home decor

Home decor always on trend

Trends come and go. Some, like farmhouse, have managed to stick around for a while and go through a few evolutionary changes. However, at the end of the day, it is still a trend and unless you live on a farm, you might want to tone the moo and oink down. Then there are design styles that just have that evergreen status – like MCM. But in this post, I want to focus on specific design pieces that transcend styles and eras and are always a great addition to any space that goes beyond neutrals and white bed sheets. Home decor elements that will always be on trend.

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Plants and flowers in Home Decor

Can nature ever NOT be in style? Plants have definitely gained a lot in popularity in 2020 during the “panorama” with some pretty competitive pricing. And if that is you and you have a green thumb, it may make sense to invest into the specimens with a premium price tag. Bottom line, whether you get a Swiss cheese plant or a cactus, your home will immediately get cozier and warmer.

Green has a calming effect and I have been trying my best to cure my gangrene thumb to add some natural elements AND living air purifiers. So far, I’ve only managed to purify my wallet of the other kind of green. One exception is my lovely pothos that I’ve managed to keep alive for two years now.

always on trend pothos plant on books with Buddha

Luckily, there are faux plants to add to the mix. Even better, they keep getting more and more realistic, like the snake plant below. It’s an easy way to incorporate plants without the upkeep, but for air purification you’ll need to invest into a HEPA filter.

realistic Faux plant

Additionally, I often get cut flowers to brighten up my home and not make me feel so bad when they wither. My favorite and ridiculously inexpensive are $5 Calla lilies stems from my local grocery store. Each bunch comes with one to two stems that branch off into multiple buds. Usually one flower will be open and the rest bloom over the course of couple of weeks. As the early ones complete their life cycles, I cut them off and keep enjoying the new flowers for a few weeks.

Cut flowers used in decor, Calla Lilies in a blue vase, home decor always on trend

Raw Wood – always on trend

Raw Wood is another natural element and endlessly versatile going beyond furniture. My personal favorite is olive wood, especially in the kitchen. It is one of the most versatile materials in home decor that will always be on trend. High contrast in the grain pattern is universally inviting, as it adds so much texture even in the smaller pieces. And the not-too-warm hue makes it look modern and adaptable to any style. And it looks great in photos, like this spoon rest.

olive wood spoon rest with eggs - raw wood always on trend

But I love collecting wood pieces that look organic and imperfect. Like my sugar mold candle holder. Or succulent planter depending on who you ask. I don’t know it’s history, but I absolutely love that it was half eaten by critters and how the light comes through some of the holes when candles are lit.

always on trend sugar mold

Neutral Color Marble never gets old

Marble is very prominent in the mainstream these days. So much so, that the marble design ended up on some unexpected items, like phone cases, blankets and even manicures. For a life-long lover of marble, this is kind of an abomination and I steer clear of these trends. But, I will always pick up a nice solid item made of the real thing. Because marble will ALWAYS be on trend in home decor and design!

Genuine neutral color marble will always add sophistication to any nook and it truly belongs in any style home. White, gray and black marble have a timeless quality that just can’t be reproduced. Just look at this stunning dining table! It combines the classic lines of a tulip table with a rich black marble top.

Sadly, large pieces of marble come at a hefty price. This is still not a reason to buy furniture with faux stone top. It will look fake and cheapen the space. If real marble is a budget buster, it is better to opt out for marble elements, like trays or bowls. These will bring in some elegance and elevate the space without spending a fortune.

This is my favorite vignette in my kitchen with not one, but two marble pieces – a white marble mortar and pestle and a gray marble cheese board. They not only look great, but it this is an efficient way to save some cabinet space while keeping a serving tray within reach. And, there is that olive wood detail, too.

trendy marble details - cheese tray and mortar and pestle always on trend

Again, this only pertains to natural-color marble. Other varieties like reds and greens can work in very specific situations, but they definitely do not fit every design direction. Personally, I am not a fan, but the selection should be made based on how it complements the space. And if these uncommon colors complete someone’s vision, I would love to see the end result.

Pottery – earthy decor element

Continuing the theme of natural elements, I cannot possibly leave out pottery. The earthiness of each piece brings in that grounding and calming feelingI often crave. Rough surfaces and imperfections serve as a reminder that these items were handmade. I love feeling the texture under my fingertips and imagining the process it had to go through to take shape.

