Home Design Trendspotting: The Handcrafted Touch

Home Design Trendspotting: The Handcrafted Touch

Call it Granny Chic, Vintage, or American Heritage, a small dose of handcrafted design is everywhere in fashion and home decor. I'm not Faith Popcorn, but as a design professional, it is important to spot trends and stay a little ahead of the curve. That way I can introduce fresh ideas to clients and incorporate them in design plans for model homes and home staging. To that end, Handcraft has arrived.

I decided to test this trend by picking up six random, newly arrived catalogs, and looked for handcrafted-looking items in each. This was a good test, because they ranged from Ballard Designs to cb2!

In fashion, we're seeing bold appliques with fanciful stitchery, such as this casual skirt from Boden. Traditional craft meets a little Pop Art. As might be expected, more traditional crewel work abounds from Ballard Designs in a complete bedroom ensemble, which also offers pillows that could be used on a sofa. But would you expect crewel work from Ikea? That's their lampshade!

The wonderful felted wool pillow from Crate & Barrel carries the theme, but in a muted cream. "American Heritage" style, like the revival of the jean jacket, is reflected in the Mod take on the penny quilt from Garnet Hill. Finally, think there's no "Granny" in cb2? Look at that pouf! And it's only around $90!

If you're looking to warm up some modern design elements in your home, try something with crewel embroidery like the lampshade. If you have a more traditional style, update it with a Pop Art-inspired piece like the quilt or cream pillow.

Home Design Trendspotting: The Handcrafted Touch