In/Out Report: Interior Design Right Now

By Emily Hsieh
April 6, 2010

Coming out of a long, cold winter cooped up inside with too much time to scrutinize our interiors, we feel particularly inclined towards a little sprucing up of our homes this spring. With neither the time nor the budget for a full-scale overhaul, our goal is to find a few key of-the-moment pieces to update our look. Unsure as to where to begin, we outsourced our mission a team of style experts—Maria Barnes and Raili Clasen, the duo behind hip housewares company Alice Supply Co.; Julie Murphy, co-founder of paper goods purveyor Jack and Lulu; and Washington DC-based interior designer Christopher Boutlier—to weigh in on what’s hot (and not!) in décor right now.

Maria Barnes and Raili Clasen,
Designers, Alice Supply Co.

IN: Trophies—"We love everything about trophies: they represent hard work, fun, celebration, and quirkiness. Plus, they’re useful—they’re great for holding fresh flowers, appetizers, pencils, and candles. We’re [at Alice Supply Co.] now making trophies in neon orange, pink, and green to give as gifts.” Synchronized Swimming Sport Trophy (sold for $14.99)

IN: Nautical Stripes—“We don’t let a day go by without mixing in something nautical striped either under or over something we’re wearing. We love nautical stripes in the home too, and love print mixing—when they’re paired with skinnier stripes they become even more lovable!” Six Piece Striped Towel Set (buy it now price, $39.99), New Paul Smith Multi Stripe Towel (sold for $32)

OUT: Refrigerator Magnets—“These are like the quintessential tchotchke!” Big Dog at Hydrant Magnet

OUT: Cookie Cutter Mid Century Modern—Barcelona Chair “We’re so glad to see our friends move away from all having the same furniture in their homes and instead creating a bit of uniqueness, warmth and interest while still being clean and modern! We still love this look, but it has to be mixed with other things!!!”

Julie Murphy, Designer,
Jack and Lulu

IN: Suzani Pillows—“This is perfect for someone who wants to try something a bit exotic without choosing the over-played zebra pillows” Turkoman Handmade Silk Embroidered Suzani Pillow (buy it now price, $24.99)

IN: Vintage Charts—“May not be the newest trend, but they liven up walls and always seem to look good because no one is mass producing them yet (should I knock on wood?). You can always find something interesting on eBay if you search 'vintage chart' or 'vintage educational chart.'” Vintage Plant Anatomy Chart Botanical Original Germany (starting bid, $275)

OUT: Zebra/Animal Print Accent Pillows—“We are beating a dead horse with this trend. There are other exotic options out there!” Zebra Faux Fur Lumbar Throw Pillow

OUT: "Keep Calm and Carry On" Posters—“They are lovely and graphic, but must everyone decorate with them? It is starting to feel too generic, especially since you can find them in every color.” Keep Calm And Carry On Poster Art WW2 Print

Christopher Boutlier,
Interior Designer

From top left to right:

IN: Wedgwood Basalt Stoneware—“Black Basalt or ‘Egyptian Black’ Stoneware is sleek, rare, and has a fascinating history. Over the past year, it has become a popular decorative accessory in Manhattan and the Hamptons, the most notable collector being Martha Stewart. The book, At Home With Wedgwood by Tricia Foley, has been a major factor in Basalt’s rise in collectability. Antique Georgian Wedgwood Black Basalt Nations Pitcher (buy it now price, $400)

IN: Vintage Carts—“The trend toward smaller homes and the rebirth of the cocktail party are two major trends bringing the bar cart back into favor. Repurposed industrial carts are beginning to sprout up in high-end antiques stores across the country, with the average price being around $2,500. The unique carts make excellent conversation pieces and their owners can feel satisfied in knowing that 1) repurposing and reusing makes them the ultimate green purchase and 2) it’s unlikely at any cocktail party they throw, that anyone will have seen anything like it before.” Industrial Age Steel and Wood Factory Shoe Cart c1910 (buy it now price, $750)

OUT: Paper Silhouettes—“While I understand the graphic appeal of vintage silhouettes, they have become a bit ubiquitous over the past year and the charm that they once had is beginning to fade. A good rule of thumb is, once you see it mass manufactured, it’s on its way out.” American Hollow-Cut Silhouette Young Man

OUT Starburst Mirrors—“The popularity of sunburst mirrors is something I never understood. They are ultimate symbol of a useless accessory. They usually aren’t large enough to be used for any functional purpose, like seeing yourself, visually expanding a room, or reflecting light. They have also been so mass produced that the visual appeal just isn’t there anymore.” New Metal Starburst Mirror

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