On Design: Likey or No-Likey? Trends in detail

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Thank you again for joining us! In this week's design chat, we talk about design trend elements - what we like, hate or even nearly gag over. From Buddha to Zebra - hang on for a wide ranging, and yes, opinionated chat. Comments welcome!


image courtesy of Williams-Sonoma

Comments

susan said…
I'm doing my work and listening to this and I really enjoy it, whatever the opinions are, it's interesting to hear them all. I actually put it on a second time, it's on now!

Very enjoyable stuff.
April 30, 2009 at 10:05 AM
LindsB said…
I loved this discussion today!

I have items in my house that are considered current trends, like a Buddha statue for example. I used to worry if people would think I have it because it’s cool and trendy, when it fact we have it because my BF is Buddhist. But, I have learned not to care anymore- if it’s something I love and will have for a long time past trends then its ok. I mean trends come and go and naturally there will be something I have that is trendy at one point or another, right?
April 30, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Rachel@oneprettything.com said…
These are always so much fun to listen to! I'm of the "if you love it, who cares" school of thought but I'll admit, when I start seeing things "everywhere" (usually in mags and blog, rarely in real life) it will slowly start to annoy me if it's in my own home.

I'll also admit to having a Buddah statue. It's a ceramic cat Buddah that I picked up at a gallery on vacation. I love it! He has a tiny hole in his paw and I keep him on my dresser with a single flower tucked in the hole. Am I the only one who hides their "trendy" items away in less public rooms? =)

I'll be linking to this and I can't wait for the next episode!
April 30, 2009 at 1:32 PM
modernemama said…
I'm surprised no one mentioned the environmental aspects of using real coral in home decor.
April 30, 2009 at 1:48 PM
cotedetexas said…
Modern mama - besides actual "real" coral - the coral trend includes paintings of coral, coral on placemats, toilet paper (yes!), fabrics, bedding, etc. Also, much coral out there is faux, made of resin. Is coral being over cultivated? I have no idea, but green issues should be discussed for sure!!! thanks for the comment.
Joni
April 30, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Visual Vamp said…
For some reason you all sound like munchkins, or like you've been inhaling helium!
I love this idea!!! Looking forward to the next show!
xo xo
April 30, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said…
I think I must be weird because I never buy according to trends...just buy what I really love. Once I do commit and buy, I virtually never want to get rid of it...I'm probably a designer's nightmare! (LOL) Enjoying listening in and hearing all your thoughts on the different topics you're covering. :-) Susan
April 30, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Treacy said…
I love your program! It was great to listen to you three debate and collaborate! As an Interior Designer, I have experienced regional opposition...or obsession- regarding trends and classic or contemporary elements, each time I have relocated and established new clientele in different locations in the U.S. I find it so interesting. My personal thoughts and advice to a client regarding trends are, "If you love it- go for it. Just don't spend a fortune!!". I don't want them feeling sick as they are handing it off to Goodwill in a year or two! Trends are so temporary for most everyone. There are the rare exceptions though, and I think any passing thing, can become an object of passion for a few! For me it has always been grasscloth wallcovering! I know, I know....very controversial ;) I had my family room papered with it in my very first home, 31 years ago. I stopped specifying (or even allowing the words to cross my lips) for my personal homes and clients in the early 80s...but I have passionately loved the look of Grasscloth, always! I can't tell you why, I just do.

And Joni, on your reference to french antiques being timeless; I have had a bergere chair, that was in my childhood home in photos with my older Brothers, before I was even born. I love seeing the different fabrics my Mom chose for it over the years. It has had 3 coverings over the past 30 years that it has lived in my home...my design style has changed with the years and yet even back in a modern, less is more time frame, the chair has always been perfect and very at home.

I am already anxious to hear what you will be chatting about next week! I need to figure out how to get your programs into my iPod for my travel listening!

