The Independent on Saturday

Groovy 1970s decor is all the rage in 2021

- SACHA VAN NIEKERK sacha.vanniekerk@inl.co.za

NEW York-based celebrity stylist Samantha Brown said in an interview with Insider that the 1970s will be making yet another return to fashion this year, and it’s no surprise the trend is encompassi­ng decor now too.

From shag rugs to patterns covering every stitch of fabric, 1970s inspired decor is back in a big way with its warm and cheerful aesthetic that is bringing life back into our homes. How to get the 1970s decor look: Pattern

Patterns form a huge part of this trend.

From groovy 1970s florals to diamond check and bold, cartoonish illustrati­ons, it’s definitely a look made to stand out. Some opt to allow one print to shine at a time, but the “power clashing” of contrastin­g prints is also popular.

To make the decor work together, balance out bolder, more graphic prints with one that is more subtle, or go all out with garish prints at once.

Use similar colour palettes to tie everything together.

Flame Stitch

There's a definite retro appeal to flame stitch design – it was very popular in the 1970s.

The pattern is a closely spaced series of flame-like, jagged lines.

Unlike chevron, flame stitch’s zigs and zags are usually thin and can vary in height.

Macrame wall art

Macramé, an elaborate form of textile, became “Vogue” in America and Europe during the 1960s and 1970s when the fashion magazine released a book about it, bringing it to the forefront of fashion.

The textile is produced through various intricate knotting techniques.

By repeating knots in a certain sequence, patterns are formed.

Whether the piece is hung from a wooden rod to complement the earthy tones of the yarn used or made into a captivatin­g dream catcher, the designs created make stunning statement pieces that add unique textures to your space.

’70s inspired psychedeli­cs

Who knew green and pink or orange and purple were matches made in heaven?

The modern 1970s-inspired decor movement is all about self-expression and breaking rules with seemingly bizarre colour palettes.

The results are bold and playful yet effortless­ly chic.

The inspiratio­n comes from the psychedeli­c era that began in the late 1960s as a statement of liberation from the more restrictiv­e era of button-down shirts and stiff high-neck dresses.

Music and pop culture influenced a lot of the trends at the time as colour television sets were becoming increasing­ly popular among the general population.

As a result, in the late 1960s and 1970s, trends were enamoured with vibrant hues.

While these psychedeli­c colour combinatio­ns were mainly seen in fashion, in 2021, it’s trickled over to the decor side of things and can be seen in everything from statement floral centrepiec­es to whimsical wall art, gorgeously bold rugs and scatter cushions. Materials inspired by nature Brown, beige and earthy when it came to furniture and decor the 1970s design style was all about the back-tonature movement.

In modern expression­s of this decor style, natural elements breathe life into the home by highlighti­ng the beauty of natural materials and textures.

The grain of exposed wood, the intricate twists and turns of rattan, bamboo, seagrass and jute, and the speckled texture of real cork all add timeless qualities to decor that doesn’t go out of style.

Since natural materials are usually in neutral shades they seamlessly fit into most decor themes and will add warmth to homes with their welcoming hues.

And, the calmness of these hues only enhances the vibrant Technicolo­r and patterns seen in 1970s textiles. Mats

Whether you love geometric patterns, retro flowers, exaggerate­d wavy lines or simply love the idea of a statement piece, mats complete any room, bringing different decor elements together.

From shag to fringe, soft plush mats in varying sizes, materials and patterns are all the rage right now.

 ?? ?? MACRAME was a popular decor piece in the 1970s and in modern times too.
MACRAME was a popular decor piece in the 1970s and in modern times too.
 ?? ?? GROOVY 1970s inspired patterns make this kitchen decor pop.
GROOVY 1970s inspired patterns make this kitchen decor pop.
 ?? ?? BOLD patterns and colours paired together for a dramatic look. | Instagram
BOLD patterns and colours paired together for a dramatic look. | Instagram
 ?? ?? CLASHING patterns and prints give this 1970s inspired decor an eclectic feel.
CLASHING patterns and prints give this 1970s inspired decor an eclectic feel.

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