4 Tips To Transcend Trends
When it comes to style, I’ll always gravitate to timeless over trendy. That’s not to say I don’t love keeping tabs on what’s new and fresh — I even forecasted popular design features for 2020 earlier this year. However, those “here today, gone tomorrow” trends simply aren’t the driving force behind my work. My primary design influences are rooted in styles that live outside of the squares of Instagram or the pages of a magazine.
When thinking about a home, I like to imagine how it will feel five, ten, or even fifteen years down the line. Because at the end of the day, a home should be a visual expression of your tastes, your experiences, and your life. It should exude a sense of identity within its walls rather than replicating whatever style is popular at a given moment.
With that in mind, I’m sharing four of my favorite ways to think outside the trend-driven box for a house that encapsulates your personal tastes at every turn.
4 TIPS TO TRANSCEND TRENDS
1. Prioritize Quality
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: home design should consider quality first and foremost. Whether it’s materials, furniture, or finishes, I can promise you that pieces sourced from craftspeople with a keen attention to detail will outlast and outperform their budget counterparts any day of the week. I touched on this idea in a previous post, but I really believe in opting for high quality mainstay pieces and saving the trendy purchases for small accessories like pillows, throws and styling pieces. This approach may mean designing at a slower pace as you patiently wait and save, but I promise it’ll be worth it in the long run.
2. Use Natural Materials
When I’m looking for pieces to stand the test of time, I always come back to the importance of natural materials. I know it can be tempting to consider incorporating faux plants, veneer woods, and other shortcut options, but I’m certain you won’t regret selecting the real deal whenever possible. Plus, not only do natural materials like wood, leather, marble, and metal have a timeless aesthetic, but their long-lasting quality ensures these materials are an investment worth making.
3. Mix Old & New
Quite frankly, going overboard on trends can lead to some big design regrets. While a trend-driven space may look fresh today, the last thing you want is a home that feels wildly dated only a few short years down the line. Rather than jumping aboard the trend train, I’m all about embracing a nuanced style that blends new and vintage pieces for a fresh and layered look.
When working with vintage items, I love incorporating pieces that carry meaning and sentiment to you. Maybe it’s an old family heirloom, a treasured photograph, or a piece of art you picked up abroad. These moments are what make your space tell a story and outlive any design fad you may come across.
4. Stay True to Your Style
As a designer, one of the best pieces of advice I can give is this: when curating the look of your space, think beyond what’s popular and focus on choosing items you really, truly love. Because when all is said and done, your home should tell your story, not someone else’s.
While gathering inspiration is important, keep in mind that social media scrolling can only take you so far. If you are considering a more trendy look, always ask yourself if it’s something you’ll still love a few years down the line. Take time to self-reflect on what color tones, materials, and design features speak to your style, and don’t be afraid to go for it.
