The right now retail trend in home accessories is everything nautical. I am seeing tons of retail dollars going toward sail cloth inspired bedding, clean bright colored paint and shiny nautical inspired lighting.
Some are a literal translation with everything from artwork to window treatments involving sails and flags, such as the huge full color spread in this month’s Elle Décor. Other interior publications have evolved the trend to include mid-century inspired pieces and found objects with driftwood sculptures, canvas slip-covered furniture and wood louvered shudders, like in this month’s issue of Veranda. No matter how you interpret the trend, it is a spot-on, can’t miss classic direction to go for yourself, your business or your client. The clean lines and minimal color stories are pleasing to virtually every eye.
Of course, I can’t help but wonder if all these coastal interior looks were inspired by last year and what I felt was the best season ever of Summer fashion – drenched with navy blue and ivory and lots of military and nautical inspiration. Also, the Resort wear business has completely resurrected itself as ready-to-wear’s bumper crop putting up better numbers than ever as consumers focus on traveling again (and Madison Avenue focuses on destination marketing). Savvy visual merchandisers are taking note and creating beautiful vignettes to reflect the idea of travel and coastlines. The word “staycation” was added to Webster’s dictionary.
stay·ca·tion (stā-ˈkā-shən) noun: a vacation spent at home or nearby.
– Webster’s Dicitonary
If we have learned anything, it is that technology will only close the gap on how quickly fashion trends get translated into home decor. There seems to be less kitsch and lots more class with wall décor. Retailers want more transitional pieces and consumers want style that will last.
