Esra Kumbasar on the rise of gender-inclusive luxury interior design

Walpole: When you speak about gender-inclusive design, what exactly do you mean?

Esra Kumbasar: In recent years, the trend of gender-neutral luxury interiors has been on the rise. No longer confined to the traditional binary gender roles, clients are seeking to create opulent spaces that are welcoming to all identities and promote inclusivity. A key example of the shift we are witnessing here at Accouter is the term "Master Bedroom" being surpassed to "Principle Bedroom", due to the original term connoting to the sense of the male superiority.

Gender-inclusive design is an approach that ensures a product or design is equally engaging and useful for all users, regardless of their gender identity. It considers not only gender identity, but also gender expression and other factors like race, ethnicity, age, ability level, sexual orientation, religion, and cultural background when creating user experiences.

Gender-inclusive design places a focus on making sure everybody feels respected and included in the product or service being designed. This means taking into consideration how different users may interact with a product differently based on their individual characteristics. By understanding these differences upfront during the design process, designers can create more inclusive user experiences that are accessible to everyone regardless of their identity or expression.

In what ways does gender manifest in interior design?

Luxury gender-inclusive interiors are defined by their ability to be free from gender norms and stereotypes, while still maintaining a high level of sophistication and elegance. One of the key characteristics of gender-neutral luxury interiors is the intelligent use of colour. Typically, people tend to think that gender-neutral spaces rely on a palette of whites, greys, and other muted tones, but that doesn't always have to be the case. Selecting colours regardless of their stereotypical gender connotations means that a space can stay intriguing and can be filled with personality, instead of appearing flat. An example of this trend executed in a way which is timeless and opulent, is Accouter’s No1 Belgravia project [below]. The design here speaks for itself – the neutral tones mixed with rich jewelled details across the five-storey home allows the spaces to feel calm and soothing, and suitable for any gender.

Another important aspect of gender-neutral luxury interiors is the use of natural materials. Rather than relying on synthetic or man-made materials, these spaces emphasise the use of natural woods, stones, and textiles. This not only creates a more sustainable environment, but also promotes a sense of serenity and connection to the natural world.

Clean lines and simple shapes are also a hallmark of gender-neutral luxury interiors. Instead of relying on ornate decorations or overly complex furniture, these spaces prioritise simplicity and elegance. By removing unnecessary clutter and emphasising clean lines, these neutral spaces can create a calming atmosphere that is welcoming to everyone.

Another key element of ultra-luxury neutral interior design is the use of texture. Rather than relying on colour, this design style uses texture to create interest and depth in the room. From plush rugs and soft throws to intricate wall hangings and decorative pillows, every element in the room is carefully chosen for its texture and visual impact.

Take a look at the Atlantis the Royal Residences Show Home project [below], for example, where every piece of furniture, selected accessories and art have been meticulously selected to create a home which caters to all genders, yet stays extremely sleek and character-filled.

Furthermore, gender-neutral luxury interiors can be empowering for people who have traditionally been excluded from certain spaces due to their gender identity. By creating spaces that are free from gender norms, these interiors can help to break down barriers and create a more equitable society. This is particularly important in public spaces, such as hotels or restaurants, where a sense of inclusivity is essential for creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere.

Does gender run deeper in interior design and architecture than what we consider traditionally "masculine" or "feminine" décor?

In the past, men were known to have a separate group of rooms all to themselves. These included a library or study, a billiard room, a gentlemen’s room (a room in which men could retreat to conduct business transactions more privately), and a smoking room. Often after dinner time in the evening, women may have gathered in the drawing room, and men would retreat to the smoking room. As such, it was common practice to decorate certain room in a "masculine" style.

In today’s society, we have spaces such as the "mancave", an area in the home where a man can do as he pleases in a masculine space – but these spaces do not typically take over the majority of the home and aren’t always necessary.

Women’s rooms, by contrast, were traditionally often areas for them to retreat lest they display an emotional outburst in public.  The “boudoir,” for instance, derives from a French word meaning “to sulk.”

Not only were men structurally (or even architecturally) privileged, but women’s disappointments and frustrations that stemmed in part from unequal power relations – that produced these homes in the first place – were also kept separate from men within the home.

Terms such as "boudoir" and "gentleman’s room" are no longer associated with the modern interior spaces. Instead, we now have, the games room, the playroom, the boot room, the ‘principle’ areas (historically referred to as the Master Bedroom), and, of course the wellness areas. As you can see, each of these modern terms are very much generic.

Interior spaces can be dictated by cultural influences, such as the female and male ‘Majili’s’’ where both genders are seated in separate rooms. Another example of this is his and her bedrooms and bathrooms. Gender neutral interiors should not be confused with person preference your home is your castle and gender neutrality isn’t there to dictate.

Can you tell us more about a project you’ve worked on that had gender-inclusivity at its heart?

Recently, Accouter worked on a town house in Belgravia [pictured above], where the brief was very much neutral in terms of a buyer’s market. In this project we didn’t have a client to build the story around so we had to create spaces that would appeal to any discerning clientele. The way in which we did this was to design timeless interiors with added detail and interest generally in a neutral palate of tones and textures, and give the prospective homeowner scope add their own character to the spaces. This, in turn, has led to a somewhat genderless space. However, gender inclusivity doesn’t necessarily mean neutrality in design, we should consider all the colours of the rainbow harmoniously without intent.

Why is the creation of gender-inclusive spaces important to AGC?

At our studio, we believe in diversity, equality, and inclusion – which now extends to gender-inclusive spaces. As a part of Accouter Group of Companies values, we value and appreciate each other, understanding the importance of respect, thoughtfulness, thanks and recognition of the roles we all play. We seek strength through diversity and opportunity. We take time to engage and listen, and thrive through openness. We are not ordinary, our enthusiasm and our people are what makes us extraordinary.