by Furnishly | Oct 12, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Lighting, Style
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Each fall and winter, I love looking ahead to the design trends that will make waves in the coming year. Right now, I’m all about figuring out what lighting styles will shine in 2022. I spoke with seven designers who each weighed in on the lighting trends you can expect to see in the next few months.
If you’re an avid secondhand shopper like I am — or if you love a good DIY — you’re in luck! Many of these trends are available on the vintage market or have a do it yourself aspect as well. Get ready to be obsessed with some of these bright, on trend lighting ideas now and going into the new year.
Neutral lovers, this one is for you, particularly if you’re drawn to pieces with a bit of an antique look. “I’m predicting that we’re going to see alabaster light fixtures everywhere,” designer Heather DiSabella states. “They come in beautiful organic shapes that aren’t achievable with traditional light fixture materials, which can really set off your space. They also provide that soft, warm light that everyone is craving these days.”
Designer Cameron Jones foresees consumers going the secondhand route when it comes to lighting. “Due to rise in demand and prices thanks to COVID-19, more and more people are turning to vintage because of the uniqueness, affordability, and timely access,” she explains.
Embracing yesterday’s styles and finishes is the name of the game here. “With the rise in popularity of fabric shades with patterns and colors, I think we are going to see more vintage lighting options or new fixtures with a throwback feel as well as found pieces turned into lamps and cool fixtures,” Jones adds.
Designer Cynthia Vallance expressed similar sentiments, “I see old antique lighting fixtures making a comeback with an updated look through a fabulous treatment,” she adds. “I love having a story to tell about pieces I curate, and hopefully, we’ll see a trend in this type of lighting next year. ”
Designer Nishi Donovan believes 2022 will be a time to go bold with lighting choices. “Because of the pandemic and a sensationalized hyper-focus on the spaces we come into contact with every day, unique lighting pieces are something to look out for,” she noted. “Lighting that’s larger-than-life and possesses that custom, handmade appeal are some of the pieces I gravitate toward and believe will be big in 2022.” In particular, she thinks pieces featuring plaster, champagne brass, gunmetal, and matte finishes will take center stage.
Designer Nicole Reid agrees. “Statement lighting will be big in 2022, as we are seeing a shift toward more sculptural lighting, the use of mixed materials, and more abstract shapes,” she notes. “People are craving individuality in their homes through unique lighting, art, and bolder colors.”
Lamp bases aren’t the only things getting sculptural. Malleable LEDs are actually being used to make what looks like illuminated drawings, doodles, and scribbles as well. Think of this as an artsier, fresher, and even more flexible way of doing neon word or pictorial lights, and what’s great is these fixtures can be incorporated into you wall decor or used freestanding as well.
Over on Instagram and on her own blog, Small/Cool 2021 designer Liz Kamarul shared how she added literal dimension to one of her signature wall murals in her own living room with a winding LED neon rope light, the squiggle shape of which was created as she hung it. This is a potential DIY you could take on to customize your wall decor even more while adding extra function, too, since these pieces do provide a little extra illumination.
Artists and makers are iterating on this concept as well. Early next year, Title of Work, artist and designer Jonathan Meizler’s brand, will be releasing a debut collection of lighting fixtures. The first set of offerings includes frames made of black and white painted wood that feature inset, continuous LED light representations of drawings by Meizler himself (as shown above). The collection will also offer industrial, architectural pieces in which solid concrete bases are complemented by steel or brass channel lights with inset LED lights, showing that sculptural lighting can, indeed, take many forms.
Nordic-inspired finishes and shapes
Bring on the hygge vibes! According to designer Anita Williams, Nordic style will be majorly on-trend next year. “The minimalistic vibes of Nordic-inspired designs are showing up big in 2022 in table lamps and suspended light fixtures,” she explained. “Look for sculptural lighting options featuring brass finishes with opal white globes or optic clear globes, which can create either a warm glow or a more playful atmosphere.”
Go ahead and work those walls with your lighting, Williams also advises. “I’m already seeing the trend of wall lamps showing up in areas such as kitchens, highlighting tasks over a sink, or emitting a gentle wash of light in hallways over a gallery wall,” she comments. Anywhere you need to save floor space — whether that’s a bedroom, bathroom, or living room — consider a wall sconce for that area, too.
She offers this tip for those looking to hop on board with this trend and want to go the DIY route without getting involved with wiring, particularly for renters: “Opt for battery-operated wall lights, as they create warm and intimate moments in our homes,” Williams says. “This is ever important with the growing desire for privacy in our spaces.”
