One could argue (and some have) that the days of minimalism and mid-century modernism are being supplanted by a new "maximalism"; a move toward richer colors, a playful layering of texture and pattern, and a more robust and eclectic fusion of time periods, styles and atmospheres. The April 2011 issue of Elle Decor certainly supports such an argument.
"I love the beautiful. Im not a minimalist. I love living and minimalism is for people who don't know how to live. I'm a maximalist." (Antonello Radi, whose home is featured in this month's Elle Decor)
Maybe its because it is Spring, when decor magazines tend to be infused with brighter and more jocular color schemes. Or maybe its because this is Elle Decor's "international" issue. But the tides certainly seem to be shifting toward a more theatrical, historical and eclectic decorating style. This issue is chock full of ethnic artifacts, oriental rugs, gold and red hues, intricately carved wood and metalwork. Every other piece of furniture is bejeweled, inlaid or embellished in some way.
Some of the highlights of the April 2011 Elle Decor:
Images 2 and 3: Beirut artist Nabil Naha's sumptuous Beirut home is full of decorative contrast and rich, vivid color, from mother-of-pearl inlaid case pieces and Islamic art to white leather Czech furniture.
Images 4 and 5: Sig Mergamin's beach house in Brazil is a study in eclectic charm. His guests can choose to lounge on Brazilian colonial chairs, Chinese ceramic stools or Nigerian beaded armchairs. The rooms are decorated with Buddha heads and Roman busts, Uzbek suzanis and Kenyan masks. "I try to mix colors and pattern wherever possible," says Mergamin. "I also have no problem mixing things from all over the world." Apparently his home is on sale for almost $4 million.
Images 6-10: In a spread titled "Shifting Out of Neutral," Elle Decor profiles the home of British hoteliers Kit and Tim Kemp, where "urban sophisticate meets God Save the Queen." Says Kit Kemp, "I love fabric and texture and fabulous pieces of art, not necessarily expensive." Their home is light, cheery and bursting with color and pattern. Of course, most of their furnishings (as is true of all of the homes profiled) are the stuff of fantasy for the average reader. But they do offer some stunning inspiration to us mortal folk.
Also featured in this issue (but not pictured here...you have to buy the magazine!) is Antonello Radi's breathtaking 16th century palazzo in Umbria. Sure, he is a millionaire (billionaire?) but we all know that money doesn't always translate into style. Radi has admirably deferred to his home's historical significance as a dwelling for Italian nobility, replicating the sky blue and red earth tones that would have covered the walls centuries ago. Persian rugs abound, as do Sicilian tiles, terra cotta vases and corals and seashells. Radi says he prefers antiques because they "transmit more energy. Every piece tells a story." He adds, "I love the beautiful. Im not a minimalist. I love living and minimalism is for people who don't know how to live. I'm a maximalist."
Images: 1: Elle Decor; 2&3: Elle Decor via Mochatini. 4&5: Elle Decor via My Little Happy Place; 6-10: Elle Decor.
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Hooray!
Minimalism is dead!
How about Goldilocksism? Neither minimalism, nor maximalism, but Just Right. The Middle Way.
(ugh. I hate these sorts of trend pronouncments!)
I think styles come and go. I have some old (80's) Architectural Digest magazines that have some interesting interiors. I think the pendulum has swung away from minimalist type interiors to more balanced (new splashed with vintage/worldly) designs. However, like fashion what is old is new again. So it will be new again someday....
I don't believe minimalism is dead, nor for those who don't know how to live. Styles are like moods: they change relative to the person having them, not relative to some uni-Jungian archetype. Minimalism has been around forever, as has its opposite. An editor's mood doesn't erase a style.
I agree with bepsf...but I dunno. I feel...overwhelmed by all of it. Isn't there some happy compromise? Lush character-filled items placed prudently?
-anna
at the chateau
@anna savoie--The solution is to become immune to the trends. To decide not to be in style. To furnish and decorate your home to suit yourself, even if it looks unstylish or old fashioned or odd to other people.
The harder you try to be trendy, the faster everything you own goes out of style. The more you have to change.
If you like something, keep it. If you don't like it, get rid of it. And to heck with those who sit on Mount Olympus and dictate what you should or shouldn't like.
And the odd side benefit is that every so often, you will be in style, in spite of yourself.
Good riddance, minimalism and mid-century modern!
Soooo excited... I love all the colors and textures. This has always been more my style, and I hope to see a lot more of it :)
I only like minimalism on my work desk.
I am all about stuff I adore and cherish.
Rather look at a picture of beautifulness and something more meaningful than a whole canvas painted red.
Happy mediums for all!
