If you’ve been waiting for the end of 50 shades of gray when it comes to interior design and the neutral, minimalist modernism that has dominated interiors for the better part of the last decade, the good news is 2024 is full of color and charm. From grandma chic to boucle and brass, this year’s style is all about a more relaxed, comfortable feel with more personality, says Valorie Stafford and Lindsey Jamison, Partners and Lead Designers, Rumor Designs, a Steamboat based interior design studio. “We’re seeing more of a lived-in feel where not everything is sleek and slick but can still be modern in style, but with spaces that have more of a cozy, warm, casual feel,” says Jamison. This opens the door for more creativity, flair and personality to come through, with the use more textures, layers, colors, patterns and fabrics than in recent years. We asked the designers to identify the five biggest trends of 2024.
Quiet Luxury
An aesthetic that has built momentum in recent years in both interior design and fashion, quiet luxury is about using elevated materials and letting quality be the defining factor for a timeless, authentic, understated appeal that defies trends. “We’re using a lot of tailored pieces that are high quality and timeless but still comfortable and lived in,” Stafford says. “It’s not always about being flashy or ‘look-at-me’ but a more timeless quality. True luxury can go with many different design styles.” The result is a space that is more inviting and warmer but still has a touch of elegance. “It’s luxurious without being stiff and formal,” Stafford says.
Grandma Chic
If those are two words you’re not used to hearing in the same sentence, that might change in 2024 when it comes to interiors. “Vintage pieces mixed into modern design add depth and warmth,” Stafford says, “The concept embraces warm colors and eclectic patterns with florals or handsome tweeds.” Out with the grays, in with taupe and browns, not to mention “winter coat” textiles like tweed and floral patterns. “We’re using those patterns in a much more subtle way, as an accent with a pillow, accent wall, or a headboard,” Jamison says. “A handsome touch of florals are making a big comeback, even in the mountains, if it’s done sparingly.” A return to floral patterned plates and lacy glassware can achieve that vintage vibe, or even plaids, which feel more appropriate for a mountain home, can be worked in. “It’s the layering that’s important—it’s more about how you use it. It’s about being creative more than predictable,” Jamison says.
Boucle and Brass
The nubby-textured upholstery fabric known as boucle is nothing new, but it’s holding strong in 2024. “Boucle came on really strong and everyone said it was going to be a fast trend. It was seen a lot in big box stores like Crate and Barrel and West Elm but mostly in white and ivory. Now we’re seeing it in more fun colors like olive, navy, burgundy and mustard” Stafford says. “People are loving it.” Another trend with staying power is brass. “Brass has been around for a couple of years, and while some clients who lived through brass in the ‘90s are wary, people are really embracing it. It’s a warmer metal and doesn’t have to be shiny,” Stafford says. Matte finishes and aged brass are more muted, but polished brass adds an extra sparkle, almost like jewelry for your kitchen and bath. It’s used for cabinet hardware and also in fixtures. “It’s another reaction to not wanting to live in a sterile home. Even if your style is minimalist, it can still be warm,” Stafford says. “This is another example of moving toward using more layers with interesting materials and textiles. What’s nice for us as designers is a lot of these trends overlap.”
Organic/Biophilic
If these are terms you’re more accustomed to finding at the grocery store, you’re not alone. The idea of this earth-lover’s trend is to integrate nature into the home for that seamlessness between indoors and outdoors that is ideal for a mountain home. “It’s about bringing in colors and tones of the outdoors through lighting or furniture pieces that mimic organic shapes or styles,” Stafford says. Beyond the aesthetic, integrating elements of nature into your home is good for you. “Even just having a picture of a plant in your house improves your well-being,” Jamison says. While having live plants or living walls isn’t always possible for second homeowners, there are other ways to integrate natural elements such as floral biophilic lighting (LED lighting that creates organic shapes like trees, leaves, or flowers) and light fixtures designed to looks like plants, sticks, and other natural elements. Murals, wallpapers (another lasting trend), and even photographs of nature scenes can be artfully displayed in a complimentary setting. American clay, a wall application with natural texture is another trend in this vein. “All of these trends relate to each other well,” Stafford says. “Again, it’s about layering different elements to create warmth and to make the home comfortable and inviting.” Sounds like a natural transition into the new year. //rumordesigns.com.