Around the house: Choose timeless design over modern décor

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I have a theory as to why we hear so little talk about trends among designer retailers. People who have traditionally worked along seasonal trendlines (decorative floral pillows in spring/solid green pillows in fall) have learned how consistent delivery delays — common during COVID — can mess with that model.

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Perhaps they are beginning to wonder if it makes sense for pink pillows to lose most of their value if they arrive in September, when the sales, marketing and merchandising departments have gone green, or twelve months later, they’ll both be “so last year”?

Thinking dealers and makers know that neutral palettes and timeless design appeal to a growing market of homeowners who appreciate long-lasting, trend-resistant décor.

That’s almost a brand promise with OYOY, the Danish design company launched in 2012. Named after the lettering that’s been on all Danish aircraft since 1929, it celebrates a design reductively instantly recognizable – like an airplane – as Danish.

The collections are rooted in the tradition of blending function and good looks in everyday objects, and in them furniture is taken for granted to be built for multi-generational use.

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The color story extends to soothing woody tones, mixed with blues, browns, camels and blacks. Textile and pillow designs include classic striped and dot patterns, along with organic cotton bedding in a delicious ice blue. Vases, lights, plant pots, and hanging food storage baskets come in bold shapes and easy colors that add subtle graphic elements alone or mixed together.

Founded in 2005 as a purpose-driven lifestyle brand, Obakki is committed to long-lasting home décor products that have a social or environmental impact.

They frequently collaborated with Byron and Dexter Peart on the Goodee X Moonstone collection featuring ceramic artist Bianca Pintan. Inspired by the Australian countryside, the raw edges, high-gloss finishes and pebbled glazing of these pieces evoke the texture and tone of the landscape.

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Obakki’s stunning collection includes wall hangings, towels and other textiles, jewelry, ceramics, glass/serving/dish plates, prints, woven rugs, and interesting accents such as beeswax candles in adorable floral motifs.

There’s a calming, soothing Swedish influence running through the MUST European-made line of upholstered chairs, art, and accessories. Their soft organic shapes and neutral tones create monochromatic spaces with depth, contrast and character, and their makers point to impeccable structure and attention to detail as marks of product quality and longevity.

For more information on timeless design, go to www.aroundthehouse.ca.

Designer Jake Arnold created a gorgeous color palette to collaborate with bedding brand Parachute—a limited-edition collection of linens, pleated curtains, robe and pillows executed in comfortable and versatile shades.

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I can’t imagine being sick of earthy browns, gentle oranges, and whispering pinks, or sick of merging them on the bed. Any and all of them would also go well with the strong burgundy color available as well, which would look divine, I suppose, with pink linen in an indigo bedroom.

The bedding sample sent to me looks like it will last for decades. It is a dense fabric that has been meticulously detailed and finished. Unlike some fitted linen bottom sheets, it had appropriately snug corners.

The texture is repeated throughout the line in the raw edge of the hem, the textured hand of washed linen or boucle, and the velor cotton pillows. The botanical print on the washed linen robe adds another layer of interest, repeated in the cozy staples.

Even mass dealers whose model includes seasonal surpluses seem to put more emphasis on durable, age-appropriate designs and color-appropriate.

For price-conscious retailers like Winners, HomeSense, and Marshalls, this is reflected in the natural palette that colors their spring décor offerings. The cozy look of creams, camels, and straws is beautifully executed in wicker and straw baskets, woven lampshades, patchwork pillows, ceramic kitchenware, and classic touches like mother-of-pearl side tables. Any look can be the next generation’s collectibles.