Past to present
Just like fashion, interior design looks to the past for inspiration — and after the all-white walls and pared back minimalism of the last decade, retro and vintage influences are back — bringing personality, warmth and a touch of nostalgia to homes.
Updated for today, these looks combine colour, timeless style and crafted pieces to create spaces that are layered, with stories to tell. Clipsal’s range fits into this seamlessly while offering smart home automation that lets you curate your home even further.
Inspiration from the past
Two styles leading this retro charge are Neo Deco — a modern take on the glamour of 1920s Art Deco — and Modern Cottagecore, a fresh and contemporary update on country chic.
Neo Deco channels the geometric shapes, metallic details, luxurious fabrics, lacquered wood, and moody, rich colour hues that defined the Art Deco era, but in a more restrained way. It’s seen in a single feature like a drinks cabinet with brass trim, or a jewel-coloured velvet couch.
This mood can carry through kitchens and bathrooms too, with glossy cabinetry, sleek marble inlays, brushed brass tapware, and splashes of rich colour in tiles. Modern Cottagecore blends rustic charm with clean lines and natural textures for an edited, contemporary feel. It’s cosy, but without the frills and clutter of the 1980s version.
Create the look with floral prints, handmade textiles, natural materials (raw linen, unglazed ceramics, macramé wall hangings), and groupings of objects that say: “collected over time”. You can also explore a moodier direction with deeper atmospheric hues of forest green, aged wood and accents of iron.
Other retro-inspired styles finding favour now include the ever-popular warm wood, deep tones and simple functionality of Mid-century Modern, as well sculptural furniture that nods to the 1960s and 70s in rounded sofas and free-form mirrors that bring softness and flow to rooms.
Choose the ideal electrical products
You’ll find the perfect finishing touch for these design styles with Clipsal switches and power points.
Complete a Neo Deco or Mid-century Modern interior with the refined look of the Clipsal Solis™ T Series. This premium range evokes simple luxury with thin, flush covers in brushed brass and aluminium finishes. Modernist perfect square edges and toggle switches add to the sense of craftsmanship.
On the other hand, Clipsal Iconic Essence is the ideal addition to any Modern Cottagecore home, bringing a subtle touch of the outdoors into every room with its rounded timber surround.
Both ranges are compatible with Clipsal Wiser Smart Home too, letting you tailor and manage every space.
Curate your home with Wiser
The Wiser range includes a variety of products that give you easy control from your smart device via the Wiser by SE app. You can link and schedule everything from lights to heating, blinds to security features, third party appliances, and even individual power points.
Today’s vintage and retro styling uses lighting to great effect and Wiser can help you make the most of this. Lamplight is an essential part of Modern Cottagecore style — the aim is for soft, diffused light that adds warmth. Use Wiser to schedule lamps to come on at dusk, making rooms feel cosy or to create a welcoming feel in the front hallway as people arrive home.
For Neo Deco, lighting is treated as a decorative element, such as sculptural chandeliers, fluted glass pendant lights, and ornate wall sconces in brushed brass or chrome. With Wiser you can set these lights to always come on at a certain time so you can enjoy them every evening without having to think about it.
An intuitive life with Wiser
Wiser can make everyday tasks simpler and more intuitive too. Use the Wiser by SE app to check if lights have been left on around the house after you leave in the morning (and turn them off if needed) or receive a notification if a door or window open unexpectedly. You can set extraction fans in the laundry or bathroom to trigger if the humidity gets above a certain level or have your home’s heating activate if the temperature drops.
The clever Wiser Moments feature lets you link several activities for a single purpose too. An ‘Evening Moment’ might close the blinds around your home, turn on any exterior lights at the front of the property, and dim the interior lights to a certain level — all with a single screen tap. Or a ‘Morning Moment’ could open your bedroom blinds at a set time, activate the air conditioning system to a preset level in the living area, and turn on the towel rails in your bathroom.
With Wiser, you can add ease to the everyday while bringing your vintage styling to life in a home that’s as smart as it is beautiful to live in.
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