In living color
Recently I found myself doing an audit of all the furniture catalogs that have arrived, unbidden, to my mailbox, and HOLY VANILLA. I’m not the only one clocking this phenomenon of bland:
You may have read how beige began its latest reign of terror: phrases like “luxe-minimalist,” “neutral-toned aesthetic,” “tastefully curated” all are code for beige. The basic gray of ten years ago—which still reigns supreme in the reno/flip genre of houses— has shifted to beige and gussied itself up as stealth wealth for interiors. You might call this the Succession effect. (Funny, since Succession was biting satire and not, one could argue, a way of living one would choose to emulate. Certainly not cozy, as The Beige is often pitched.)
The good news, I guess, is that trends are inherently cyclical so what bores you today will likely come off the shelf before too long. (See: Danes, eye candy, etc.) Simultaneously, plenty of designers, furniture companies, decor purveyors, and designers hew [HUE??? sorry] to a richer palette. I’d hazard to say it feels easier for most people to pull in “matching” neutrals, but dear god is it boring unless you are Paul Rudolph or a pro at layering textures. (Full disclosure: My house sports one very green sofa in the living room, an electric blue loveseat in the office, a bright yellow kitchen table, and so on.) If you’re lacking for inspiration, start with textiles, smaller furniture, and dishes. A few offhand sources include:
Marimekko | Heath (for more than just tile!) | Kip & Co (bedding for kids) | Schoolhouse (bedding for adults) | Svenskt Tenn (wallpaper) | Kate Zaremba (more wallpaper) | HAY | Dansk | The Weaving Mill | Sam Stewart (drawer pulls) | Goodee
I’ve already predicted how the tomato red of Fall ‘23 fashion is going to be everywhere in aforementioned catalogs one year hence. It’s actually—duh—alive and well now, if you know where to look. (These are pulled from a moodboard I did for my baby daughter’s bedroom; you get the idea.)
Take it to the feets
OK, you get it, I love color. Did you know I don’t really love sneakers? Not in any way that feels like “me’; exception made for shoes specifically worn on a tennis court. All of which is to say, trail shoes as a lifestyle are a recent discovery and, in fact, there are a bunch on the market that appeal to me… for obvious reasons:
Odds and ends
I came across some old Bodum cutlery in Herman Miller’s Los Angeles showroom the other week and I am stymied. Someone please tell me the name of this pattern! The teaspoon in particular rips, and I am hellbent on finding them secondhand. Here’s a pic—can anyone help me out?
A Field Guide to American Houses, the seminal encyclopedia of vernacular building styles in the US of A, will be publishing short form snippers from the book—as per the wishes of author Virginia Savage McAlester, who died in 2020. (This book is so critical to me that I also have it e-book format just to be able to reference it on the go.) For more Virginia, refer to Alexandra Lange’s interview with her for Curbed (2019), and a NYT house tour photographed by Laure Joliet back in 2013.
On the topic of gift guides: I recommend some recommenders such as The Strategist, A Thing or Two, and Stephanie Madewell, author of the old-school blog Even*Cleveland, whose themed guides I anticipate with great joy every year. I’ve been trying to think of clever ways to break the standard format, but in all honesty, it may not happen this year. That does beg the question(s): What is actually helpful to you, dear reader? And what was the best gift you’ve ever received?
Until next time!
Kelsey
Note: I am now using affiliate links when applicable, which means I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you!). The upshot is, you can see all my product recs in one place.
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