Decorating & Design
October 26, 2015
5 Design Trends With Timeless Appeal
H&H stylist Reiko Caron shares five timeless design trends.
As I was looking through the H&H archives the other day, admiring great spaces from recent issues back to the ’80s, I noticed a handful of decorating trends popping up again and again. Each year, our featured designers and homeowners prove that a fresh perspective is often all it takes to give an old favorite new life. Not convinced that a trend can be timeless? Check out some of my favorite spaces from recent issues that show five classic looks.
Terracotta floors are making a comeback. Their warmth and affordability makes them the ideal option to add an authentic Spanish touch. In 1987, designer Joanna Thring paired these warm tiles with traditional pine furniture for a country feel, while in July 2015, H&H‘s Morgan Michener and Kai Ethier went for a more eclectic and contemporary look with sleek iron chairs and a marble-topped table.
Vibrant botanical prints were big in the ’80s; just check out this living room from our June/July 1987 issue. And while we still love bright blooms today, we approach them in a more minimal, modern way. In April 2012, H&H‘s Margot Austin took a pared-back approach to pattern, selecting a vibrant duvet and single wall transfer to bring a few hits of color to this gallery-white bedroom.
A black and white kitchen is a recurring trend for good reason: it makes an ideal backdrop for accents in a range of colors and finishes, and has a crisp, graphic look. Back in the late 1980s, white appliances and rounded pulls were popular additions. Now, streamlined hardware, squared-off storage and mixed metal accents feel current.
Purple is a perennial favorite in the accent color department, as it can skew light and romantic or deep and dramatic. In this late-’80s living space, layers upon layers of violet paint and textiles made a strong statement. More recently, H&H‘s Sally Armstrong put a subdued spin on purple by tempering it with neutral hues and natural textures.
This casual living room from our May/June 1993 issue fully embraced the Spanish style trend with its layers of warm color and natural texture. These days, the Spanish-influenced look has a more streamlined vibe, as seen in this 2011 showhome which incorporates leggy seating and a slimmer fireplace profile.