3 Fashion Week Trends to Try at Home

By Marni Elyse Katz
September 16, 2011

With New York Fashion Week having just wrapped up, we studied the Spring 2012 fashion trends from a slightly different perspective: to see which ones could be seamlessly integrated into our home decor.

Color Blocking with Black

Spring 2012: Narciso Rodriguez (photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week), Marc by Marc Jacobs (photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images), Tibi (photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

Color blocking has always been a fashion look that lends itself to pillows and upholstery, as well as playroom and nursery walls with some careful planning. This season fashion designers have infused the look—one that's been popular now for several seasons running—with more than a few shots of black. While all black wardrobes are go-to solutions for urbanites, some may balk at black home décor. The thing is, right now black walls are incredibly chic. A small burst of color may be just what these rooms need to go mainstream.

Finding crisp color block items for your décor on eBay is a snap. These examples follow the season’s palette of mixing bolds with black.

Roll over items for details

Donna Karan Dkny Cherry Color Block Tumbler

(buy it now price, $8.91)

Mondrian Color Block Double Switch Plate Cover

(buy it now price, $6.99)

Hotel Collection Tri-Color Block Queen Bedding Set

(buy it now price, $99.99)

Native American Motifs

Spring 2012: Alexander Wang (photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images), Jen Kao (photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week), BCBG Max Azria (photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Global and African tribal prints, from ikats to suzanis, flew off runways into rooms faster than any other fashion trend, and continue to flourish. Last season fashion designers started introducing more than a smattering of Native American motifs. Navajo, Aztec, and Inca-inspired prints are continuing to flourish on dresses, sweaters, pants, and tops, while jewelry and accessory designers are playing with handicraft elements, like feathers and beading. Home décor with Southwestern flair has tended toward the overly thematic in the past, but we think one quick infusion of the style goes a long way.

Curate pieces with Southwestern patterning by searching eBay using keywords like “native American,” “Aztec,” and “Navajo.”

Pillow Made with Ralph Lauren Hawk Springs Aztec Fabric

(buy it now price, $24.99)

Wool Southwest Navajo-Style Rug

Contemporary Navajo Pot

(buy it now price, $39.99)

Mismatched Prints

Spring 2012: Thakoon (photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Kerastase), Chris Benz (photo by Randy Brooke/WireImage), Peter Som (Photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images)

Fashion designers are still obsessed with mismatched prints for next season. Everything goes here, from florals and stripes to geometric designs to more abstract patterning, and even dots and stars. The only rule is to mix and mismatch. The question is: Can you pull this off at home? We think so. Try it with a heap of pillows on your sofa, or go with a patterned rug and accent with a riot of accessories that you can easily swap in and out. Experimentation is key here.