TURN BACKTIME
Why the golden pineapple is at the heart of a retro revolution
Retro, nostalgia, kitsch… call it what you want, it’s coming back. The refreshing resurgence follows years of contemporary styling which saw minimalist accessories, clean lines and white interiors taking centre stage.
Then, as the recession hit, minimalism morphed into a more industrialist take on interiors, with resourceful homeowners and designers turning to the power of upcycling to put their own stamp on their property.
While we’re still not 100% home and dry from the recession, Britain is well on the way to recovery with homeowners once again starting to splash ash the cash on home décor with nostalgia fast becoming the hottest trend around.
THE GOLDEN PINEAPPLE
The golden pineapple has become the emblem of this return to nostalgia and has been immortalised in homewares, with everything from candles and trinket holders to lamps and ice buckets available in the fruity design.
You can even use them to adorn the walls thanks to Sanderson and its Pineapple Royale collection – a fabulous black wallpaper complete with unmissable, gold pineapple prints.
It is gorgeous and everyone who sees it snaps up a roll or two.
In fact, I’ve lost count of the number of our interior design clients who now have feature walls with golden pineapples emblazoned across them.
Our love affair with the tropical plant shows little sign of abating. As well as looking great, the golden pineapple – alongside its increasingly popular counterpart, the pink flamingo – add some real quirkiness to the home.
Plus, with pieces available at varying price points, it’s one of the most accessible interior trends to come along in a long time.
HOME AND BAR-GAIN
Most homes have a liquor cupboard – a corner of the room dedicated to your favourite tipple and halffinished bottles of booze brought back from some European holiday.
Most usually contain an assortment of tumblers as well as a few cocktail accessories collected over the years and kept, just in case they should ever come in handy.
But as the country’s love affair with all things gin flourishes, so too has our desire to show off our designer spirits. Step forward the bar trolley.
Once considered confined to the history books, bar trolleys are back, big style. Whether you want an authentic vintage piece or a new imitation model – there are plenty to choose from. Find one that complements your existing décor and atop with your favourite tipples.
It’s also the perfect excuse to get rid of any chipped glasses and treat
yourself to a spanking new set.
COSY UP
At the heart of the retro revolution is our bid to re-cosy our homes from the days of minimalism.
Cushions, throws and rugs are the perfect p starting point fo for adding layers and textures tex and can revive tired living rooms without withou having to invest in any big big-ticket items.
This refreshing resurgence will allow you to bridge the gap between the bareness of minimalism with the kitschness of full-on nostalgia without having to break the bank or go too over-the-top. For other quick fixes, try introducing an old painting or print complete with chunky ornate frame – both of which can be picked up pretty cheaply at second-hand or charity shops – a record player and some classic vinyl albums or add an old-fashioned coat rack and umbrella stand in the hallway.
In the kitchen, opt for mis-matched crockery in bright colours and bold patterns and antique bottles for decoration.
Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of network TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling.