The Evolution of Style with Darcy & Duke

Interior design is an ever-evolving industry. Over time, trends come and go, but if there’s one aspect that will never go out of style, it’s the functionality of furniture. Over the years, we’ve experienced a shift within interior design that now prioritises furniture, décor, and architecture that serves multiple purposes. It’s now all about combining practicality with quality and aesthetics to achieve a match made in heaven. But what makes a piece of furniture functional?

To answer this question and to learn more about this topic, we sat down with Darcy & Duke to discover their own style evolution and delve into why functionality is so important within your design projects. 

Opulent colours and glamorous materials took centre stage when Darcy & Duke first entered the market. Director, Erich Schulenburg, recalls that this niche, yet brave Art Deco aesthetic was loved by design professionals as it was a popular way to introduce a bit of boldness into their projects. As Darcy & Duke began to grow, so too did their style. The aim was to evolve and keep Darcy & Duke fresh so they could offer the design community more variety. “We aim always to maintain a point of difference, but where luxury and quality is not lost, and rather muted by a quieter sophistication and a more natural feel”, notes Erich. 

We see style evolutions, such as Darcy & Dukes, throughout so many different industries. It’s not to say their original Art Deco products are now ‘out-of-style’, as there is space for every trend. But instead, what this evolution symbolises is the shift we’re seeing to functional pieces. For example, Darcy & Duke now features a range of more contemporary shapes and colours, as well as textured fabrics and natural materials. Each of these design elements plays a role in what makes a piece of furniture functional. 

Often functional furniture is characterised by its ability to do multiple things, such as a sofa bed. This is an accurate description, but functionality also goes beyond just how you use an object, it’s also about other factors, such as the object's role within a room and how it complements the space. 

Take the Artemis Swivel Chair, for instance. This chair serves functionality thanks to its versatile rotating ability, but its curved design would also create softness and connection throughout a room. Even the swivel chair's rounded shape enables it to be space efficient, making it an excellent addition no matter the size of your room. 

This works the same for other elements, such as pieces made from natural materials will work to ground your space, and textured furniture will add depth and interest.

It’s factors like these that really take interior design to the next level. It’s so important to consider these elements within your projects as it's not just about what the room looks like, it’s also about the atmosphere and how the room will be used for years to come. 

Darcy & Duke continues to evolve their style as they illustrate a key factor within the interior design industry; functional, aesthetic pieces that don’t compromise on quality. 

Discover the full range of products from Darcy & Duke, or to begin creating your dream space with their functional furniture and décor, visit our mood board tool.