs, lit by minimalist suspension lights.

The approach feels more like curation than decoration—less about following trends and more about expressing individuality and soul.

European design places a high value on heritage, artisanal craft, and timeless materials. In contrast, American interiors often lean toward innovation, lifestyle adaptation, and a more diverse fusion of influences. While European homes tend to emphasize permanence and character, many American spaces evolve quickly to reflect fast-paced trends.

Redefined Living & Workspace Priorities

Lockdowns were a global wake-up call. Overnight, our homes were forced to become everything—offices, classrooms, fitness studios, sanctuaries, and more. The lines between public and private, personal and professional, blurred in real time. As the outside world grew more unpredictable, the interior became our anchor. Comfort, flexibility, and emotional well-being were no longer luxuries; they became foundational.

Homeowners began to reassess every room’s role. Formal entertaining areas fell out of favor, replaced by the growing demand for serene personal retreats and smart multi-functional homes. Guest rooms became home offices. Dining rooms turned into Zoom command centers. Bedrooms became meditation spaces or remote schooling zones.

Designers had to pivot quickly. As design fairs were canceled and production timelines destabilized, brands scrambled to adapt and offer not just visual appeal, but real solutions for how people were now living. Clear lines, decluttered layouts, and biophilic elements like greenery and natural light became central to spatial planning.

Materials and finishes evolved too. Clients gravitated toward adjustable lighting, soundproofing strategies, and layered surfaces that soothed the senses during high-stress days. Antimicrobial countertops, washable textiles, and non-toxic paints surged in popularity. There was a renewed appreciation for tactile comfort for wool throws, soft boucle upholstery, and warm wood details, all contributing to emotional safety and sensory richness.

Mental health entered the design conversation since interior design affects our emotion. Interiors were expected to support focus, mood regulation, and daily transitions—not just aesthetics. We began designing spaces with clearly defined zones for work and rest, integrating wellness-focused technologies like circadian lighting, air purification systems, and increasingly, in-home spa features.

In essence, the post-lockdown home became a living organism—fluid, intuitive, and responsive to the shifting tides of everyday life. This redefinition still shapes how we design today: with empathy, foresight, and a more conscious understanding of what “home” really means.

Milan Design Week

Milan Design Week remains the pinnacle of design exploration. Both Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone energize the city with immersive exhibitions, artistic interventions, and groundbreaking work from international talent. (You can explore our reflections from Milan Design Week 2024 and Milan Design Week 2025 for more.)

Other incredible places to visit in Milan include the iconic Milanese landmarks such as Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Moving to the 20thand 21stcentury architecture,  Villa Necchi Campiglio, the Pirelli Tower, and the Bosco Verticale are favorites. 

Maison & Objet in Paris

This exhibition has similarly captured attention by amplifying sustainability, tactile textures, and emotional storytelling—key values in today’s design world.

AD Design Show

Architectural Digest in New York and Design Miami remain key U.S. events showcasing elevated, international creativity. Each provides a unique view into how American cities interpret global influences.

Our Favorite Artists and Creative Voices

While it’s impossible to choose just one favorite, here are the makers and thinkers shaping our inspiration:

• Lighting Design: Bomma, Sans Souci Czech excellence)
• Furniture Icons: Verner Panton (Panton chair), Ettore Sottsass (Ultrafragola mirror), Eero Saarinen (Tulip armchair)
• Contemporary Designers: Sabine Marcelis, Oskar Zieta, Derek Castiglioni, Matteo Cibic, Qeeboo, Emmanuel Babled, Lisa Hilland
• Art & Immersive Installations: James Turrell, Gerhard Richter and Olafur Eliasson
• Interior Designers We Admire: Li Xiang, Marcel Wanders, and Kelly Behun

Looking Ahead from 2020: The future of Interior Design

Or perhaps, looking back to look forward. The lockdowns were a defining moment—challenging and transformative. But now, in 2025, design weeks around the world have returned to their full vibrancy, once again serving as powerful incubators of inspiration and innovation. You can explore some of the beautiful collections I captured at Milan Design Week 2025 and Maison & Objet 2024 in Paris.

As we reflect, we can truly appreciate the shift from fast design toward collectible pieces—thoughtful, meaningful, and enduring. The past few years have reminded us of the value of artistry, and the power of design to reconnect us to what matters most.

Stay connected with us for more reflections, design journeys, and upcoming events that continue to shape this ever-evolving global industry.

— Helena Brana & Ewa Wilkos