A common mistake we tend to make when decorating our home is that we often think of lighting as something we need rather than as something that will enhance our home décor. This is why many home decoration stores will have a separate section for designer lighting because it is as important as your furniture when creating a functional and beautiful space. Done right, it can enhance even the smallest or dullest of areas in your living space and by choosing a piece with a bit of character and quirk it can easily become a feature in your home.

Futurism is creeping into our home and the possibilities opened up by our increasingly interconnected world are most starkly demonstrated by the rise of smart devices and home hubs. We can now control our lighting, set kettles to boil, and monitor home security systems from anywhere using our smartphones. Until now, these innovations have only had a minimal impact on how our furniture is designed and marketed, but this too looks set to change. Now that an increasing number of smartphones support wireless charging technology, there is now furniture available, such as bedside lamps and drawers, with a wireless charging pad built in. Malleable electronics that can be woven into fabrics are also available and as screens themselves become flexible, there are various designs for futuristic furniture, some in the conceptual stage, some as prototypes, and others still finally hitting the consumer market.

Italian luxury furniture brand Cassina needs no introduction. This year, Cassina is celebrating its 90^th anniversary and with nearly a century in business, it is no surprise this design house continues to be at the forefront of innovative fusion that closely links technological skill with traditional craftsmanship. During Milan Design week, Cassina erected an ambitious and stunning installation ‘Cassina 9.0’ – shown at Herzog & de Meuron’s Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli – that showcased pieces from the company’s archive and explored what the future might hold for domestic life.

There is still plenty of debate surrounding office productivity versus home office productivity. A recent Harvard study suggests that people that work from home get more done per day than their office environment counterparts. There is no denying that at home, you can control how your space is designed and you can really make it feel your own. This, in turn, may inspire you to get things done in a timely manner.

As international stylists, one of the things we love the most is stepping into homes with a distinct Parisian flair, whether it’s our clients, for press events, or through a magazine. You know the one, effortlessly elegant and a whimsical mix of contemporary pieces alongside classics that results in the unequivocal trés chic Parisian style we’ve come to love and admire.