Okay, maybe I just wanted to use the word “hogwash” in one of my post titles. . . I briefly touched on this article from Elle Decor in my last Saturday 6 post, but you can find these kinds of writings all over the internet around the first of each year. They grab a handful of designers and ask them to predict what’s in and what’s out in home decor for the next twelve months. Many of you were quick to point out that this particular list repeatedly contradicted itself–exactly what makes these articles so silly in the first place.
I would say these lists are mostly for the designers themselves to establish some kind of credibility within their field. I’m guessing they’re the same ones who don’t work on projects with what are considered realistic budgets for most people. Or the ones who need to be seen as a trendsetter because they’re pushing their own products. . . How can a plant be out of style? Or a classic print that’s been around for hundreds of years? These things obviously have some kind of staying power or we wouldn’t be talking about them in the first place.
My main beef with trend prediction lists is that they make the less-then-confident person question the green velvet sofa of their dreams that they just saved up for over the last 12 months. Or they tell you your newly renovated kitchen is instantly out of date. Or that your new blush pink bedroom is over–or wait–is it back in? (Both according to the Elle Decor article. . . ) It’s enough to make your decor-loving head spin. It all goes back to trusting your gut. Figure out what you are drawn to time and time again and stick to it.
Design trends aren’t for real people as much as they’re magazine filler. So, I beg you, don’t drag your recently lacquered dresser out to the curb (unless you’re willing to tell me your address).
What do you think of these prediction lists? Are you a fan?
All images from Elle Decor’s Instagram. I actually really like them all, in case you’re looking for someone’s opinion. ;)
I love this! Your home should be a reflection of you and your family, regardless of trends or budgets. I like to see what’s “new” to help me hone in on my likes over the years, but I hate that these articles make someone feel like their home is “less” if it isn’t constantly changed. Not to mention how those articles help drive a crazy level of consumerism in this country!
The best design advice I ever got: if you love it, it belongs.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I laughed over most of those trend predictions last week. Be true to yourself.
My biggest complaint about these articles is that they make me (momentarily) shift my values. My kitchen is definitely dated, but it’s not offensive and I can produce multiple family meals a week. My husband and I value quality time at the dinner table with our teenagers, and our kitchen makes that possible. But when I read an article that states how dated and unappealing my cabinets and counters are, I can feel a lot of discontent!
That reasoning is why I love your blog so much. I feel like you point to making our homes a happy reflection of the family that lives there, and a comfortable spot for us all to land at the end of the day. Thank you!
I like looking at the trends, because sometimes they give me things to think about that I never did before. However, there are things that I love that I will always love – like white kitchens. I don’t care what the new trends say. I love my white kitchen and can’t imagine ever not loving it. So, really I just take the trends with a grain of salt.
Hogwash is the best word for it, absolutely. As much as I love decorating, making our house a home, and freshening things up, one of the best pieces of advice I have received in relation to decorating is, “There is nothing wrong with your house.” If I am considering changes just because I see them in other places, this reminder sets my feet back on the ground every time.
Totally agree w you and first comment. The article lost all credibility when blush was both in and out.
I concur! Blush is a neutral in my book —
So well said, Emily! And hogwash is the perfect word. 😊
No, Im not a fan. I think they are silly and ridiculous. Im with you.
No, Im not a fan. I think they are silly and ridiculous. Never take that stuff seriously. Im with you.
I am cracking up! I’d be right there at the curb with you trying to get someone’s lacquered furniture. :] Such a good perspective to embrace what makes your heart happy in the home.
The trend predictions fall into the same category as “the color of the year.”
Hogwash! I haven’t heard that expression since my Great-Aunt Alice died in the 70’s. LOL
You said it perfectly! (If you don’t want that lacquered dresser, I’ll take it.) :)
agreeing with and appreciating your common sense. And I’m always down for a good hogwash!
As always, you are spot on! Thank you for this!!
This is just the blog I needed to read today. Thank you! Wise words from a designer – my favourite too. If only I lived in the US, or if you lived in Australia.
I agree. As I was reading Elle’s list, I just got annoyed because it changes every month and no two lists are ever the same. I’m really slow to commit to a piece of furniture or rug (I have to love it and feel like it really belongs) so to be told it’s out of style because one designer thinks that way, no thanks!
I love that you are willing to say what many people (including me) are thinking! I also enjoy your sense of humor. Interior design should be fun!
I read the list you posted on your Saturday 6 and it was great entertainment, it had me laughing for sure! I’m 40 something and have finally realized that I don’t care what’s in or out of style (my Guess-jeans wearing junior-high self would be so embarrassed!). I try to fill my home with things my family and I love! I always try to follow the form and function rule- things must be pretty and practical. Nobody wants ugly things in their home (but again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder), but I also don’t want pretty things in my home that are useless (My dear mother had a gorgeous lamp in her home that we could never turn on, because the lamp shade would melt. I loved to read in that room, but once the new lamp came it was too dark to do so, ha ha!) Follow your gut and don’t care what other people think, they don’t live in your home anyway- and the people that do visit your home will love it because it’s yours!
