Inspired Interiors: Design star modernizes timeless look

This article highlights seven prominent and emerging interior designers in St. Louis, recognized for their distinct styles and contributions to the local design scene. The selection process involved scouting homes featured in the magazine, receiving recommendations from industry professionals such as designers, architects, photographers, contractors, and homeowners, as well as acknowledging award winners and reader tips. The focus for this year's list was specifically on up-and-coming designers who are either new to the profession, relatively unknown, or young, emphasizing fresh talent in the field. The featured designers include Retta Leritz DiFate and Zachary Cramberg of Schoen Wahl designlab, who blend traditional and modern aesthetics and are pursuing LEED certification for their projects. They favor mixing high-end and affordable pieces and consider the Saarinen Tulip table a design icon. Julie Abner of Julie Abner Interiors, with 12 years of experience, is known for tailored and simplified interiors, valuing soft wool upholstery and suggesting updating light fixtures as a quick fix. She draws inspiration from current fashion color palettes featuring grays and jewel tones. Kim Taylor of Kim Taylor Interior Design, a reader-selected designer, is noted for her transitional style, combining abstract art with traditional furniture and clean lines. She emphasizes the use of warm tones with cool accents and highlights the practicality of hidden audiovisual units for flexible room usage, while disliking low-slung upholstery. Her favorite design icon is Barbara Barry, and she encourages using digital photos of beloved items for design inspiration. Denise Fogarty of Denise Fogarty Interiors showcases a classic Californian style, favoring blue hues and natural, organic textures like sisal and linen. She is inspired by Barclay Butera and suggests new lampshades as an easy update. Marci Marsh of Marci Marsh Design prefers traditional styles with clean lines, incorporating cool tones and organic textiles. She advises a phased approach to decorating and suggests paint and pillows for quick room updates, while expressing a dislike for the coral trend. Her favorite design icon is Stark's diamond-pattern jute. Jacob Laws, Senior Designer at CURE Design Group, brings a diverse background in theater, art history, and fashion to his designs. His trademark style blends classic elements with a modern edge, creating a sophisticated look through the juxtaposition of old and new. He appreciates linen, silk velvet, and lacquered pieces, and draws inspiration from art, travel, fashion, culture, and history, citing the movie *Auntie Mame* as a particular influence. Laws stresses the importance of living with cherished pieces and considers good art and Chinese Chippendale armchairs as design icons. #InteriorDesign #StLouisDesigners #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #ResidentialDesign #ModernAesthetics #TransitionalStyle #SustainableDesign #DesignInspiration

The article discusses six dated home decor pieces that interior designers recommend replacing to update a living space. One of the first items mentioned is overly distressed or shabby chic furniture, which has fallen out of favor in modern design. Designers suggest opting for clean lines and more contemporary finishes that offer a fresh and timeless aesthetic. The focus has shifted from worn-out looks to pieces that appear well-maintained and stylish. Another decor element that is considered outdated is a profusion of fake plants and flowers. While once popular for adding greenery without maintenance, artificial botanicals often look unrealistic and can detract from the overall sophistication of a room. Experts advise investing in real plants, which bring life and natural beauty, or choosing high-quality, realistic-looking artificial options if real plants are not feasible. This change reflects a broader trend toward more authentic and organic elements in home design. Heavy, ornate window treatments, such as valances and elaborate drapes, are also identified as dated. These styles can make a room feel smaller and block natural light, which is highly valued in contemporary interiors. Instead, designers suggest light and airy window coverings like simple linen curtains, Roman shades, or even no window treatments at all to maximize natural light and create a more open atmosphere. This preference leans towards minimalism and functionality. Matching furniture sets, particularly those for bedrooms or living rooms, are another item on the list. The traditional approach of buying an entire suite of furniture that matches perfectly can make a room feel impersonal and static. Modern interior design encourages a more eclectic approach, where furniture pieces are thoughtfully curated to reflect personal style and create visual interest through a mix of textures, styles, and periods. This allows for a more dynamic and personalized space. Excessive use of word art and overly sentimental wall decor is also cited as something to remove. While a few well-chosen pieces can add character, a large quantity of generic phrases or sentimental sayings can make a home feel cluttered and less sophisticated. Designers recommend replacing these with curated artwork, photographs, or mirrors that contribute to the room's aesthetic in a more artistic and meaningful way. This shift emphasizes quality over quantity and personal expression. Finally, the article addresses the trend of visible electrical cords and cables. In today's tech-heavy homes, untidy wires can quickly make a space look disorganized and messy. Designers emphasize the importance of cable management solutions, such as cord covers, cable ties, or built-in media cabinets, to conceal unsightly wires and maintain a clean, streamlined look. This small detail can significantly enhance the perceived neatness and modernity of a room, aligning with a desire for polished and uncluttered environments.

