Think that’s a new home décor trend emerging? Probably not. Much of what we think of as new and fresh is actually old- open shelving to replace upper cabinets in the kitchen, boho décor, brightly colored furniture and appliances, stainless steel appliances, brass pendant lights, gallery walls, open living floor plans. All borrowed from other decades. And I’m here for it.
I’ll Take That and That and That and That….
I’ve always had a soft spot for vintage and retro décor (clothing and movies!) and I love to see a home that does it right. What I’d love to see make a stronger comeback? Things like……
Sunken living rooms.
Not just a separate room with a couple of stairs leading down to it but a sunken seating area in the middle of the room. I just love that look. I mean, this picture is irresistible to me. (And peep those breeze blocks outside the windows, which also make an appearance on this list!)
Vintage television sets.
I get that we’re currently obsessed with televisions that are as thin as paper but I’d love to have a 4k screen in a midcentury set. Something that adds some character and interest. A décor piece in its own right.
Proper serving dishes.
Let’s start using the china, the silver coffee set and proper glasses when we have guests over. Let’s make gatherings feel special. I love the idea of fancy cocktail parties or the old tradition of having your boss and her husband over for dinner and using beautiful place settings, drink glasses and dessert ware. Would I want to be the one doing the dishes? No. But I like the idea.
Wrought iron patio sets.
Add a fringe umbrella with a patterned underside to match the fabric on the seat cushions and I swoon. Every once in a while a store will offer a version of this but it never lasts. These sets feel classic and elegant to me.
Ornate doorknobs.
I want art deco back plates and crystal knobs. I’ve truly had enough of modern, boring doorknobs on interior and exterior doors.
Using breeze blocks for privacy.
Don’t you just love a breeze block wall? They give a punch of retro while feeling fresh and unexpected. I hardly ever see them in the North East but I imagine they’re more popular in the desert!
Vintage rotary phones.
These phones are so glamorous. I’ve dreamed about repurposing one so that it charges my cell phone and rings when my cell phone is docked. I don’t want a land line but I want one of these phones!
While designers, decorators and magazines would have us believe they’re creating something groundbreaking each decade/year/season they’re usually just taking a page from history. If you want to give your home some fresh updates (and perhaps predict the next big home décor trend) reimagine trends from the past. They had a lot of fun bringing style, fun and functionality into the home.
XOXO