Thanks for the pleasure!
Treacy
April 30, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Cheri (aka "The Mom Lady") said…
As far as "religious" symbols being offensive to others, we're talking about a person's HOME, their personal SPACE! Has the "political correctness" mavens invaded our homes too?? In my opinion, if someone, a GUEST in your home, acts offended or expresses outrage over what you have in your own personal home, ladies, they should never be invited back and your "relationship" should be in question. One's home is one's bastion against the world, where we relax, unwind, shed the world.
April 30, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Tracy Watier said…
Several years ago--5? 6?--I sooo badly wanted a ceramic garden stool. They had been on my radar forever to use as a classic, interesting occasional table and finally I had the perfect space for one in my home. I looked and looked but wasn't willing to spend three, four, or even five hundred dollars on a Chinese import or actual antique--and that's all I seemed to be able to find. Shortly after I began my search, they started showing up in ALL the design mags. So they were more readily available and therefore more affordable but there was NO WAY I could buy one now and have it look like I jumped on that trend bandwagon. Last week, I walked into a HomeGoods and there were probably twenty garden stools of every imaginable material--ceramic, wood, metal, resin, wire!! I hate it when a perfectly good design is ruined by trendiness. But like you all inferred, the "trend" will end, the good "design" will remain and THAT'S when I'll think again about getting a garden stool!
April 30, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Angela at Giannetti Home: Design Online said…
Nice job ladies, looking forward to the next "episode".
May 1, 2009 at 5:38 AM
Kelly said…
I agree with Treacy (the interior designer) about how where you live affects your choices of decor. I live in GA. Being in the suburbs of the south, we tend to stick to a more traditional classic look with a few trendy pieces thrown in. However, if I lived in the city (even in the south), I would probably be alot trendier because that is the nature of living in the city anyway. I would be exposed to more modern elements and lifestyle. I always enjoy listening to your points of view. Glad to know that you 3 are divided about these issues as much as everyone else.
May 1, 2009 at 7:03 AM
Leigh said…
Thank you so much for this site, ladies. As a "regular person" (former chemist, homeschooling mom, etc.), I've always been frightened of decorating. I never got into design magazines - I didn't know where to look, and Better Homes and Gardens was just too cheesy. Maybe it was my minimalist 90s youth or my mother's country kitchen style, I don't know, but I was afraid to decorate AT ALL. I didn't want to look dated, trendy, didn't want to spend a lot of money.

I found Decorno about two months ago, then all of you, and let me tell you, my life has changed! I'm much more comfortabel choosing things that I LIKE, and not really worrying about the rest. I pick a piece at a time and just go with the flow. Since I have inspirational photos and professional voices in my head I have so much more confidence. My house is my own, it works for me and my three (soon to be four!) kids, and I love it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
May 1, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Nevis said…
Love the coral, ikeat totally not my bag. Personally I think trends are okay if you would have purchased the item even if it weren't a trend. Like, do you just love it (beyond) it being a trend? Because if you love it, that's all that matters....once the trend has passed you'll still love it. Right?
May 1, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Swan Family said…
I love your new site! It is helping me LOVE color more and I am learning how to add it to my house!
May 1, 2009 at 8:45 PM
LIBERTY POST EDITOR said…
Wonderful lively discussion. You didn't mention suzanni's! Joni, you wrote in a post a while ago that you were seeing too many of them so now you consider them a bit passe...but I love them and I haven't even got one yet!
Sincerely Your Righteous Gentile. (I just read that title on wiki about converting...ha!)
May 2, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Linda Merrill said…
Treacy - thanks for your thoughts and your comment about being able to download our podcasts - we're working on that now! So, stay tuned on that one!
May 2, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Linda Merrill said…
Cheri (Mom Lady) - you're right, our homes are our private bastions. But, all those shown in the magazines and blogs are not longer private, really. But, there is something in being culturally sensitive without it being political correctness, imho. If you went into someone's home and found a KKK banner, or a swastika as decoration - or a Crucifix as a necklace or towel holder - it might be a little off putting, depending on your personal attachments and views. Just food for thought. But, it's great to have these discussions and so nice of everyone to put out your views and comments!
May 2, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Linda Merrill said…
btw - all the talk of busts - did anyone notice that I have on in my blog header??? HAH!
May 2, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Anonymous said…
As a vegan and animal rights activist who happens to LOVE decorating and all things having to do w/it, I'm shocked that you are all so naive regarding zebra skins. Did you know that many animals are routinely skinned alive to get their coats and fur in one piece? You must educate yourselves and your audience. You cannot ignore the cruelty that takes place everyday in factory farming. I urge you to log on to PETA's website to get the facts. Good design is beautiful and lovely and does not have to harm animals to be achieved. Living a green and compassionate life is a beautiful way to live.
May 4, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Boxwood Terrace said…
It's fun to play with trends although I'm usually on the tail end (just now contemplating zebra pillows, no zebra rug for me unless it's some kind of faux). I've had a beautiful piece of white coral found in an antique shop ten years ago and only bring it out in the summer. Great post/discussion. Suggestion for future topic: maybe you could discuss sometime how people can define their style, narrow down choices, etc.? Deborah
May 4, 2009 at 6:24 PM
modernemama said…
Cote de Texas: I made the earlier comment on real coral because some interior designers still advocate using it in the home. There is a real environmental issue here - visit Too Precious to wear and Sea Web for more details. I understand The Skirted Roundtable is just a design coffee klatsch and I totally agree that the coral trend is overdone (I've written a couple of blogposts on that subject myself) but if designers don't know about these issues maybe listeners and bloggers can educate them.
By the way, it's modernemama not modern mama. Attention to detail is everything, don't you think.
May 7, 2009 at 6:29 AM
Decor To Adore said…
I loved that the general consensus was that often trends are very personal. My motto is just to use what I love.
July 14, 2009 at 8:55 AM
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