Blog Edition | Cultivated Curiosities
Latest Interior Trends
From the May 2024 issue of 517 Magazine, here is my take on the latest interior design trends:
If you’ve been paying attention to the current maximalism trends in interior design, you both know what my house has forever looked like AND might be noticing that everything old is new again. This approach is great for those of us who struggled with Marie Kondo because everything brings us joy. We may now embrace abundance.
If you did manage to minimalize your home or office, the beauty of this trend is that it is incredibly easy to build upon what you already have without spending a fortune. The best places, in my experience, to find what is hottest this era are my usual haunts: thrift stores, antique shops, estate sales, architectural salvage outlets, and the outdoors.
Here are the items I would keep an eye out for to curate a gorgeous maximalist space if it wasn’t already my way of life:
Anything old and brass - Seek out vintage candle holders (for pillars or tapers), sculptures, door stops, and trays. If you find polished brass pieces, the internet is full of ways to age them quickly so they look more weathered than they are. Pewter and silver items are great, too, but displaying them in groups by color helps create a luxurious feel.
Chunky picture frames - Bonus points if you find ones that are gold and/or gilded. It doesn’t even matter the size. Depending on your palette, you can spray them whatever color fits your motif.
ART - Probably my favorite element of this trend, old paintings and reproductions are having a moment. Even if you don’t love the classics, old coffee table books about artists or styles can be a great way to fill your chunky frames with work that looks priceless.
Bookshelves - There’s a term floating around I love. “Shelf wealth.” The more books and art on our shelves, the more wisdom we’ve accumulated – our truest wealth. My favorite shelves are old wood built-ins, but if you currently have modern bookcases, you can get ideas from makeover hack videos. It’s incredible what people do with a paintbrush and a few nails.
Vintage glass - Old medicine bottles, fancy candy dishes, urns, and unique jars; these things can all be filled with your favorite foliage and treasures.
Sticks and stones - No, really. Interesting pieces of wood, rock collections, feathers, acorns, pinecones, even foliage … all of those curious, organic items you find in your travels now have a meaningful purpose in your home.
The idea is to surround yourself with inspiration and beauty. Whose life isn’t richer for that?
Here is a list of items inspired by this collection that can be purchased online if you don’t feel like hunting and gathering as I do.
