Hiving: opening the doors to interaction with others

Throughout the 1990’s, when cocooning was the buzz word, the home was considered a refuge, a safe and intimate place to withdraw to. After the 9/11 attacks, financial scandals, and the dawning of the globalization era, a new trend has emerged: hiving. We are now looking for more connection with those around us; we want greater interaction but from the comfort of our own homes. This is a trend that affects many lifestyle aspects, but interior decoration and architecture in particular.

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Using home base to open up to the rest of the world
Interior decoration with a hiving approach
For the kitchen and bathroom
The yard

Using home base to open up to the rest of the world

The word "hiving" may not belong to the language of Shakespeare, but it does nevertheless put a name to a very significant and emerging trend, one that according to home decoration experts will be equally influential as its predecessor, "cocooning". The "hive" becomes a home base not only of comfort, but of activity and engagement that is connected with the surrounding environment.

The comeback enjoyed by knitting and scrapbooks, the increase in popularity of board games such as Monopoly, the rise in the number of television shows and magazines on interior decorating, the surge in the number of people working from home and operating businesses from home – all point to hiving as a major trend.

What does this imply? We’ll be staying home much more, and staying in solid touch with family, friends, and community. Everyone in the house can go about their own business while sharing the same living environment. This is being reflected in the construction of open-area homes and the creation of multi-use spaces that can accommodate a sizeable number of people.

Interior decoration with a hiving approach

As a result of the trend towards hiving, loft-style living spaces and multi-functional workspaces have steadily risen in popularity. In order to allow residents to connect in one "public space" we’ve had to de-compartmentalize. The open multi-use living areas are favoured in terms of importance and space over "private" rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms, which have been downscaled.

Along the same lines, opportunities for interaction through discussion can be further encouraged by removing the television from the living room, and installing instead a separate home cinema area. You could even set up a billiard room.

Strong continuing design elements are light and horizontalness. This is particularly evident with electrical appliances. After years of soothing, quieter pastel colours on the walls, we are now seeing the return of more vibrant, livelier colours. This return to colour not only affects the rooms in the home but appliances and accessories as well, offered now in a range of "design" colours. Comfort and functionality, however, remain front and foremost.

For the kitchen and bathroom

The kitchen has generally tended to be the central focus of the home. Whether a discussion room, children’s study room, where you prepare your finest cuisine or where you get together with friends, there’s no getting around it; everything happens in the kitchen!

The island counter therefore becomes a focal point of the kitchen. Chairs or stools arranged around the island permit you and your guests to sit down and chat with the cook at the same time. It should also be big enough to accommodate a practical and comfortable work surface. The big rectangular table usually found in the kitchen has been abandoned in favour of a square table: that way, everyone can see each other and help themselves at the same time. Again, the purpose is to favour easy interaction.

The pantry must also be expanded to serve new and increased demands. It needs to be well stocked so that nothing will hold you back from issuing last minute dinner invitations! Of course, you should have on hand a good bottle of wine or two, ready to be opened and enjoyed. This is why a small storeroom would be a welcome addition, or a wine refrigerator placed either in the kitchen or the dining room

We enjoy inviting family and friends over, and very often to share in a fine meal. A double oven or stove equipped with a warming drawer will make the preparation of a large meal so much smoother, and allow everyone to enjoy it at the same time. It really is worth the effort to seek out one of these options. Countertop espresso and cappuccino systems will also go a long way towards creating an easy-going, conversational "bistro" atmosphere.
Multi-use spaces mean that people can multi-task, which is definitely part of the future with the trend towards "hiving". We want to be able to check our e-mails while listening to the news and waiting for supper to cook. Leaving a laptop handy on a corner of the counter or on the island counter is no longer seen as odd, or frowned upon. Installing a home computer corner in the kitchen can be very practical, and represents an option more and more people are choosing. You’d like to watch a little TV while the dishwasher is running? Hold a family discussion while the laundry’s being done? It’s all possible these days; very quiet and high-performance appliances are now available.

Whether for the kitchen or the laundry room, we’re adding sinks – in addition to the main sink – so that everyone in the house can go about their own business at the same time, truly multi-tasking in a multi-use space!

Other brand new possibilities for the laundry room involve washing machines that are equipped with cycles that offer the same results as dry cleaning, meaning big saves in time and trips to the dry cleaners while still managing to take perfect care of your clothes.

The yard

More than ever, the yard is becoming a living space in its own right. We also want to be able to make use of the terrace, fair weather or foul, which is why gazebos, awnings, and verandas are now so popular. What could be better than a large spa for entertaining friends? It is the ideal spot for relaxing and sipping a cocktail at the same time; a thoroughly pleasant relaxation area to replenish your energy or have an enjoyable conversation.

The time when we were content with a simple barbecue set up on a corner of the patio is a thing of the past. In its stead we now have an outdoor version of a complete kitchen, equipped with instruments, fine dishes, running water, and a good working surface. We want to live outside, but we want to do so with the same comfort level we enjoy inside. Small patio fireplaces and mosquito blockers have seen their popularity increase because they allow us to prolong those congenial evening hours.

To take full advantage of the time you have available for family and friends, choose materials needing only the minimum of care and maintenance. PVC, Trex – wood and plastic composite products – are all solutions that combine durability, aesthetics, and easy maintenance.

Whenever we refer to "opening up to the world" we include the great outdoors. A fact that could explain the burgeoning popularity of horticulture, gardening, and outdoor life. The garage should be organized in such a way that all pieces of equipment are within easy reach, using practical shelving, hooks, and storage units. Nothing, then, can stop you from engaging in your outdoor activities as soon as inspiration strikes!
More than a trend, it’s a way of life

With its high-performance appliances and penchant for the very latest in technology, do you think hiving is beyond your means? Not necessarily. If you want to spend a lot of time with family and friends and your outlook is one of openness to the outside and to the world, you are a "hiver". With just a little paint, some rearranging, and, most of all, the desire to create a welcoming atmosphere in your home, you too will be following this trend that is most of all a way of life and approach to the world.
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