"...the days of minimalism and mid-century modernism are being supplanted by a new "maximalism"; a move toward richer colors, a playful layering of texture and pattern, and a more robust and eclectic fusion of time periods, styles and atmospheres."
One can only hope.
I have a huge crush on that orange sofa in photo 2. If that's maximalism, bring it on!
If maximalism is about quality pieces, richness of patterns and colors, I'm onboard.
But if it's an excuse for accepting clutter and living in overwhelming environnements that don't have any empty space for reverie, as some of this rooms clearly are, it's a no-go for me.
@mschatelaine - totally going to describe my style as Goldilocksism now! Thanks!
Some of this is great. I covet the carved Asian settee in picture 3, but that striped chair in picture 9 is just ugly! I could get behind this level of controlled "clutter". Minimalism is serene, but not very homey.
I love textures, patterns and colors too but this is too busy. I prefer serenity after a long day at work. <3 the curtain and light in #2, and the architecture in #7 though. ;)
Not a fan of #6. The upholstery matching the duvet matching the drapes...ugh. 1993 was an awkward enough year for me. I don't need to be reminded.
Otherwise, I LOVE LOVE these interiors. The combinations of styles and eras means your decorating can be so flexible. It's like a fabulous practicality.
I agree with Jalex and Xarcady. People are way too focused on trends. Whether its fashion or home design trends will pass. However true style will never fade. Find your style and let it evolve.
Minimalism will never be my style and I am okay with that. I know that I am a pack rat so I need to combat that tendency so I can create a relaxing and beautiful space for me. Other people will find a different balance as they should .
Maximalism, Minimalism- whatever. What about realism? And why does maximalism always seem to happen just as the economy finishes tanking? -again? Or is it that trend followers are afraid their colleagues are going to think they are just trying to make not having much look good? Good design should have outgrown this already........
If there's one design source that has embraced the notion of "just-right"-ism (OK, they do also tend towards a bit of "maximalism" (goodness, so many isms...), it's the British magazine Living Etc. They feature real homes in old and new houses, that are full of personality and life. Many of the decors they feature have been built into older European houses with vintage features (wood mouldings, old fireplaces, wooden floors) which aren't as prevalent in North America, but that Europeans embrace. The result is a magazine which revels in eclecticism and personalized decor. I love it. Every issue brings a fresh new idea and inspiration. Much like AT!
To each his own. Minimalism will never die. I prefer a sort of "softcore" minimalism - an attempt to approach the goal of hardcore minimalism (which is of course IMPOSSIBLE - no one can live that way!). The end result is usually a pleasing lack of clutter.
As for this "maximalism" trend - I'd say its an excuse for a lot of junk to be displayed in most cases. I love seeing a bunch of knick-nacks in the appropriate setting, but usually this sort of approach is done poorly. As for me, most people find a lack of clutter "restful", and appreciate a sort of softcore minimalism when done right.
This is why we each would do well to take the time to discover our own personal style - apart from trends. I like some trends, not all, but I add them in *small*, cheap doses. Most of our home is very classic & traditional. We know what we like and nothing comes in or goes out just because Elle Decor declares it should.
That said, when you look at mags for inspiration, it's pretty hard to figure out what you *really* love and what is influenced by the design of the moment. I try to zone in on what I've loved for a while - a decade or more. I think it helps lay a foundation.
And I just have to say that making declarations on how fulfilling someone's personal life is based on their decor is absolutely ABSURD. Decor is just that - stuff. It may or may not mean what you think it means about the owner. A well-known designer once said that good sex could never come out of a messy bedroom. Who says? If you have a number of small children and you choose to ignore the laundry & mail piles and focus on your spouse instead, that statement could be the farthest thing from the truth. You can never determine *internals* from *externals* alone. Pish posh.
Oh good, modernism is dead, thank God, now I can get rid of all the stuff Ive been collecting for the last 30 years, because I was so trendy.
It's an "Anything Goes" decorating world. Pronouncements mean little, she pronounces.
I think there's something fundamentally wrong with these "trends", and it is offensive (if noth bull$hit) to say that minimalists don't know how to live.
I understand that fashion or design magazines have to proclaim new trends every year, but that doesn't influence my taste much. And aren't taste and personal preferences what "makes" a home? Sure, I may find some inspiring things or colors and incoporate them into my design, but I'll not buy into Maximalism just because Elle Decor wants me to. I'm grown up, after all.
Maximalism i.e., greed, gluttony are very 20th Century. Our planet cannot support this kind of lifestyle. It's the howl of denial before the fall.
@eekns: I don't agree! The images here are dominated by antiques and vintage pieces--the ultimate in recycling!