“Don’t believe the hype,” they’ll tell you. Everyone these days is about being alternative… And what better way to be an alternative than jumping back into styles people abandoned two decades ago? 

Whether it’s millennials lining up in front of thrift shops or the uncalled-for return of the mullet… today, everybody seems nostalgic for a bygone era. Bellbottoms suddenly see the light of day after years in the closet, and people start quoting ‘Friends’ and ‘Frasier’ again. Well, we say – what’s not to like?

Folks with an eye for this stuff call this the '20-year rule’ and as interior design enthusiasts, this nostalgic trend hasn’t escaped our notice... Anything that screams ‘20th century’ is suddenly flying off the shelves. Take a look at some of these items from recent auctions, happily off to their new homes as we speak.

Nostalgic Interior Design - Trends to Keep Your Eyes Peeled For

It’s no secret that abstract and surrealist art has been lining the halls of stylishly decorated, bright, and modern apartments, adding splashes of bright color, in an otherwise monochrome world. What about the warm brown and orange aesthetics of the 1970s? Who knew that color combo would ever make a comeback? For Cleveland Browns fans it never went away!

Well, nostalgia in interior design is nothing new. The ritual of discovering a rare vintage piece and giving it a new life in the contemporary world has always been in our nature. However, it has also grown exponentially thanks to the trend spreading like wildfire on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Historically, trends come in cycles. Some live, others die. Here are our predictions. 

Fast Furniture is So… 10 Years Ago

Second-hand shopping has recently grown into a $36 billion industry that is expected to eclipse fast fashion & fast furniture by 2025. A heightened focus on sustainability has turned crowds of increasingly younger consumers towards pre-owned instead of fast fashion and fast furniture. 

For example, Ikea has always been a lifesaver to those youngsters decorating their dorm room or first home on a budget. Their designers know what’s trendy, and in turn, Ikea produces it by the truckload. However, many consumers are turning away from these fast furniture giants and to smaller, local shops and auction houses.  It’s not just about being environmentally friendly - it’s also about the cool factor of showing off a solid piece of high-quality furniture from an era that’s making a comeback. Just take a look at these gems. 

Grandma-Approved Aesthetic

Step aside, minimalism. The interior design scene is currently experiencing a charming coup d'état led by millennials who have ditched the sleek and sterile for the cozy and nostalgic. Enter the 'Grandmillennial' aesthetic, a trend that's turning grandparents’ houses everywhere into the new hotspot for style inspiration. Forget sleek lines and futuristic vibes; it's all about floral prints, needlepoint pillows, chintz and uniquely matched furniture that would make your grandmother proud. It's a throwback to the days when furniture had character and not just assembly instructions.

This trend has millennials raiding thrift stores, antique markets, estate sales, and auction houses, on a mission to find the perfect vintage lamp or a mid-century-modern Eames lounge chair. Colorful travel blankets are no longer embarrassingly hidden away; they are proudly displayed as the focal point of the living room. The more eclectic and eccentric, the better. After all, what's the point of having a perfect, curated space if it doesn't tell a story?

To make your grandparents proud, look for these elements at one of our next auctions:

• Floral and Toile Patterns - intricate designs grace everything from wallpaper to upholstery, bringing a classic, cozy feel to spaces.

• Vintage Furniture - heirloom-quality pieces, such as mid-century-modern chairs or antique wooden tables, that tell a story and add depth to the decor.

• Soft Pastels and Rich Jewel Tones - a color palette that combines soothing pastels with deeper, vibrant tones for a balanced, inviting look.

• Decorative Plates and China - displayed on walls or in cabinets, these collections add a personal touch and nod to the nostalgia of family gatherings.

• Brass and Crystal Accents - elegant light fixtures, hardware, and décor which reflect a bygone era of glamor and sophistication.

• Rugs, dark red sarouks,  Navajo geometrics, Persian Serapis & Kermans - these colorful floor coverings add warmth to plain floors.Books/Scientific Collections and Paintings - Shelves brimming with books and curious paraphernalia (Antique microscopes, anyone?) and walls adorned with classic 19th century portraits and landscapes or 20th century modern art, emphasizes personal interests and intellectual pursuits.

A New Era of Retro-Futurism 

Diving even deeper into the cosmos of interior design, retro-futurism emerges as athrilling concoction of yesteryear's charm and tomorrow's dreams. This style, blooming from seeds planted in the vibrant 1960s, weaves together the whimsical pop culture of its birth with the nascent whispers of technological dawn, all under a playful, sci-fi glow. These emblematic creations not only voiced the era's tech-laden aspirations, but also married form with function.

The 1980s saw the christening of this style as "retro-futurism" by Lloyd John Dunn, encapsulating the paradox of nostalgic longing intertwined with futurist visions. Fast forward to the roaring 2020s, and retro-futurism has reinvented itself, this time against the backdrop of the Metaverse and AI, morphing into a reimagined narrative that bridges the latest in tech with the timeless allure of the past.

Today's retro-futuristic interior design unfurls a canvas of:

• Sinuous Silhouettes - today's furniture sports rounded edges and pebble shapes, infusing spaces with a futuristic vibe that still highlights the comfort of organic forms.

• Metallic Accents - taking cues from the fashion runways, interiors are now flirting with metallic finishes in chrome, silver, and steel, offering a shiny nod to the future in contrast to the warmth and texture of the present.

• Sculptural Lighting - not just functional,  lighting is an art form, find sculptural and mystic shapes that can transform a ceiling or corner into a tableau of curiosity and wonder.

Retro-futurism celebrates a fusion of eras, a testament to our perennial quest to venture into the unknown while clinging to the comfort of the past..

For All Your Nostalgic Interior Design Needs…

At Gray’s, we embrace slow culture and, and celebrate our grandparents’ style , Our collections boast pieces that effortlessly blend nostalgia with modern flair, providing the perfect touch of personality for any modern space. So, whether you're a true-blue grandmillennial or just looking to add a touch of retro charm to your space, keep a sharp eye out for our upcoming auctions, and discover treasures that will make your home the envy of the Instagram-savvy.