Gold, Chintz and Wallpaper

Gold, Chintz and Wallpaper 

For quite some time now we've been told that wallpaper, gold fixtures and floral print sofas are the trends to watch in interior design. These trends were projected for 2016 by Architectural Digest, Elle, Zillow and many others. Now, mid-year, I'm still not convinced these trends are firmly back. But I wondered if maybe the homes that I and others prepare for market are by necessity, less trendy and strive to be more classically appealing. I decided to ask interior designers I'm connected with on social media what they are seeing.

Mary Lindsey Wilson, ASID says, "I have definitely found the prediction for wallpaper and gold fixtures to be on point. I have been specifying wallpaper for quite a while now. I did an entire house in spectacular wall coverings in the bedrooms, bathrooms, in the back of bookshelves and yes even on the ceiling! It is a great way to add a wow factor. I have seen a big surge in gold finishes especially in lighting and with hardware. Not bright shiny brass, but a softer gold that adds an elegant, glamorous feel." 

Designer Carla Aston agreed. "I think wallpaper has made a big comeback with homeowners. While designers have been loving and pushing wallpaper for a long time now, telling clients it's back, it has finally hit home and everyone is asking for it now." 

Amilee Wendt is an ASID award winner who says she just did a kitchen with all matt gold lighting and hardware. Carla Aston put the gold trend into perspective for me. She explains, "With all the gray, cool-toned interiors out there, just a touch of gold adds warmth and richness. We're mixing metals on projects now for a more layered, timeless appeal." Mixing metals still makes the realtor / home stager in me a little nervous but these more than one designer mentioned this trend.

It seems all my designer friends agreed on the popular appeal of wallpaper and gold. Chintz upholstery in bold colors however doesn't seem to be so firmly "back." Don't get me wrong; I personally love a floral couch with bold contrasting throw pillows. Wendt did assure me, "Chintz has always been in, but just the softer patterns in muted colors. That is where the style direction has gone in the recent years." 

I guess designer Pamela O'Brien explained it best, "I would say that here in Houston, we take a little longer to jump on the trends.  The good news about that is when we do, they are usually solid design selections." She says she's used wallpaper in grass cloth, metallic, cork and patterns, all in the last 12 months!  Since wallpaper and gold fixtures are firmly rooted in mid-century modern style, I felt confident encouraging a new listing in Lazybrook to embrace wallpaper in the bathrooms. We chose a fresh, bold pattern of bird cages in bright green on a elegant pearly-white background in the large guest bath. The home, built in 1974, has Spanish style archways, a large uber cool sunken living room and gold fixtures in the baths. The kitchen has been beautifully updated and it's offered at $620,000.