Looking Back: The Decade in Design

Now that we are officially in 2010, I thought it would be fun to look back at the past decade and see what was happening in the design world that might be worthy of talking about.  I was reading a few articles about this subject and it really caught my eye and attention and I knew it would be something all of you would be interested in too.

This blog post, by Things That Inspire, really got me thinking about the subject of what is going to look trendy in the first decade of the 2000’s.  Those things that we loved and many of us included  in our homes, but looking back, are they going to stand the test of time?  Things that are trendy are bound to eventually lose their luster, as we all know.  That blog post has a lot of good comments and discussion too, so you might want to check it out when you have a minute.  I’m not going to cover everything she did in that post, but will mention several of them, along with some of my own observations.  She mentioned and linked to a discussion on Gardenweb’s Decorating board, which I also used to frequent before blogging.  I am GeorgiaGal over there, for any who have been on that board for a few years.   I hardly ever get by there these days, but there have always been some lively design topics and discussions going on.

I’ve lived long enough to see so many trends come and go with decorating and design.  My first memories of what was in style with home decor was probably in the late 60’s, early 70’s and we all know what the 70’s were like.  Oh my gosh, shag carpet everywhere,  fake leather, not to mention all those colors of burnt orange, avocado green, and harvest gold.  To me, the 70’s have been the absolute worst in design.  Ever!   I mean, look back at the old movies from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and see how classic and stylish many of  the homes were back then.  Then, we get to the 70’s and all I think of is Brady Bunch.  Now, that house was definitely not the epitome of style, don’t you agree?  For a really hilarious look back at the 70’s, take a look at this post from James Lileks about a Better Homes and Gardens book, 70’s style.  It’s priceless and his commentary is just a hoot.  Here is one pic from that BH&G book back then.  Anyone ready for this again?  🙂  Nope, me neither.

We have all evolved, myself included in the last 25 years of decorating and design styles.  I like to think I’ve matured and learned a lot in that time, but truthfully, I’ve fallen for many trends over the years.  I know I’ve learned a few things, when I look back at where I used to be and where I am today (I cringe at some of my old house pics.  Classic, not so much).

I went through the seafoam and mauve stage, the hunter green and burgandy phase, and fell for the dark and moody colors, like the red dining room I just covered over earlier last year.    Not that there is anything wrong with red dining rooms, I loved that color for several years, I was just craving something lighter.  I think I could just paint my whole house antique white now and be quite happy in it, by adding color in fabrics and accessories.  Classic and traditional furniture is also tops on my list too and that has been something I’ve learned over the years.

Here’s one example of how I learned this trendy lesson the hard way.  This is my old kitchen in Georgia.  The house that I built (with my Dad’s help) and I HAD to have these Euro-style cabinets that were all the rage in the mid-80’s.  You’ve seen these things all over, there are relics of them still out there.  I did get to redo that kitchen before I left and you can see that makeover here, but this goes to show that trends definitely are a huge thing and we all have to be aware of them. If you are stuck with cabinets like this, then all I can say is “bless your heart”.

Hanging out online with other design blogs and decorating sites has definitely honed my taste and my eye so much over the last few years and I’m really grateful for that.  Thank goodness for growth!

So, getting back to the last decade.  What are some things that you see from this decade that may or may not have staying power?  Here are some things that I have seen mentioned and I wanted to throw them all out at you too.  This will make for some lively and entertaining discussions, I’m quite sure.  Many of these trends are seen in kitchens and baths, since that seems to be where more money is spent in new homes.

(from Moen)

Oil Rubbed Bronze – This trend was mentioned as being too trendy and going the way of brass.  Now me, I love this look especially in lighting and hardware.  I still haven’t changed  out everything brass in my house and probably won’t (i.e. my brass shower surround isn’t going anywhere).  But, will oil-rubbed bronze stay around as a classic? I have no idea, but I’d like to think it might.

(from Granite Indianpolis)

This is a gorgeous kitchen, but I see it has some of those trendy things mentioned: granite, glazed cabinets, different color island, stainless steel etc. I’d take this in a minute!

Granite Countertops – Now, mind you, I just got granite countertops in my kitchen this year and while other more trendy countertop choices may become even more popular than granite, I sure don’t see these being ripped out anytime soon from homes all over the country.  I’m thoroughly enjoying my granite and feel quite blessed to have it.  I’ve also heard that the standard dark granite with maple cabinets are like the “builder’s basic” of spec homes from the 2000’s.

Stainless Steel – Again, I have all stainless in my kitchen now and see it as being the new “classic”, but I could be all wrong about that too.  I think stainless is sleek and fits in with classic and contemporary all at the same time.

