A few years ago, I came across this retro kitchen. The client had done up their entire home in themes from the years gone by. It was intriguing to see this kitchen, done up in pastel green, the bright orange floor providing a sharp but coordinated contrast, and the floral wallpaper adding some ditz to the whole room. All in all, the effect was one of walking straight into the times gone by.  

The request the client did have for me, was one that I hadn’t encountered before. They did not need my help to declutter, what they did want from me was help to navigate the appearance of minimalism, since their almost spartan lifestyle meant they honestly did not have much to display, and that is exactly how they preferred it. However, they were misunderstood as poor by their family, and near and dear ones, who would then gift them things to keep around the house. For a while, the client accepted the gifts for the love they knew was the foundation, but with time, those gifts started becoming a burden, for they did not want to possess so many things. Cue The Minimalist NRI.

 We went through their possessions in the kitchen. They had little, but what they did have was pieces of timeless elegance. I encouraged them to leave those pieces out for display, a plate here, a bowl there, a set of spoons arranged tastefully on a rack on the counter. Finally, with much planning, we decided to place a rack near the window, on which we placed a few bowls and cups, things of daily use. A warm-hued napkin found a peg on the wall, adding a splash of color and vibrancy. The overall effect was still minimalist aesthetic, but now, it looked like they genuinely enjoyed what they had.

Fast forward to a few months later, the client confirmed that the gifts had reduced, and their family and friends had even complimented them on the overall look of the kitchen.