Trading recessed lighting for stylish flush mounts
Designer Kelly Hurliman is already a proponent of saying goodbye to recessed lighting when possible and swapping in some kind of a flush-mount fixture, as seen in this image of pendant lamps overhead from Rejuvenation. “I’m a big fan of swapping out can lighting for small flush-mounts,” she notes. “A great lighting plan with minimal recessed lighting feels much more custom and polished!”
by Furnishly | Oct 8, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
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Linen, white walls, the second season of “The Office”… some things are just timeless in their appeal, thanks to their comfort, versatility, and universality. A duo of materials that should be added to that list of things? Calacatta and Carrara marble. Perennial favorites for literally centuries, these tend to have all the characteristics of what many people consider “classic marble:” milky-white backgrounds, thick grey veining, and an undeniably luxe appeal.
However, there’s always room to mix things up a bit, which is exactly what’s happening in kitchens right now. For every designer or home chef that opts for traditional Calacatta or Carrara marble countertops, there’s another that’s pushing the envelope with something even more bold and dramatic. Red stone is edging out sandy travertines as a popular pick for countertops, backsplashes, entire wall coverings, and even furniture and smaller furnishings.
Natural red stones — think Rosso red marble, Red Levanto marble, Red travertine, and more — can be just as chic, timeless, and neutral as their calmer white counterparts. Just look at the solid block of Rojo Cehegin marble used for actress Kirsten Dunst’s kitchen island (above), which was just published in Architectural Digest. In her Jane Hallworth-designed space, the russet red really reads like an earthy brown. It’s not just natural stones popping up in reds either; even engineered versions are getting in on this shade, too; Cosentino just released a new colorway, Arcilla Red, in their popular Silestone quartz product, as seen below. The trick lies in knowing how to work these somewhat livelier materials into your decor.
That’s where the pros come in to offer their input, many of whom have been already working these dramatic stones into their projects. “Bold deep hues are the trending colors for 2022 — think crimson, deep teal, and mustard tones,” says Taniya Nayak, a Boston-based interior designer and featured designer on “Restaurant Impossible.” “Neutrals have been the hot look for the last five years, but now people are looking for more depth and richness in their space. Perhaps because it gives a feeling of much-needed comfort like a big warm embrace. And let’s clarify a bit — when we say “red” we actually mean deep clay or brownish-red. Not ‘in your face’ riled-up red.”
Designer Robert McKinley, founder and creative director at Studio Robert McKinley, recently used red travertine in the kitchen of a Montauk project, the Edison bungalow, which is pictured at the top of this story and just down below. From this space, you really get a sense of how striking this kind of stone can be, particularly when it’s given the room to be the star of a design scheme. Part of its appeal is that, while totally unexpected aesthetically, it reads as timeless with the right styling and accompanying materials.
If you do decide to go big with a red stone on a countertop or backsplash in an upcoming kitchen or bath reno, both McKinley and Nayak encourage striking the right balance in the rest of the surrounding decor. “Always play with texture and materiality,” suggests McKinley. “Stone, even in a more eye-catching color, can fall flat if it’s accompanied by materials of the same depth, and it won’t pop or stand out in the room. I would suggest pairing it with organic materials and fabrics in the space, such as wicker, rattan, or even pine wood.”
According to Nayak, it’s all about putting what you learned in your elementary school color-combining days to use. “When in doubt, remember the color wheel back in third grade art class,” she says. “Offsetting the red tone with deep opposing colors like green or teal is a win — and it can never hurt to balance it off with some neutrals for good measure.”
If large applications of a bold material like this feels like too much of a commitment, both in design and budget, don’t worry. Red stones are slowly but surely making their way into the decor and accessories market, too, making smaller items an easy way to experiment with natural hues of clay, brick, and more in your decor. “I love seeing the stone applied to more decorative items in a space,” says McKinley. “A small side table or even vases or sculptures in a red stone would do the trick.”
by Furnishly | Oct 7, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
Erica Finamore
Contributor
Erica is a New York-based home decor enthusiast who, yes, puts her books in rainbow order. Her work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, HGTV Magazine, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan and Real Simple and others. Erica has a lot of stuff and a tiny apartment, so she is well versed in organization and space-saving hacks. In her free time Erica likes to hunt for New York’s best pancakes, do craft projects and take long-ish walks with her shaggy dachshund, Leslie Knope.
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by Furnishly | Oct 6, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Furniture, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
It seems like tapered, leggy mid-century modern silhouettes have been all the rage the past few years. These features make for beautiful shapes, but sometimes you just want to mix things up a bit,. I, for one, have been so excited to see chunkier, more structural bases being brought back into the furniture design conversation.
Often referred to as plinth or platform furniture, these pieces boast solid bases (usually wood, but they can also be other materials like marble or brass) with no discernible “legs,” and are lower to the ground than their leggy counterparts. This type of base can instantly make your furniture feel more attention-grabbing, substantial, and luxe. It’s also a great way to play with a little designer trickery in your space, particularly it’s on the smaller or shorter side.
“Designing with low-profile furniture, as plinth and platform pieces usually are, is a great way to make your space feel taller,” says designer Alvin Wayne. “It’s a visual trick of the eye — in many cases, the lower your furniture is, the higher your ceilings look.”
Wayne also thinks the low-slung trend can be a great option for rooms with good views; peep the New York City skyline in Wayne’s own Queens apartment on display above his leg-less CB2 sofa in the image up top for such an example. They’re also great for open floor plans, according to Wayne, where taller furnishings could disrupt the flow and sight lines from room to room.
Though platform and plinth pieces aren’t exactly the same, furniture from both categories take up similar visual weight and space in a room. Platform furniture is often a more budget-friendly way to get in on the trend for now, as many plinth pieces are custom or on the pricier side due to the heft of their bases. Looking to add something low-slung to your living room layout or bedroom setup? Check out a few of our favorites below that span the categories of seating, tables, and even beds.
This eye-catching but simple design from Floyd combines birch or walnut wood with metal accents and a sleek, low shape for an industrial-meets-boho design I love. The option of a headboard for reading and hidden under-bed storage compartments on one or both sides of the bed also ensures you can customize this piece to your liking.
Buy: The Bed Frame, Starting at $745.00 for a Full/Queen Size with no headboard from Floyd
West Elm Plank Side Table
This do-it-all side table from West Elm is a true chameleon. Its graphic, blocky shape and plinth bottom give it a modern and minimalist feel, while the grainy reclaimed wood material lends it a rustic, natural edge. Translation: It will fit seamlessly with your home’s vibe, whether you self-identify as a Marie Kondo diehard or cottagecore enthusiast.
Buy: Plank Side Table, $599.00 from West Elm
Lulu & Georgia Harlowe Media Lounger
Though definitely on the pricier side, this pretty seat from Lulu & Georgia is a great example of just how timeless the plinth furniture trend can be. Hidden at the base of this creamy white chair is a blonde-finished acacia plinth that adds just the right amount of bespoke detailing. Plus, thanks to its unique shape (Is it a couch? Is it a daybed? Is it a chair?), this piece can go just about anywhere, from a media room to a studio apartment.
Buy: Harlowe Media Lounger, $1,998.00 from Lulu & Georgia
Bee 9 Design Shop Box Table
This Etsy vendor’s box table can be stained or painted to match your decor style of choice, promising truly infinite customization opportunities. Use it as a handy place to store your favorite reads or to house your record player and a few well-loved vinyls.
Buy: Bee 9 Design Shop Box Table, $197.47 from Etsy
For an eye-catching showpiece that’s sure to turn heads in any room, look no further than the Coyne Credenza from CB2. Made from stunning two-toned walnut wood and stacked atop a plinth base, the versatile piece can act as a buffet in a dining room, credenza in a hallway, or media console in a living room.
Buy: Coyne Credenza, $999.00 from CB2
The solid wood plinth base give this slipcovered gray sofa a few extra style points. Use it anywhere you want to show off what’s beyond your windows in a living room setting. It also comes in a white colorway.
by Furnishly | Oct 5, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
“My inspiration is honestly my life,” says Ford, who left her just-renovated Los Angeles dream home for a farmhouse fixer-upper outside her native Pittsburgh to be closer to family. “Leaving the big city and moving to the country, I’ve embraced the simplicity and joy that’s brought our family, and I was inspired by the style, architecture, weathering, and age of where we’re living right now.”
An appreciation of nature’s beauty has always been an undercurrent in Ford’s aesthetic; in fact, she told me the best artwork is often the view right outside your windows. This time, that ethos is even more present in the new collection’s materials and palette: mixed woods, grasscloth, and Ford’s signature black and white shades punctuated with rust, ochre, brown, and hits of metallics like silver and bronze.
Some of Ford’s most popular pieces are even being introduced in new silhouettes and finishes, like the Fields Settee, which is a whitewashed, loveseat-sized version of a chair from the original collab. “For fall, we wanted to bring back those customer favorites but also extend the line with warmer tones, bleached woods, and things with a cozy, romantic fall vibe,” says Sebastian Brauer, vice president of product design at Crate & Barrel.
Of course, the holidays call for a little bit of sparkle and shine, and Ford’s all for blingy tabletop and accent pieces, even going so far as incorporating a set of disco ball tree ornaments into this range. “Greenery may be my main holiday color, but I’m thinking a silver tree with disco balls on it this year,” she says. “After the holidays, you can even put the little disco balls into a bowl and use that as a table centerpiece year-round.” The line also includes a set of cute metallic bottle brush trees, which have the perfect vintage-inspired look to them if you want to get a little nostalgic for Christmas or the holiday season.
The line is available online and in Crate & Barrel stores starting today. Prices range from $9.95 for small accessories up into the thousands for larger pieces of furniture. You can browse the full collection at Crate & Barrel.
Danielle Blundell
Home Editor
Danielle Blundell is AT’s Home Director and covers decorating and design. She loves homes, heels, the history of art, and hockey—but not necessarily always in that order.
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