Should These Top Decorating Trends Stay or Go?

April 9, 2019
78 Comments
Posted in: interior design

The other day, I happened upon a post about top decorating trends from the website, The Spruce? Do you know that site? It’s one that I had not heard of until maybe two or three years ago and then suddenly, they had a huge volume of articles.

In theory, the site is a GREAT idea. However, what concerns me is who is writing this information and is it accurate and thorough enough?

I’m giving it a mixed review. But, it is a clean, nicely laid-out website.

This particular post about top decorating trends discusses the trends that “17 top influencers” feel are on the way out for 2019.

First of all, why 17? That number bothers me. It’s a prime number. And, it’s disturbing my sense of equilibrium. Does anyone else feel that way?

You don’t?

Fine. We’ll let that one go. It’s not that big a deal in the scheme of things.

But crap! What’s wrong with me? I have to interrupt myself.

It’s the Laurel Home SEVEN YEAR blogiversary! Here’s the first post I ever wrote. Actually, it was soooooo bad, that a few years ago, I cleaned it up some. However, I did leave one of the raw links in, as we call them. The proper way is a hyper-link (embedded) as you see throughout this post.

Okay. Let’s get back to the topic at hand, the top decorating trends that need to stay or go? But, first, we need another category and that is, is it a “trend” OR “timeless/classic?”

That’s because some of these so-called trends are not really trends. They are timeless; therefore, it is highly unlikely that they would be on the way out. And please don’t ask me if a design element or style can be both a trend and timeless.* That’s making me dizzy, just trying to compute. Thank you.

Therefore, let’s go over these 17 top decorating trends that are deemed to be on the way out. And let’s decide for ourselves if we agree or not.

Let’s begin with interior decorating trend number one that the Spruce says is on the way out for 2019 (the article is here, if you missed it above)

Terrazzo.

Hold on a sec please. I have to go do something. Why don’t you go make a sandwich or something. I’ll be right back.

Sorry. That took longer than I thought it would. Hope you’re still there. :]

This is what I was doing. I was taking a pic outside my apartment. That’s my door on the right. I do not have an extra-wide door. That is a closet that houses a defunct dumb-waiter. Unfortunately, it’s unusable. My apartment building was built in 1927.

Above, is the original terrazzo floor.

Geeezzz, Terrazzo has been around for centuries.

via Antiques in Italian Interiors – Vol I – Mario Ciampi

Oh, this is bringing back a memory of one of my professors at the New York School of Interior Design circa 1988-89.

Rocco Leonardis is his name. Good God! He’s still there! I had him for at least three courses– all quite enjoyable. Particularly the free-hand drawing class. Yes, with nude models; like that has anything to do with interiors. haha– But, who cares? Anyone have him? Please raise your hand.

I can recall so vividly how Mr. Leonardis who is also a professional architect ADORED terrazzo floors.

As any true Italian gentleman who’s spent his life steeped in the arts, he spoke of them with such sweet fondness bordering on longing. And even though he’s definitely from New York, (or New Jersey), he would say terrazzo like he had just come off the boat from Naples a century earlier.

I’m quite positive that if you dared say that terrazzo was “out,” he’d throw his entire box of cannolis at you.

He was always bringing them in– particularly at the end of the semester. And, he was sure to tell us that they had just been filled. Nothing worse than a soggy cannoli. Right?

Laurel?

Yes?

Can something be both timeless/classic AND a trend?

*Please see above. Thank you, let’s move on…

Interior decor trend #2

The Edison Bulb

Thank you Bobby Berk. I agree completely. Who wants to see a big honking nekked-retina-burning light bulb? It’s enough already.

Bobby Berk via Pamela Moell (@stiltje.se) on Instagram- “21 April 2018 . How to make an entry . Inspiration from @corinnedelobel – I believe this is Corrine’s work. How gorgeous! And I love the all-one color walls, ceiling trim. Remember this post about it here?

interior decor trend #3

White Spaces –

Oh stop!!! And the designers aren’t exactly walking the talk. But white is as timeless and classic as can be.

Half of this website is about the beauty of white. Don’t believe me. Click here.

interior decor trend #4

Mirrored Furniture

It’s a trend that’s been around for quite a while. But, I don’t have a problem with an isolated piece in the right setting. I’m still liking this mirrored coffee table we did 6 years ago. It’s when there’s a bedroom and it’s a matched set of mirrored furniture. Well, a matched set of anything is pretty awful, IMO.

interior decor trend #5

White Walls

(see trend #3) :]

interior decor trend #6

Minimalism

Oh dear. Have they not heard of Philip Johnson’s iconic minimalist masterpiece that is celebrating its 70th birthday? The Glass House.

interior decor trend #7

Hygge

What? Now that we finally learned how to pronounce it, they’re taking it away? However, that’s hardly the point. Hygge is not a trend or a style. It’s a feeling. It’s like saying, we’re going to take away the contentment trend.

via Apartment 34 on instagram. Gorgeous!

For more about hygge, please click here.

interior decor trend #8

Boho

I remember the first time I heard this word; it was in 2011. At the time, I had no idea what it was. For those who don’t know, it’s short for BOHEMIAN if you don’t already know that. Think of the Anthropologie look. I agree that it can get carried away, but over-all am not sure that it’s leaving as much of it is built upon classic styling and proportion.

Instagrammer/designer Sarah McGee (McGizzles) has a pretty, fresh Boho style.

There’s more on this post devoted to her inventive decorating.

And, please check out Sarah’s new website!

interior decor trend #9

Mid-century Modern

It’s not a trend. MCM is a classic, historic style. Of course, one doesn’t have to like it. But that doesn’t mean that it’s going anywhere.

interior decor trend #10

Industrial Accents

The woman who said this is not an interior designer and has one of the pronounced styles of branding on her instagram account I’ve ever seen. Is she right? Well, the industrial look has also been around for a long time. And, in the right setting, like an old loft, is plenty appropriate and even desirable. But, if she’s talking about those steel and wood coffee tables, I’d go along with that, for sure.

interior decor trend #11

Brass

Brass is timeless. Particularly, natural brass or else brass with a believable antique finish. I love this post featuring some gorgeous brass doorknobs.