I couldn’t agree with you more, and your realistic view is why I always love to read your blog. I’m embarrassed for the magazine that they published such a nonsensical (another great word) piece.
Thank goodness I read your blog today! This is the first sane opinion I have heard about ignoring the “predictors” that are putting their opinions out there. All it accomplishes is making people doubt their design choices. Stay classic and love your space.
As a fellow designer I applaud the truthfulness of this post. Thank you
Love this! It’s always just about creating new products, it seems to me. I enjoy your no-nonsense way of beauty in your home but having functionality, too. Thank you for proclaiming this, Emily!
Thank you!!! Totally agree and appreciate you for saying this.
Unless I am so trendy I don’t realize it (doubtful), I think trendy decorating is for the birds.
Yes, yes and yes!! Agree with your sentiments! And good to remember that the underlying message in these articles, posts, or whatever are all designed, like commercials, to make us go out and buy! My home is well worn through the constant activity of kids and grandkids… it could use a face lift one day, but for now, it is both classic and well loved, and it feels right.
I hate trend stories but always read them. That’s why they are done, I’m sure.
Not a fan of the lists. My husband & I already love nature & handmade furniture items so that was nice to see on the list as I think more people should appreciate those kind of items. I don’t follow trends, I pick what I like or speaks to me often mixing genres. There are somethings that just don’t date as they are traditional & universal pieces however everything always comes back around in fashion again too so pieces can be held on too & slightly modified if needed. I love your style Emily & have taken inspiration from you over the years.
Well said, Emily! I agree 100%.
I agree with you Emily!! Why would people want to be like everyone else anyway?
I don’t wear trendy clothes and neither does my house. I might throw in a newish shoe or the latest cute earring, but for the most part I dig the classics. I might get a trendy accessory to add in here and there but I would much rather hunt an antique shop or thrift shop over Homegoods or the trendy furniture store downtown. I love your mix. Fresh, classic, some old, some new.
I completely agree! I follow many designers with different tastes and styles and I must say LOVE THEM
ALL! Because I really think if you love it anything goes. My 2 favorites (besides this!) are House of Brimson and The Makerista. They are so unique and different! Not the least bit trendy!
Couldn’t agree more. I actually just cancelled my House Beautiful subscription because I’m so tired of completely subjective lists and way-out-of-any-reasonable-budget design schemes. My whole design philosophy is contradictory to this what’s in/what’s out message. Thanks for the good work Emily! Love following you.
Amen!
I don’t know, give me this amount of money and I’ll let you know if my taste change.
So well said Emily. It is definitely hogwash! For the longest time I wanted my home to be trendy, now I just want it to reflect who we are, casual, comfy, little bit of this, little bit of that, etc! I almost took us to the poorhouse trying to keep up! Great great post Emily!👏
Thank you! Those articles and bloggers annoy me to no end. This whole concept is so wasteful to me. I much appreciate blogs like yours that are about working with what you have and finding small affordable ways to tweak things here and there.
Yes and amen to that! It’s more important to love your surroundings that be “on trend” that apparently will only change the next year as well! Too exhausting :)
Thank you Emily. Your common sense and realness are two of the things I admire about you (and one of the reasons I keep following you while I often grow tired of other bloggers). Even though I pretty much know what I like and what I don’t, those articles do have a way of making me second guess myself, thanks for the reminder to not get caught up in the hype!
Thank you for this post about designers with high-end clientele or those who need to push their own product. My husband and I just completed a $100k kitchen reno after much hesitation about what we loved and what we thought would stay “classic.” I love my white subway tiles and shaker cabinets! I also adore shibori and ikat designs. They all bring me “joy” so thumbs down to the designers and editors who feel they can dictate what trends are already “out”. So true that your home should be a reflection of what makes you and your family get happy feels.
Thank you for encouraging me to stick to what I’m drawn to time and again. I’ve found my tastes grow with me yet still follow some basics that always turn my head. What a refreshing article.
I love this post, thank you for giving a boost of confidence to those of us who aren’t as design-savvy to trust our gut instead of design “trend” articles. (I always suspect they have the motivation of getting people to buy new throw pillows anyway…)
Also I have to confess, when I saw this title I thought it said “Hogwarts” HA!! Any thoughts about Hogwarts design?? ;)
HOGWASH is right. 30 years ago, monthly or even yearly trends were not even heard of! I see the same in clothing, and I am emotionally exhausted. I think you need to trust your gut in both areas; what looks good on you (and your home – from YOUR eyes), follow some really basic rules for both – or NOT; and don’t fall into the trap of the ‘thing of the moment’. I agree with someone who commented who said she looks at trends, and so do I (I may like one of them for my repertoire), but just LOVE what you live with and wear. BAM. Hog is washed.