In 2025, interior design trends are moving away from the minimalist whites and grays that dominated the previous decade, embracing character through a rich interplay of texture, architectural detail, and prominent shapes. Industry professionals predict a significant shift towards more dynamic and personalized aesthetics. Moody earth tones are set to become a dominant color palette, with designers like Lindsey Putzier noting the rising popularity of deep hues such as chocolate, burgundy, indigo, and deep green. This trend extends to kitchens, which will feature rich woods and jewel tones, and to furniture, where rich leathers and velvets will replace gray fabric sofas. Homeowners seeking easy updates are encouraged to swap light-colored walls for these saturated shades. Ceilings, traditionally overlooked, are emerging as a key design element, earning the moniker 'fifth wall.' Designer Mary Best highlights the growing interest in painting, wallpapering, or adding texture to ceilings to create depth and character. This approach can emphasize architectural features like moldings, coffered designs, or beams, drawing the eye upward. Best suggests experimenting with bold colors or patterns in smaller spaces, such as powder rooms or entryways, to avoid overwhelming larger areas. Strategic color choices, where the ceiling color complements or subtly contrasts with the wall color, can create dimension or drama. Paint finishes, particularly high-gloss lacquers, will also be used to reflect light and highlight details. Patterns are making a strong comeback, identified as a major theme for 2025 by 1stDibs' Annual Designer Survey. Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial director at 1stDibs, attributes this to a post-pandemic desire for individuality and a rejection of past monochromatic trends. Top patterned elements include colorful painted murals, patterned wallpaper, and wallpapered ceilings. Organic patterns and motifs, as well as bold, large-scale prints and florals, are expected to be particularly popular, offering versatility for both contemporary and traditional spaces. Decorative light fixtures are also gaining prominence. The 1stDibs survey indicates Murano-glass pendants and chandeliers will be highly sought after, reflecting a growing appreciation for sculptural and ornate lighting. This trend suggests a desire for items that not only illuminate but also add aesthetic joy and brightness to living spaces. Organic design continues to evolve, with a focus on unique materials and shapes inspired by natural formations. Grace Denniston of Kalco Lighting predicts more lighting designs mimicking waterfalls, water droplets, or budding flowers. The increased use of natural materials like stone, jute rope, and coconut shells reflects a desire for connection with nature and for distinctive design elements that tell a story, bringing tranquility indoors. Textured walls, using plaster, wallpaper, or limewash, will add warmth and coziness, transforming plain surfaces into visually engaging features. Arches and curvilinear furniture, including kidney-shaped sofas, rounded chaises, and arched-top bookcases, will continue their rise in popularity, softening interior lines and adding classic architectural interest. Finally, rechargeable lighting is expected to become ubiquitous, offering flexibility and convenience for various settings, from outdoor seating to task lighting, enhancing mood and practicality throughout the home. #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeDecor #MoodyEarthTones #DecorativeCeilings #PatternedSurfaces #SculpturalLighting #OrganicDesign #TexturedWalls #CurvedFurniture #RechargeableLighting