Glazed Kitchen Cabinets and Furniture Style Islands – This is another trend that really took off this last decade.  I did the white glazed cabinets in my old house and loved it all then, but I can see the glazed cabinet look coming to an end in the not too distant future.  I see less and less of that now in fact.  White kitchens are still very popular,  but I’m not seeing a lot of the glazed look in magazines right now.

What do you think about the trend for white cabinets and the darker or different colored island? Again,  I think this is a great look and can be done well, but is it destined to be trendy and therefore, dated in a few years?  Only time will tell.

(from Red Barn Properties)

Large Two-Story greatrooms – Called McMansions for more than 10 years, these large overbuilt and slightly impersonal homes are all over the country.  During the boom years in real estate, more and more people were moving into these large and spacious homes, but now that the economy has come to a screeching halt, the McMansions are not quite in vogue anymore.  I’ve seen McMansions defined as large homes on a small lot, with some trendy architectural features, with perhaps a large 2-story greatroom.  A big mansion wanna-be, perhaps??  More people are loving smaller homes now and I see the trend going towards smaller, yet more architecturally appealing features added that make the home more livable and desirable.  There was a big discussion in the comments about what constitutes a McMansion and I found that quite interesting too.

So, the question is:  what is the perfect sized home now?  And what features do you love and can’t live without?

Here’s a great post my friend, Julia from Hooked on Houses did last year on the 2-story greatroom trend.

Our house is about 3,000 s.f.  Sure, we have extra guestrooms that don’t get used all the time, but when kids come home to visit or we have guests drop by, they sure come in handy.  So, I don’t see our house as WAY over the top when it comes to size or appointments.  I can see this topic will be a hot one for the coming years, as more people are down-sizing and deciding that they CAN live with less amenities and space.

(my own Tuscan look from my old sunroom in GA.  I did enjoy it and thought I did a pretty good job with it, but no, I don’t want another faux plaster wall).

The Tuscan Look – This is one trend that I saw was hugely popular in the beginning of 2000’s and one that I can definitely see waning now.  I think the authentic look of a European farmhouse is beautiful and can be done well even new, if the architectural features and amenities of a home are taken into consideration.  After all, Europe is known for its crumbling buildings and lovely old patinas and real tarnished walls. But, unfortunately this trend went really crazy for a few years and there were faux stucco walls being thrown up all over the place, along with wine and grape motifs.  Tuscan gone wrong!  I’ll admit I did a faux stucco wall in my old house (see above) and I loved it then.  Would I do it again.  Nope! 🙂 That’s not to say I think all faux finishes are out now. There are still plenty of them out there, like Venetian plaster that I think are gorgeous.  But, I’ve seen that trend slowing down.

I do see more of a rustic and aged look on furniture now than ever before.  I painted my black kitchen chairs with a sanded down, distressed look 8 years ago and that is still going strong.  Will this look dated one day?  Maybe, but I hope not anytime soon.  There really seems to be a love of old things more than ever before, using recycled wood and repurposing the old and that is a very good thing, not to mention living with older furniture just feels right.

(from New England Classic)

Beadboard – I have fallen in love with beadboard and still love it, as I know many all over blogland have also.  It’s been a steady and growing trend for at least 10 years now and I don’t see that stopping.  I put up beadboard in my old house in Georgia back in 2001, in a couple of rooms.  It’s really a throwback to when it was popular the first time around and after looking  it up, beadboard first originated back in the 1800’s.   Those old bathrooms with real beadboard on the walls and the hexagon tiles were so pretty and classic then and still are today.  So, do you ever see beadboard going out of vogue?? I really don’t, I think it’s here to stay.

So, what in the world do you think about all of this??  I’m opening up this discussion for all of your comments and opinions, so feel free to chime in! Add in any trends that you see from the last decade that you think is going OUT.  I certainly have not been immune to trends myself, but hope that I’ve grown to be a bit more discerning about it all.  Classic is what I try to keep in the forefront of my decision making at all times.

Now, I do know that we can’t all live by what is “in” and “out”, but you have to admit that the trends definitely grab our attention, like it or not.

I think this will be fun to talk about!  And while we are discussing, where will we go in the next 10 years?  That’s also open for speculation.  I hope things don’t change drastically like they did in decades past.  I see cocooning and nesting being more important than ever in our current economy and that means we, as women will find the best ways to make our homes beautiful, liveable and functional for OUR families and do it frugally.

Where do we go from here and what will we cringe at looking back at 2000’s first decade?

I did read in the last couple of years that brass will be making a comeback and perhaps chintz will too.

Don’t forget the Top Projects of 2009 party tomorrow!! Come by bright and early to link up your post and let’s have some fun.

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