Last week, NYC's top interior designers attended the annual What's New What's Next at the New York Design Center. We'll be posting more info on what we saw and what we're going to be using on upcoming interior design projects, but-
I was most interested too learn that, hold on to your hat, chintz is back! No, it's not a typo, I wrote CHINTZ. Yes, like the '80's when I used to hang out at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael's Maryland. Now I loved Laura Ashley as much as I loved Stiff Stuff hairspray and acid washed jeans, but I would never want to go through that phase again!
So...Chintz?
That's what Wall Street Journal contributor and decorator Sarah Ruffin Costello says is what's HOT now. However - not a ton of chintz ala Mario Buatta, but a "dollop" of chintz just to smarten things up. She also mentioned that David Hicks, Moroccan, and Ikat are all DEAD...
So my first reaction was to walk out of the room, but she had some good points-
Now that everyone can shop at DWR for modern designer furnishings, and get a mid-century looking credenza at West Elm for peanuts what on earth is making design "special" any more? If people can go on hivemodern.com and purchase all of the classics fitting out their penthouses in Corbusier why hire us??
Well, because we have something that the average internet shopper/design enthusiast doesn't: Knowledge of proportion, style and the skill to customize a space to meet an individuality that certainly can't be bought online! Not to mention the fact we're trained in architecture, codes, and construction.
That being said, I can certainly handle an Austrian valance, and some more floral in my life.
So we'll continue to design custom crafted spaces for our highly demanding clients. And while it might be "dead" I may still use Ikat, Moroccan carpets, and perhaps, a "dollop" of chintz now and then.
It was such a wonderful experience seeing all the upcoming trends at the New York Design Center. Thank you so much for having us!
