Page 20 - HBIA Home & Garden Show 2022

5. MIXING VINTAGE AND NEW
Instead of purchasing all new furnishings, people are increasingly sprinkling in antiques and
vintage pieces among more modern designs,
says Milwaukee-based interior designer Anna Franklin. “Antiques and vintage-sourced decor
and furniture is not only eco-friendly since you
are repurposing items, but it allows there to be a juxtaposition between old and new in a space,” she says. Especially amid supply-chain disruptions and months-long backorders, shopping vintage is more desirable than ever. According to a report from online resale marketplace Mercari, Americans spent more than $17 billion on secondhand furniture and other items for the home last year, and that number is only expected to grow.
6. BIOPHILIC DESIGN
Also distinguished as a top trend in the 2022 Pinter- est Predicts report, biophilic design aims to bring the outdoors into your home through natural mate- rials, colors, and—of course—plants. Moving beyond a few pots on the windowsill, plant parents are now experimenting with plant-covered walls and unique hanging installations. Bartone explains that this nature-inspired trend is rooted in our basic human makeup. “Historically, being connected with nature
has provid- ed food, clothing, and shelter,” she says. “These connections are imprint- ed in our brains and we are sub- consciously comforted by these colors, textures, and patterns.”
7. DECLINE OF THE HOME OFFICE
As much of the workforce transitioned to remote work at the beginning of the pandemic, home offices became a necessity rather than a luxury. Nearly two years later, many people are heading back to the office, and the need for at-home workstations may be waning. According to a
2022 trend report from Modsy, 81% of people would prefer to work from home at least part of
the time, but the online interior design company experienced a 30% decrease in the number of people designing home offices this year compared to 2020. As needs shift, expect many homeowners to transition their makeshift office setup back to the guest bedroom, game room, or walk-in closet it once was.
8. LOCALLY AND SUSTAINABLY SOURCED FURNISHINGS
“Sustainability and consciously-made decor, accessories, and furniture are continuing to rise
as more people are being cognizant of their environmental impact and where their products come from,” Franklin says. More consumers are now looking into how their furniture is made, including the wood, glues, and fibers used to create it, as
well as how far it has to travel to get to their homes, Bartone adds.
Materials
matter, but
shopping local and using regional suppliers
are also great ways
to reduce your carbon footprint as you outfit your home. ■
By Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, © 2021
20
HELENABIA.COM
CREDIT: JACOB FOX
CREDIT: STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG