Tracy Bulla — Home Accents Today,
When the New Classic look first hit the home accents market, the focus was streamlined and stripped down – a direct departure from the excess
ornamentation and gilded frivolity of traditional design, yet still rooted in highly classic form.
As New Classic has continued to evolve each season, the overall framework has crept back slowly toward the decorative and ornamental in completely different fashion. Today, the overall look has peaked in opulence; the main difference being the decoration is driven by contemporary influences in terms of proportion, color and pattern to create a look that is fresh and light, instead of heavy and outdated.
Themes from a variety of different eras converge, creating a free-for-all design philosophy that indulges the desire not to be constrained by one particular period. Some of the best classic designs history has to offer – Greco-Roman, Baroque, neoclassic and Islamic – are all here for the taking. Busts, swags and finials as well as Greek key and fleur de lis motifs are plentiful, to name a few.
The importance of patterns (whether applied to plates, pillows or upholstered pieces) cannot be underestimated. Powerful, eye-popping patterns such as rescaled, recolored damasks and vintage wallpaper designs amplify clean, streamlined silhouettes to perfection, creating the feeling of ornate opulence. Antique ironwork, yet another highly classic form of imagery, serves as the inspiration for a round of patterns and prints that pack a whopping punch.
Additionally, the over-the-top swags, swirls and curls of Baroque design play a strong role, embellished with a feeling of fun. Instead of dark weighty finishes that would feel heavy and oppressive today, accent furniture, frames and mirrors become almost theatrical when finished in ultra-polished lacquer or high-gloss enamel. Done in black and white, the look is fresh, fun and dramatic; when shown in vibrant shades like scarlet, turquoise or fuchsia, the look becomes even more extravagant.
Victorian themes continue to grow in strength, showcased in terrariums, butterfly and insect motifs, and curio-influenced designs. The growing trend toward lace and wallpaper-style prints supports the look. Additionally, creamware-inspired tabletop designs like elaborate pitchers and cakestands (frequently shown in color in addition to traditional cream) were on the rise in showrooms around market.
Perhaps the newest look on the horizon is the reinvented return of country. Rustic, yes, but surprisingly upscale and elegant. A blend of European influences (a particularly strong nod to Swedish Gustavian) and vintage kitsch is surprisingly sophisticated and casually laidback at the same time. Keep an eye out for this look to grow in importance.
Color trends this market center around the use of white: Blue (cobalt or indigo) and white, brown (mocha or espresso) and white, and the unstoppable black and white. Colors are instead used as an accent to set off these combinations, such as market favorites like emerald, red, marigold, lavender and deep purple.
The contemporary market spotlights gold, silver and newest, copper as an antidote to color. Patterns and texture are created through leafing and other interesting applications of metal with dots as a favored new pattern. Birds, faux bois, antlers and other nature-influenced designs continue to rule the roost in modern design.
In addition to classic-inspired patterns, batik and block-print styles are on the rise from a global style standpoint. Exotic florals and botanicals, particularly those with an Asian appeal, are dominant in every category across the board.
