Three Trends I Can Get Behind
By Christa TerryTrends bug me. A lot. For one thing, keeping up with what’s “in” takes a lot of dough when you’re talking about home decor. It’s way easier to dress fashionably on a budget than it is to keep one’s house completely up to date. Most of us just can’t afford to update our accessories, upholstery, furniture, and fixtures every couple of years. Then there’s the fact that almost every trend will be trendy again in a few decades. True story: My grandparents had this bizarre abstract mirrored wallpaper when I was a tot, and I would kill to find it again!
Thus, I tend to take the trends I read about in all of the home decor magazines I subscribe to with a grain of salt. The way I see it, if you stay true to your own style, you’ll be comfortable in your own home and said home will be trendy every couple of decades, no matter what you do to it. How’s that for low maintenance? The trick is to wait until whatever you like is hot, and then capitalize on that by buying a bunch of it or ganking other people’s ideas while there’s plenty of stuff and ideas to be had.
Below the cut are three trends I *can* get behind, mostly because you can take them and make them your own. It was super easy to find manifestations of each that I liked — and if you like them, click on the pics for more info.
Bright colors:
Original art:
A little bit of sparkle:
See how easy that is? Trends are only useful when you can take them and make them your own. If you don’t feel a particular attraction to what’s “in,” then go forth into the world and find something you do dig. Sometimes that will mean shopping at consignment shops because no one else shares your tastes, but I see that as a plus. It means that your $50 or $100 or $500 or whatever is going to go a hell of a lot farther than your trend-slave compatriots.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Strong saturated colors are definitely in for the long haul due to the changing demographics in the country especially due to global influences. I am so tired of beige! And don’t you love the availability of wonderful, inexpensive, original art either thru art fairs or the internet!!??!! As for shiny, call me a magpie and bring on the bling! Mirrors, raku, and metals…Yea!
August 14th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Thank God for increasing popularity of bright colors in interiors and shine. I’m Indian, we love our bright colors and bling!
August 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am
A friend told me once I am not fashionable, I am stylish. Fashion means what everyone else is doing; style means what looks good on me. I think the rule can apply to home decor as well.
PS I think she was being very gracious in saying I was stylish.