Somewhere near the intersection of eclecticism and elegance lies one of design’s most powerful drivers: unapologetic self-expression. As luxury is continuously redefined, confidence remains a common thread. These spaces are some of the most stunning examples of designers wielding color, pattern, and texture with intentionality and intensity—proving that a longing for luxury is more than a mere trend. It’s ingrained in every aspect and iteration of truly great design.

Luxury-grade materials and carefully curated colors abound in this sophisticated and dramatic home designed by Alison Knapp, and she says the only thing to rival her own fearlessness was her clients’. “I spent time getting to know how they live, entertain, and move throughout their daily routines,” she says about her discovery process. “This was all carefully considered when developing layouts, display, artwork, and so on, so that the home is truly a reflection of the couple that inhabits it.”

To Alison, the concept of luxury is synonymous with an unapologetic richness. “It’s confident, saying ‘I’m here and I’m not afraid to show it!’” she says. “For many years, some interior designers have taken a lighter approach with color schemes and to some degree are much ‘safer’ in their overall selections. I am thrilled to see strong, saturated colors becoming on trend again.”

For the unfinished basement of a luxury rental located on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, designer Diana Baker had her work cut out for her—but fortunately a wealth of inspiration at her disposal. As a long-time residential designer who has recently begun specializing in rental property design, Diana knew that, as with many hospitality environments, the house needed to reflect the allure of Lexington as a tourist destination, while providing a functional space—in this case, a custom bar—where guests could experience the taste of Kentucky. 

Rich leathers, wood, metal, and the dark, drenching color of Iron Ore SW 7069 (251-C7) set the moody vibes of old bourbon distilleries and bring to mind the rich history of horse racing in the area. It was this level of attention to detail that brought this project to Diana in the first place. “People come to me looking for change; they want something different and fun. At the start of every project, we look at inspiration design boards together and see how we can incorporate the things they love into their lives.”

Diana believes her clients’ appetite for color and expression reveals how heavily homeowners and property owners are influenced by the scroll-stopping and highly save-able spaces they see online. “Isn’t that the beauty about the design world?” she muses. “There are always new fun and exciting ways to transform your spaces, and the ability to go online and see examples of bold rooms has given people more confidence in exploring their expression.”

Photo by Matt Malicote.

Recently, Toronto-based interior designer Meredith Heron has dabbled in a design philosophy that prioritizes feeling over finish. “We’ve explored expressive luxury across several recent projects, each one proving that boldness can take many forms,” she says. “A modern architectural home that needed warmth and humanity; a beach house so saturated with natural light and color that we softened it with layered, watery hues; and a beautiful Oakville residence that moved beyond predictable beige minimalism into a masterful pattern-on-pattern celebration of the family’s Gujarati heritage.”

For Meredith, this more confident form of luxury isn’t strictly maximalist, as some believe. It’s about self-assuredness. “‘Loud luxury’ isn’t about noise or excess. It’s about confidence—owning your point of view,” she explains. “Quiet luxury whispers; loud luxury asserts itself with intention. It’s a refusal to mute personality in the name of good taste.” 

In order to make boldness work, the designer says, each strong choice should be balanced by discipline. “Every strong gesture needs room to breathe,” she says. “Luxury emerges when bold choices feel inevitable rather than impulsive.” Through tactile contrasts—silk velvet with brushed oak, lacquer next to limestone—and hues that shift with light and hold complexity, she creates spaces that are both dynamic and deeply grounded.

Ultimately, she sees this expressive approach as part of a broader cultural shift toward authenticity and joy. “People want to feel again,” she says. “After years of restraint—in both design and life—there’s a collective appetite for spaces that reflect individuality, sensuality, and joy. People want homes that feel like them, not like an algorithm.”

Photos by Meredith Heron and Asa Weinstein.

For Tiffany Skilling, founder of Tiffany Skilling Interiors, a renovation of her personal residence was also a reflection of her firm’s storytelling-through-design philosophy. Every detail was thoughtfully considered to honor her family and the home’s historical character, with classic materials and cherished antiques layered alongside modern elements to create a space that feels both bold and enduring. In the family den, Sherwin-Williams Delft Blue SW 9134 (219-C4) envelops the room, inspired by Tiffany’s own collection of Delft pottery from the Netherlands, while Roycroft Pewter SW 2848 (Historic) in the primary bath grounds the design and lets the details shine, from the custom tilework and vanity to the distinctive plumbing details.

