DESIGNING
SIMPLICITY: HOW INTERIOR DESIGNERS
ARE REFRAMING
SMART HOME
TECHNOLOGY

Decorex Design Talks

As technology and interior design continue to converge, a new narrative is taking shape - one that champions simplicity, elegance, and intuitive experiences over flashy gadgets and overly complex systems. The conversation is changing, and Decorex 2025 will be a showcase for this new way of thinking.

Interior designers Katie Earl from HBA Residential and Naomi Astley Clarke from Naomi Astley Clarke will join CEDIA member and smart home integrator, Pip Evans from NV Integration in the Decorex Talks Theatre to explore the evolution of interior design with smart home technology in a highlight session on Tuesday, October 14 at 3 p.m., entitled, “A Problem-Solving Revolution: Can Smart Home Tech Save Interior Design?”.

We caught up with Naomi and Pip to tease out the themes that will be discussed by the panel. One clear, emerging thread is that clients are increasingly seeking intuitive, pared-back tech solutions that integrate seamlessly into their homes. Today’s homeowners want technology that feels invisible, enhancing their lifestyle without complicating it.

For Pip, the integrator’s challenge is to deliver systems to meet often very complex requirements in a way that is intuitive and easy for the client to operate. At the same time, his business is focused on working with interior designers to “balance aesthetic integrity and functionality.”

Naomi echoed this sentiment.

“My clients want nothing complicated anymore,” she says. “And this shift reflects a broader cultural movement toward mindfulness and minimalism, where homes are sanctuaries, not command centres.”

Lutron at Decorex 2023

At Decorex, expect to see more conversations that reflect this ethos and promise to reshape how we think about the homes of tomorrow.

Another CEDIA member, Homeplay, is collaborating with Hill House Interiors, Lutron, Control4, Sonance, John Cullen Lighting and others to create Serengeti Living, a breathtaking sensory experience on the Decorex show floor.

Serengeti Living is a collaborative feature where technology and nature converge. Designed to challenge perceptions and inspire innovation, this immersive showcase will redefine what can be achieved when intuitive technology is elegantly integrated into a beautiful interior.

The Serengeti Living concept was born from a desire to move beyond conventional tech displays and instead create an environment that evokes emotion, atmosphere, and connection.

Visitors will see how the interior design vision of Hill House Interiors anchors the experience in nature through technology. Inspired by the Serengeti, the space will transition from sunrise to sunset, using lighting and sound to mimic the rhythms of the wild. It’s not just a visual spectacle, it’s a journey.

“We wanted something people would remember,” explains Helen Bygraves from Hill House Interiors. “Something that would surprise and delight, but also show what’s possible when you dream big.”

Kiana Pourrahimi from Lutron agrees. “Luxury is when your client doesn’t have to think about making their home work for them. This sense of luxury balanced with simplicity is at the heart of Serengeti Living’s design philosophy.”

“Thoughtfully designed technology has the power to transform how we experience interiors,” sums up James Ratcliffe of Homeplay. “With Serengeti Living, we’re demonstrating how close collaboration with interior designers can elevate environments in truly meaningful ways. We warmly welcome all designers to visit us on Stand L20, where they can immerse themselves in this wonderful space and feel its impact firsthand.”