The endearing ambience is never complete without an overwhelming sense of comfort. That is when the tube-like armchairs, bouncy sofas, blobby bean bags, caging partitions and more come into play in the interior, says PUNAM KALRA

Neotenic design is the style synonym of free spirit—the unapologetic expression of inner child. It is the sumptuous blend of nascence, innocence, quirk and verve in the style statement, sure to create a strong design impose. The youthful character of the style comes out in soft curves, playful tones and bulbous forms that kindles juvenile energy in the space and takes us down the memory lane, bringing the childhood mnemonics into the picture. The pieces relive the memories with a sinful indulgence in cute or endearing objects that are rather playful than regular.

The purity of the style is hinted in the colour palettes—the interior elements come out flushed in subdued tones—in pure white undertones that are overshadowed by beiges, nudes and pastels. There is a soft spot for off-white, taupe, sage, blush pink, powder blue and other whitewashed colours in the interior mood boards. The pieces are further tamed in the textures of combed cotton, seamless suede and mattified synthetics that are proud of their beaming innocence. Softer, rounder profiles and solid silhouettes complete the picture of the neotenic ambience with a whiff of soft-laden naivete.

Neotenic furnishings bespeak the underlying character of purity, whilst seeking a quirky spirit. There is a strong inclination towards free-spiritedness that makes more room for elements with edgy shapes and bold colours—the intrinsic vibe of being child-like is brought in with the elemental variants of the primary colours like red, blue and yellow along with the classics like the pitch black and the stark white. The shape experiments are given a go with asymmetric lines, incomplete curves and every other definition of footloose forms. The juvenile joy in breaking rules reflects in the thumb rules of art and interior, thereby inviting multi-coloured themes, mixed-medium artworks and more.

The endearing ambience is never complete without an overwhelming sense of comfort. That is when the tube-like armchairs, bouncy sofas, blobby bean bags, caging partitions and more come into play in the interior. Some ergonomic design experiments even recall the postures of a child with inclined knee seats, body-hugging backrests etc. that recall the old times as a comforting and gratifyingly nostalgic design remembrance.

An ideal neotenic interior scene would accommodate a statement bolstered seater with throw blankets, plush ottomans with a dash of bold colour, tastefully statement luminaires with bulbous lamps, solid low-rise armchairs, flat-cut side tables, eccentrically curved partitions, freestanding geometric pedestals, round-moulded showpieces and elementary art wall accents that personify the cute impression in an interior setting.

The trend of neoteny traces the childish attributes of design by fabricating pieces that are soft and sensational at the same time. It offers the chance for the current-day world to take a look at the tender, indulgent side of life and take a break from the serious daunts. With neotenic design taking the spin, tomorrow seems promising and joyful, just as a child would see it.

The writer is Interior Designer, Creative Director of I'm the Centre for Applied Arts