Over It!

Decorative trends, of course, come and go. Sometimes, a classic enjoys a surge of popularity then falls back into line--much as toile prints did a few years back. Toile will never be "out" but gone are the days when it could be found in 12 different colorways at every Target, Wal-Mart, and Bed Bath and Beyond. Sometimes a seemingly "new" trend will burst on the scene, and then get overshadowed by something newer, but always stay in the realm of decorative possibilities. I think the more recent penchant for blue and brown color schemes fits in there. It may not be on the cover of every magazine anymore, but the two colors work so well against one another, they will always be around in some form or another. Then there are the firework trends that blaze into our decorative consciences for a fleeting moment, and then fizzle away. (Avocado appliances, anyone?)

Here are three current design fireworks that I am completely over. Not that any of them are bad, they are just overdone, and so specific that I predict they will have no lasting power whatsoever.




Keep calm?? I don't think I'll be able to if I see this in one more store, one more magazine, or in one more home.

I actually love the subtle "washed" coloring of these overdone French grainsack pillows. Unfortunately, they have just become so cliche. You can't swing a cat in a TJ Maxx or home decor shop without knocking over a stack of these.


Here's another one that I actually liked until it was just completely overdone--old transit signs as art. They make a wonderful graphic statement in the right sort of room, but they've been so over marketed that there are probably three sets of them on every block.