Reading Time: 6 mins
KINFOLK - SLOW LIVING
“In today’s rush, we all think too much, seek too much, want too much and forget about the joy of just being.”
Our modern lifestyle can feel rather demanding, relentless, hectic and even emotionally out-of-sync; quite often leaving us in a state of sensory overload.
Have you ever noticed how our society seems to be stuck in a constant rat race? In today’s world we constantly strive to be faster, louder, richer..... this is very much reflected in our fast fashion, fast-food and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
Sometimes it takes a life changing experience like a global pandemic or a personal moment that makes you stop in your tracks and reconsider your lifestyle choices. For me, this moment came as a double whammy. I was diagnosed with breast cancer during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst I have a journey ahead of me, I noticed a change in my way of thinking about how to adopt a slower paced life and how to create a lifestyle that adopts a more healthy and considered way of living — so I started to research the slow living movement. I am particularly interested in how to create homes for slow living and slow design.
KINFOLK, THE ART OF SLOW LIVING
First of all, let’s understand what Kinfolk slow living is all about. Slow living is a lifestyle which is going back to a simpler and mindful approach to life. Kinfolk originates in the USA and was made famous by the magazine entitled by the same name which features stylish and minimalist living as its core principle.
The Kinfolk design concept represents a natural, organic and simplistic way of living with focus on only what is essential without any unnecessary distractions. The design tends to be elegant classics, high end, streamlined and of pure craftsmanship. The pieces of furniture are selected carefully; characterised by clean shapes, honest materials such as stone, wood or leather. Slow living encourages you to consciously and physically slow down. Happiness is a journey, it is all about those little moments in life; slow living appreciates the journey, not just the end result. To me, Kinfolk is all about authenticity, creativity, and reducing your footprint on the planet.
“A fast approach tends to be a superficial one, but when you slow down you begin to engage more deeply with whatever it is you’re doing. You’re also forced to confront what’s happening inside you – which is one of the reasons why I think we find it so hard to slow down. Speed becomes a form of denial. It’s a way of running away from those more deeper, tangled problems. Instead of focusing on questions like who am I, and what is my role here, it all becomes a superficial to-do list.”
THE SLOW LIVING HOME
Slow living is a lifestyle choice. At its core is the principle of designing spaces that are environmentally sustainable and functional over time. In a sense it is a minimalist approach to design - allowing ourselves to breathe, but it is not about minimalism - rather along the notion of wabi sabi or kintsugi. And, akin to the ethos of Marie Kondo which focuses on keeping only the items that bring us joy.
Slow living really emphasises ‘being in the moment’ rather than following a defined design aesthetic.
“Slow living isn’t about luxury or laziness, nor is it about forgoing our most beloved belongings – it’s about identifying what, and whom, we simply cannot live without.”
5 principles of the slow design movement
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Design for the senses
Our modern life’s seems to be fixated on a digital lifestyle. But don’t forget that our senses ground us, often reminding us who we are and providing some respite from our ever connected world. Using natural materials such as natural timbers, wooden floorboards, stripped organic furniture, stone or textured walls, linen fabrics, fur cushions, rattan and sea grass rugs will deeply connect with your senses.
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Incorporate items that encourage slow living and are brimming with character
Make time for the little things in life that give you pleasure, for example, grind your own coffee, use rustic chopping boards that might even carry some sentimental value.
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Opt for sustainable furniture and celebrate true craftsmanship
Choosing an item with a more timeless aesthetic will create a mindset of not having to chase the latest design trends or constantly replacing objects; not to forget that honest and more ethical materials are more considerate to our planet. Avoid mass produced furniture. Consider up-cycled pieces. Choose products that are produced in eco-friendly ways and pieces that are sustainably harvested. Find beauty in the wear and tear of daily life.
Be inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi sabi, select materials that last and appreciate how they age over time. I am a huge advocate of incorporating what I call organic and imperfect homewares that have a sense of depth, that have been lovingly crafted by artisans, and that boast slow design.
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Curate the decor
With everything just a click away, impulse buying can lead to a lot of unplanned purchases. Instead, shop ‘slower’. Sourcing products with a slow design mentality is very much about the people and the process behind the product itself. I find it incredibly insightful to read the story behind the creation of a product. One of my favourite brands is Nkuku and I just adore the stories of the artisans behind their beautiful products.
Allow your space to evolve over time rather than striving to complete every corner within the rush of your renovation project or moving in. This gives you time to make more considered decisions and often a more soulful space that reflects your life journey, your travels, hopes and individuality.
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Design for calm
Find a way to bring calm and quiet into your space. I often find that painting the walls in Kinfolk style is best achieved using muted and natural colours such as natural white, taupe, beige tones, sandstone or oatmeal oozes the sensation of feeling calm. Often, green, black or grey are used as accent colours. Kinfolk flooring is mostly made out from natural materials like wood (such as light oak) or stone (in the form of large format tiles in darker tones) with a grounding feel. And, adding a reading corner, a fireplace or simply placing a stool next to your kitchen window allows us to steal those little moments of calm that build little slower routines into our everyday lives.
“I believe that homes should be ‘designed’ based on how we want to feel and live, creating a space where our happiness unfolds; and not based on how we think our home ought to look, or fit into a design pattern. In a way, my approach to slow living has resulted in a more balanced, conscious and mindful way of living, I call it ‘voluntary simplicity’. Ultimately, my desire for a slow living home is a desire for possibly a much more considered approach to life.”
The beauty of slow living is that there are no fast or set rules that other design aesthetics are associated with. Rather, slow living spaces are curated over time, and refined by what we value and how we wish to live. It is more about making conscious choices in our homes and to our lifestyle. The thoughtful design of slow living nudges us towards habits that enrich our daily lives. Feel free to slow down and take your time. x x