And I always look for fun elements to add to my designs. I knew I had to have this quirky vase, as soon as I spotted it at a local antique shop. It even has a carved mouth making it a pretty useless vessel for cut flowers. I didn’t care one bit and brought it home.

Home decor always on trend earthware pottery

Mixing mediums makes them even more special, like this small bowl still available in our shop on etsy.

pottery

Velvet for a soft touch

The very definition of luxury, this fabric has been around for millennia. It’s soft texture and sheen are like no other were always a sign of wealth and royalty. It is no surprise that velvet has become so sought after and versatile, being used for clothing, drapery and furniture.

I use it in my home quite bit. My dining room chairs are upholstered in velvet and I have velvet accent pillows and curtains. I love using it in my upholstery, as well. Here is a nice little chair I updated.

home decor always on trend: velvet upholstered chair

But, velvet can look heavy and overwhelm the space, especially one meant for light and airy design. In that case, velvet can come in handy as a layering element, like a couple of velvet pillows on a sofa mixed in among other materials and patterns. Light-colored details made out of velvet will look beautiful in a coastal home adding just a touch of that cloud-soft texture, while not weighing down the overall design.

Just picture curling up in a reading nook under a blanket with a book and a cup of coffee. This scene is not complete without an inviting velvet pillow.

Chesterfield Sofa – everlasting versatility for any trend

Apparently, I am a big fan of tufted furniture. I didn’t really think I had a “tufting problem” until I realized that every single piece of furniture I own in my 3-bedroom home was tufted. Including my Chesterfield sofa in linen with upholstery nails instead of decorative nails.

There are so many variations of the Chesterfield sofa on the market in all imaginable fabrics and finishes and even some variations in lines. They are all great and can fit any style, but nothing beats the original sofa that started it all – a good old leather Chesterfield that just gets better with age.

Chesterfield  sofa
Conrad Sofa by franceandson.com

Speaking as an upholsterer, this piece of furniture is not easy to do. It requires a lot of buttons that are usually manually produced on top of tens of hours and great technique to bring this masterpiece to life. But it is a piece that can be passed from generation to generation and truly fit into every design style – from a high brow library in an English manor to an ultra modern concrete-laden home.

Typewriters – timeless tech for timeless home design

I may have mentioned it once or thrice that I love typewriters. Yes, that was a nod to Schitt’s Creek. These writing devices were among the first items I listed on Etsy when I first started reselling. But I was mesmerized by them since I was a kid. Growing up, we didn’t have one at home. But I remember obsessively pushing buttons and moving levers every time we visited relatives who were so lucky to have this mechanical masterpiece. I don’t think I’ve ever really grown out of this phase and now own four of them.

In addition to it being a great way to distract any child, typewriters are great conversation pieces. Because of their robust design, they often fit beautifully in every nook – from a mid-century living room, to a farmhouse office, a victorian parlor and even an ultra modern home. And this is what makes this mechanical wonder is often part of home decor and always on trend.

Just looking at this specimen makes me so happy.

There are a few rules I follow when buying typewriters:

  • The older the better. I don’t buy typewriters made after 1960’s. They are just not as interesting or valuable
  • They have to be fully mechanical. NO CORDS. NO PLASTIC FRAMES. PERIOD!
  • They have to be in good working condition. Yes, I test every single button and lever to make sure they advance and work properly.
  • I check the space bar for movement speed. If the movement seems sluggish or inconsistent and jerky, most of the time I pass. Unless it’s a really old specimen. The reason is that there is a thread coil that regulates the text advancement and replacing or tightening this means taking the whole thing apart and not being able to fix it or even put back together.
  • Gunk and dust can be removed with alcohol and Q-tips, but excessive rust is usually a NO for me
  • Cases are a great BONUS, but older ones will most likely not have one and that is OK

Did I mention this list of home decor always on trend was subjective?

It can be hard to not not be swayed by ever-changing home design and it’s completely ok. Just like it always happens, these fashionable elements tend to start looking old and outdated pretty quickly. Therefore, it’s best to incorporate home decor pieces and finishes that will always be on trend. This way the base is solid and will resist the time, while small trendy items can be changed easily and often.