Timeless or Trend?

Will your current faves stand the test of time? How do you decide where to take risks and where it’s safe to invest? Alexandra breaks it down.

We’ve seen them come and go. Trends that pop up all over Pinterest or flood your Instagram feed. But Alexandra says don’t let incorporating your favorite looks become a scary part of designing your space. “I have an old file of tear sheets; some are 30 years old. Some spaces are modern, and some are very traditional. But I love them and get as much inspiration from these photos as the day I pulled them,” Alexandra says. “I think that’s because even when they incorporate elements that were trending at that time, they didn’t do so for the sake of being on trend. The application made sense and solved a problem. The best design is form following function.”

And ultimately, if you stick to what you love, you’ll be making your most important audience happy—yourself! “If you are crazy about a floral, just go with it ... Don’t worry about if it’s in style or when it will go out of style. Just embrace it.”

What’s on Alexandra’s hits list? Take a look and get inspired.

Favorite trend right now:

Black steel factory windows. I love that they can feel both cozy European and farmhouse. It can feel industrial or like a more elegant pied à terre. I think this element has broad appeal.

What is timeless and will never go out of style?

Chinoiserie is always a favorite. When you pick a look that has history and can be updated for today, you know it’s something that will last.

Design must-have:

I need sparkle somewhere. I love brass—I guess that’s my favorite trend.

What will always work:

Always mix warm and cool. You need that balance to make a space feel rich and refined. Blue and white is a cottage classic—I like to throw in some red, pink or gold too; otherwise, it feels like you’re drowning in water. Too much cool is too watery. And too much warm, you have to balance that always.