This panel highlighted Ferguson Home and Miele as leaders in wellness-driven luxury, showing designers how thoughtful kitchens, baths, and appliances contribute to physical elevated daily living
Panelists: Caroline Danielson, Ferguson Home; Matt French, French & French Interiors; Arianne Bellizaire, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors; Emery Murphy, Miele
Moderator: Kate Kelly Smith, Sandow
Wellness continued to be a running theme inside the terrace at Broad Hall on Sunday morning, with four new panelists.
“Clients are concerned not just with physical health—but mental health,” said Caroline Danielson. But wellness doesn’t have to involve big-ticket items like installing a sauna.
“An item shouldn’t be seen as luxury because it’s expensive or because of its availability; it’s what it can do for you,” said Emery Murphy. “Having a product that can take off miniscule tasks from your day means a lot. To me luxury is having an easier day—day to day.”
“At KBIS, this is all we talked about—little things like pre-set dimmers are everything,” said Caroline.
“Having your home designed to articulate who you are in your own skin is a luxury in itself,” added Matt French.
Arianne, who has become enamored with premium travel experiences, likens the job of designers to a concierge service. She loves asking clients what feels good to them and what keeps them up at night.
Personalizing wellness considerations
Lighting that supports circadian rhythms, water systems, and natural materials can also elevate a space into luxury.
On the technological side, Emery noted appliances that “think for you” such as Miele’s combi-steam ovens that preserve nutritional value.
Asking deeper questions about a client’s concerns and routines can really make an impact and create a bond of trust.
Arianne remembers a mom of three boys who mentioned that every morning, her husband would prepare for her a chai tea from scratch. So Arianne’s team homed in on how to make this process seamless in the kitchen.
Caroline agreed this level of connection with clients is key. “When our trainees are learning to be consultants, and they comment on how long the client interviews are, I remind them that not everyone gets to do what we do. It’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s home and get to know them on this intimate level.”