The article advocates for the revival of several home design trends to reintroduce personality and uniqueness into modern living spaces. It critiques the current prevalence of sterile, minimalist, and neutral aesthetics, suggesting a return to more distinctive and character-filled designs. The author, drawing inspiration from personal interests and observations, outlines 11 specific trends that deserve a strong comeback. First, conversation pits and sunken living rooms are highlighted for their ability to create intimate gathering spaces and break up open floor plans. The versatility of these designs, extending beyond traditional living rooms to family rooms, kitchens, and even bedrooms, is emphasized. The author dismisses the notion that these features are dated, arguing that they offer a unique and eye-catching way to create a dynamic living environment. Next, the article champions closed floor plans, reminiscing about a time when each room had a distinct purpose, such as a formal living room for guests and a family room for daily use. It suggests that while open concepts have dominated new constructions, there is a growing appreciation for the functional separation and privacy that closed floor plans offer. The absence of color in modern design, often attributed to the rise of 'millennial gray' and minimalism, is addressed. The author calls for the reintroduction of bold, bright, and saturated colors, suggesting that color can be incorporated through furniture, appliances, cabinets, and decor, rather than solely through wall paint. This shift aims to make homes feel more vibrant and less monotonous. Wallpaper and accent walls are defended against their negative modern reputation. The piece argues that they provide an easy and effective way to introduce patterns and alter a room's ambiance without extensive redecorating. It also highlights their utility in rental properties where painting may not be an option, suggesting that accent walls are far from obsolete. Foyers are presented as essential greeting spaces that add grandeur and privacy. The author contrasts the traditional foyer with the modern preference for mudrooms, suggesting that both can coexist to serve different practical and aesthetic needs. Foyers are described as transformative spaces that offer a sense of tradition and a buffer between the entrance and the home's main living areas. The article then delves into Tuscan kitchens, advocating for their modernization. While acknowledging the potential for tackiness, it proposes that elements of the Tuscan aesthetic, such as rich textures and warm tones, can be reinterpreted in a contemporary manner. The emphasis is on retaining the unique atmosphere associated with this style while adapting it to current tastes. Arches are celebrated for their ability to introduce curvature and softness into interiors, moving away from harsh straight lines. The article notes the increasing popularity of arches beyond architectural features, including in mirrors, windows, and cabinetry, highlighting their capacity to add luxury and elegance to any space. Vintage and repurposed furniture are lauded for their environmental benefits and their ability to bring individuality, color, and unique stories into a home. The trend of seeking out second-hand pieces is encouraged as a sustainable and character-rich alternative to mass-produced 'fast furniture.' Glass bricks, despite their association with 1980s office aesthetics, are presented as a versatile material for adding visual interest and natural light, particularly in bathrooms. The author suggests that thoughtful application can transform them into a cool, vintage, and functional element in various parts of a home. Textured ceilings are proposed as a method to add character and conceal imperfections, moving beyond the stigma of popcorn ceilings. The article encourages exploring diverse textures and patterns to create an eclectic look, emphasizing that modernization can transform even seemingly outdated elements. Finally, marble is discussed not as a trend needing revival but as a material whose application should be reconsidered. While acknowledging its timeless luxury, the author suggests moving beyond its conventional use in kitchen counters and bathrooms to embrace more expansive applications, such as marble floors, tables, and walls, to make a grander statement and prevent it from feeling commonplace. #HomeDesignTrends #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalRevival #DecoratingIdeas #PersonalityInHomes #VintageFurniture #ColorInDesign #SustainableDecor #SunkenLivingRooms

The article explores the transient nature of interior design trends, gathering insights from 17 designers across the country on which trends they believe should be permanently retired. While some designers, such as David Scott, argue that trends can become classic in the right context, others, like Malene Barnett, advocate for timeless individual style over fleeting fads. The article emphasizes that not all trends are worthy of longevity or resurrection, particularly those that evoke a sense of datedness or lack of originality. It then delves into specific trends identified by various designers as needing to disappear. Young Huh targets neon signs as art, suggesting their appeal is compelling but ultimately warrants removal. Francis Sultana expresses strong disapproval for the 'airport-lounge' aesthetic, criticizing its faceless, soulless, and generic feel that lacks a sense of place. Drew McGukin points out macramé, associating it with an 'army-of-sameness' in Brooklyn design. Shana Sherwood of Sherwood Kypreos argues against decor that mimics other materials, such as porcelain tile imitating wood, advocating for authenticity. Miles Redd succinctly states his aversion to chenille, finding it unpleasant to the touch. Fern Santini advises against matchy-matchy furniture suites, suggesting that complementary but not identical pieces create a more personal and accumulated look that resists dating. Tiffany Zhou of Studio Zhou is over IKEA brass handles and white subway-tile backsplashes due to their ubiquity. Robert Couturier critiques 'soulless art collections' acquired without genuine appreciation. Ashley Hicks and Mally Skok both target feature walls and wallpapered ceilings, respectively, for disrupting spatial harmony and suggesting ceilings should be uniformly colored. Ashley Hanley calls for the end of 'fast furniture,' advocating for conscious material use and the repurposing of secondhand or antique items to create unique pieces. Chandos Dodson Epley highlights bouclé and shearling as impractical for families with children and pets. Caleb Anderson and Chad Graci both express strong disdain for barn doors, describing them as cumbersome, awkward, and detrimental to interior aesthetics, especially in non-barn settings. Natalie Kraiem finds Edison light bulbs outdated, despite her appreciation for retro-inspired fixtures. Mally Skok also rejects waterfall counters, seeing them as an unsuccessful attempt at modernizing kitchens. Chandos Dodson Epley further warns against 'cutesy millwork' with scalloped or fanciful flourishes, noting that such trendy details can quickly age a home and be costly to replace. Veronica Valencia is surprised to still see granite countertops paired with mosaic-glass backsplashes, advocating for more cost-effective alternatives. Finally, Martyn Lawrence Bullard offers a nuanced perspective, acknowledging the transient nature of trends but advising designers not to blindly follow them, but rather to be open to both old and new influences and to unknowingly create trends themselves. The article concludes by encouraging designers to remain open-minded and constantly evolve in their approach to design. #InteriorDesignTrends #DesignCritique #HomeDecor #TimelessDesign #DesignerOpinions #ResidentialInteriors #AestheticPreferences #DecoratingAdvice