Though she doesn’t design around labels like “quiet” or “loud” for luxury, Tiffany’s work naturally embodies a confident, expressive form of extravagance rooted in emotion and balance. “True luxury lies in how a space makes you feel, not in how loudly or quietly it speaks,” she says. Her team often “color drenches” rooms—extending a single hue across walls, trim, and even ceilings—to create harmony and depth. “Bold does not have to mean loud,” she adds. “When color and materiality are applied with intention and balance, even the most saturated space can feel timeless, elegant, and deeply personal.”

For the Indianapolis-based designer, this design approach signals a craving for authenticity and a deeper appreciation for the principles of the past. And as it evolves, luxury design will be defined by equal parts sustainability and soul: “Sustainable design is a core tenet of our practice, and we believe the future of expressive, statement-driven luxury should look to the past. As people embrace bolder, more individualistic design choices, we hope they’ll also seek meaning and longevity in the pieces they bring into their homes.”

Photos by Sarah Shields Photo.

For interior designer Amanda Buckley of Bauley Interiors, expressive luxury is less about extravagance and more about emotional resonance. “It’s not just about what looks good; it’s about how it feels the moment you walk in,” she says. Her project captures that spirit in a home office completely color-drenched in Sherwin-Williams Burgundy SW 6300 (110-C7). 

The space balances rich jewel tones, velvet textures, and brushed brass accents with custom built-ins that wrap around the room. “She has an incredible collection of books that had been living in boxes, so we designed a 13-foot-tall bookcase with a cozy window seat,” Amanda says. “The goal was to create a feminine sanctuary—moody, relaxing, and unexpected—where she could get lost in her books or feel inspired at work.”

Amanda feels that the sweet spot between confident luxury and maximalist overwhelm lies in thoughtful control. “You can go bold with color and texture, but the supporting pieces have to allow those moments to breathe,” she explains. “We focus on selecting timeless, luxurious materials to keep the space sophisticated, so it feels bold and expressive without ever being overwhelming or trendy.”

How does she help clients embrace this approach—especially those accustomed to calmer, more neutral palettes? “Everyone just needs a little encouragement to step outside their comfort zone,” she says. “For clients who prefer a softer palette, we might introduce expressive moments in smaller spaces like a moody powder bath, a playful laundry room, or a bold statement piece. Our goal is always to reflect the lifestyle of our clients and create design moments that make each space feel elevated and memorable.”

Photos by Avery Nicole Photography.

Rosa Santiago Zimmerman, founder of RSZ Design + Development and the creative powerhouse behind Build with Rosa, looked to her client to lead the look of this unique design concept. “She wanted her home to mirror the forest she escapes to when life gets noisy, a space to come back to center,” the designer tells us.

This was the second project Rosa had been hired to do for this client, so she knew just how to merge her client’s free-spirited style with an earthy, grounded luxury that felt both wild and refined. The client loved her former home’s focal-point fireplace, so Rosa set out to recreate it with an unexpected spin: a six-color ombre of Clary Sage SW 6178 (213-C3), Relentless Olive SW 6425 (154-C6), Rock Garden SW 6195 (214-C7), Oakmoss SW 6180 (213-C6), Ripe Olive SW 6209 (217-C7), and Softened Green SW 6177 (213-C2). 

To Rosa, luxury should be inherently loud, and it’s less a trend or a buzzword and more of a cultural reawakening. “As a proud Latina, being expressive, intentional, and noticeable is in my DNA,” she tells us. “To me, ‘loud luxury’ simply means having a personality. It is about being unapologetically you—letting your taste, your emotion, your story show up in your home. Real luxury is in the spaces that love you back, that hug you when you walk in. The statement pieces are just the jewelry; the soul is in the intention.”

Photo by Stephen Moore.

Connect with your Account Executive for support as you bring your most luxurious designs to life—and order your large-format color samples, always complimentary with your PRO+ account.

Top image: Delft SW 9134 (219-C4) in Eg-Shel. Design by Tiffany Skilling. Photo by Sarah Shields Photo.