Style

Fringe Is Back & I’m as Surprised as You Are

published Dec 13, 2017
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(Image credit: Stephen Busken/Lonny)

Okay, look, let me be perfectly honest: this post wasn’t my idea. When Arlyn, our Design Editor, suggested that I write about fringe as a new design trend, my initial reaction was, well, skeptical. My associations with fringe are few, and unflattering: that leg lamp from “A Christmas Story”, cheap costumes from low-budget Wild West saloon scenes, heavy tassels hanging from overdone 1980s window treatments. But, gamely, I dived into a little Pinterest research. My first search yielded only pictures of bangs, but my second search, where I appended the word “interiors,” was unexpectedly fruitful. Arlyn was right—fringe is back.

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It’s the same, really, as with any other trend. Fringe hasn’t changed (that much): we have. Our appetite for the luxe, the textured, the weird, has increased lately, and with that I think we’re realizing something that’s been true all along, which is that fringe doesn’t have to be part of something that’s floofy and overdone. It’s actually a really beautiful accent in a modern interior, adding a bit of Art Deco flair while still feeling light and fun.

(Image credit: Around the Houses)

The ornate fringed chandelier in this room from Around the Houses was based on a DIY from Justina Blakeney.

(Image credit: The Apartment)

This lamp, in a photo from The Apartment (via Lauren Conrad), looks a lot like the one above. But it’s not a DIY at all: it’s a vintage ceiling light by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, a midcentury Swedish designer who also created lots of similar fixtures. Everything old, as they say, is new again.

(Image credit: Munna)

Munna’s Fringes Armchair looks like something from an Art Deco lounge, in the best possible way.

(Image credit: French by Design)

This deliciously monochromatic interior from French by Design shakes things up with a bit of texture, in the form of a velvet banquette, with accompanying fringe.

(Image credit: SF Girl by Bay)

This elegant fringed chair is available in the online shop at SF Girl by Bay, for $749. In a subtle, no-frills room, it’s the star.

(Image credit: French by Design)

Upholstered furniture in the bathroom always feels like a bit of a luxury, and a fringed velvet ottoman particularly so. This luxurious space was spotted on French by Design.

(Image credit: Soho Home)

This interior from Soho House, the club for well-heeled creatives, was spotted on Soho Home. The fringe definitely feels very fancy, although my sympathy goes out to anyone who has to clean the floor.

(Image credit: Lorenza Bozzoli)

In addition to this luxury cheese grater, designer Lorenza Bozzoli is really doing interesting things with fringe. In this stool design, spotted on Present & Correct, different lengths and colors of fringe form a delightfully touchable pattern.

(Image credit: Editions Milano)

The contrasting fringe takes this sofa from Editions Milano from a typical midcentury-esque design to a truly unique offering.

(Image credit: Ediths)

Shades of leg lamp, but not quite: this lamp from Ediths displays fringe in a slightly more tasteful way.

(Image credit: Front + Main)

This Brooklyn loft, spotted on Front + Main, features Ben & Aja Blanc’s fringed Half Moon Mirror (which is also seen in the lead of this post). The fringe here is a bit shaggier than what you would normally see, almost messy, which adds texture and gives the piece an intriguing, modern vibe.

(Image credit: Mooi)

When trends combine: Mooi’s new Amami sofa has fringe that’s dyed in an ombre pattern.

(Image credit: VI + M Studio)

Fringe on lighting is weird but unexpectedly good. This design, by VI + M Studio, also comes in a mauve + mint colorway that I’m a little in love with.

What do you think of fringe being back? Eager to try it at home yourself, or hoping it stays planted, forgotten, in the past?