Handmade Artisanal Trends: Why Smart Developers and their Interior Designers Are Investing in Them

Want to pick finishes that will still appeal when the project settles? History's your best guide.  Building and design history shape how I view today’s trends. When you understand how the past has shaped our built environment, it's easier to see where things are heading next.

One of the clearest shifts right now is what I think of as the “handmade” or artisanal trend. After years of modernism—and a long stretch where minimalism was at its peak—there’s a definite move back towards warmth and individuality. People want comfort at home, especially as the world feels less predictable. The Covid years only amplified people's need for spaces that feel cosy and personal.

How this is showing up in interiors:

• Luxurious, hand-applied textured wall finishes like Venetian plaster are becoming more common in high-end projects.

• Local lighting designers (Australia has some great ones – check out Volker Haug and Studio Enti) are creating fittings made from hand-blown glass and ceramics.

• Zellige (hand made) tiles have a beautiful quality. Many are now mass-produced versions designed to mimic the handmade look, but the appeal is the same.

• Basins with pottery-style glazes are moving from niche makers into the mainstream.

For developers and renovators, the key is using these interior design elements selectively. You get the character without losing broad market appeal—or blowing the budget.

A few practical ideas:

• Try a textured wall finish on a single feature wall in an entry, TV room, or master bedroom where it adds interest without taking over.

• Use a sculptural pendant above a dining table, kitchen island, or in an entry for a strong focal point.

• The powder room is the perfect place for a bespoke basin or a wall of Zellige tiles.

• Add this trend in a small way with cabinetry hardware or a kitchen mixer in a beautiful finish – the naturally worn patina of brass is still very popular.

The aim is chic, not shabby. A few thoughtful choices in the right places can lift a project and give it that sense of warmth people are craving—without compromising the overall look.

Mark Studio handmade Trixie wall light

High End Inspo This wall light is handcrafted in Australia by Mark Studio, each piece is made to order, ensuring no two lights are exactly alike. It is a stunning example of post-modern design, featuring a textured mouth-blown glass shade and a sleek metal wall mount.

High Street Find The Cambell is a newly released light fitting from Beacon Lighting that channels the look of high-end design — without the price tag. This is one of a few fittings they recently released with chrome detailing.  Chrome was a significant design trend at the 2025 Milan Design Week.