The Past, Present and Future of Design

Very Demure, Very Mindful

“I love the storytelling aspect of interior design. Objects can hold so much meaning and one of my favorite things about being a designer is the frequent opportunity to hear from a client, artist or antique dealer about why something is important to them.” —Tara McCauley, Tara McCauley

“I love that it’s getting more organic—natural materials, more curves, softer environments and views of nature. These are all things that help connect us back to nature, which is important.” —Gala Magriñá, Gala Magriñá Design

Old Meets New

“I love that traditional design and the use of antiques are back. It feels like there is so much more character to a room.” —DuVäl, DuVäl Design

“In my design practice, we always look to the past to inform our present. As of late, I have been loving designs from the 1930s, from Rietveld to Milan to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.” —Laura Jenkins, Laura W. Jenkins Interiors

“What we like to do is marry the past with the present. Currently, I like how it seems there are a lot of historic detailing that designers are restoring instead of stripping away.” —Todd Raymond, Studio Todd Raymond

“I love the timelessness of design, the physical embodiment of culture through the ages of humankind. Design from past millennia is experienced today and shapes the future into perpetuity. It’s deep!” —Christine Carney, Blackberry Farm Design

Color Crush

“I’m loving all the color again. I know we had a neutrals era, but the colors are back and it is hot. I see more earth-toned colors—terracottas, olives, rich golds—but also I see historical colors here. Those deep London blues, burgundy, rich greens. It’s so fun to finally see them making their way back.” —Christine Vroom, Christine Vroom Interiors

“Clearly, from my own kitchen, which recently debuted in Architectural Digest, I love chartreuse. I also love mixing materials like concrete, wood, brick, stone and glass. I’m loving how artful lighting is becoming. I love how far we’ve come from white marble with gray veining as the default. Here for it.” —Leah Alexander, Beauty Is Abundant

“Right now I’m really loving how color is king, with color-drenched rooms and shades like powder blue taking up more space. For the future, I truly see more color, texture and layered design as distinguishing real life from digital or artificial. As for the past, I love the historic homes, buildings and churches in Mexico; there is so much inspiration there.” —Susie Novak, Susie Novak Interiors

Go Bold

“The character of it all! As an ex-actress, I revel in the opportunity to take on the character and perspectives of my clients and interpret them into their livable spaces. And that is what speaks to me about great design from every era. You can feel the energy of the people it was meant for!” —Noel Gatts, beam&bloom

“Design is like a bridge that connects the old with the new, continually adapting to the latest trends while holding on to timeless principles that have always made spaces feel like home. It’s fascinating to see how designs from decades ago still influence the choices we make today, creating a beautiful blend of past and present that will carry into the future… 

There’s something special about bespoke furnishings and bold textiles—they make each space uniquely personal. Bespoke pieces are more than just furniture; they’re personal statements, crafted to fit the precise needs and tastes of their owners. And when it comes to textiles, the bolder, the better! They infuse life and color into rooms, turning ordinary spaces into reflections of personal style…

What I love most about design is its ability to cater to everyone—from the grandparent who cherishes a classic look, to the teen who wants something trendy and bold. It’s this versatility and personal touch that make design endlessly captivating, no matter the era.” —Rhonnika Clifton, R J Clifton Designs

What’s New and Next

“I am pretty stoked about what’s happening in the design world. Get ready for even more outrageous bursts of creativity and a bolder embrace of color. Future designs won’t just draw inspiration from the past; they’ll twist traditional concepts in ways we’ve never seen before. This transformation will bring out an even deeper sense of nostalgia and comfort, hitting that perfect balance of familiar and cherished experiences. Without a doubt, the trend of celebrating uniqueness and favoring timeless, enduring pieces over disposable ones will keep influencing the design world…

Design is all about showing off your individual style and embracing vibrant colors, dynamic patterns and captivating textures like never before, just like we aim to do with our custom wallpaper designs at Parrish DeLapp. Oh, and let’s not forget our latest adventure, Hue, paying homage to the role of color in creating personalized living spaces and offering meticulously chosen pieces in the historic River District of Danville, Virginia. Cheers to the future of design!” —Nancy Parrish, Nancy Parrish Interiors