Death to Millennial Grey: Maximalist Designs to Find Inspiration
Years before I was a designer or creative director of anything, I was a consumer of color, pattern and textures. An award winning interior designer in my (teenage) mind, I drilled holes into candles, strung clear fishing line through them and hung them at various heights to recreate the only thing I liked about the Harry Potter craze, the floating candles in the Hogwarts dining room.
Empowered by the design shows of the 90’s and early 00’s, the DIY movement was born and gave us DIY mosaic tile tables (that would surely be banned for safety today), decoupage and stenciled everything! Now as adults, millennials have rebelled against those foundational lessons in design and opted for soulless boxes of grey, black, white and get crazy with a pop of navy or sage green all punctuated by the modern farm house aesthetic that has been so popular in recent years.
This is not advocacy to bring back the design horrors of the 90’s and early 00’s, it is an ode to spaces that have spent the time to maximize their use of color, texture, patterns and audacity. These spaces prove that we had nothing to fear, our execution just needed some work.
The Broadwick Soho : The 70’s Powdery Jewlery Box of Your Dreams
Photos credit Broadwick Soho
Where to start with the gem that is the Broadwick Soho. Whether it is the large brass elephants present in almost every suite or the mixture of bold, loud patterns in the rugs, textiles or wallpaper, every inch of this hotel is carefully curated to perfection. The rooftop is a masterpiece with art deco inspired touches around every turn. The piece de resistance is the mirrored hexagonal ceiling, accentuated by the mirrored bar that is the centerpiece of the space. It is as if you are standing inside of a disco ball. There are leopard and zebra prints, florals and geometric patterns a plenty and every inch works. Each of the rooms have their own je ne sais quoi in them but the penthouse brought back wallpapered ceilings and we are all the better for it!
Villa Palladio Jaipur : Where Red Suddenly Becomes Relaxing
Photo credit Villa Palladio Jaipur
Red is the theme of the palatial Villa Palladio in various tints, tones and shades, this bright and bold estate can’t help but captivate the eye. The use of analogous and contrasting colors shows the true design mastery behind each decision. A property overflowing with the omnipresent scalloped archways perfected by Indian architecture. Palm trees, vines and flowers are intricately handpainted across the property and illuminated by hand carved woodscreens and window inserts. This property’s opus? Its grand foyer; filled to the brim with colors, patterns, hand carvings and lush textiles.
Downtown Los Angeles Proper Hotel: Mexican Inspired Textural Heaven
Photo credit Kelly Wearstler
Kelly Wearstler’s eye is perfection. Starting at reception of the Downtown LA Proper, you are greeted with a hand carved sculptural masterpiece affixed to the reception desk, the kind of piece as a child you would want to run your hands all over just to know what it feels like. The Caldo Verde restaurant is a vibrant blend of muted earth tones, true pops of purples, yellows that delight the eye and textures galore. Walking from the lobby into the restaurant you are ushered in by a handpainted mural on the ceiling that evokes the modernist Mexican art that inspired the hotel’s design. Wearstler brings in nature in a way that is only reminiscent of the posh cafes in Mexico city, bold cacti, inviting trees and greenery is plentiful in every room.
La Fantasie: Parisian Tea Time With a Hint of Rococo Charm
Photo credit La Fantaisie
La Fantasie is like stepping into your grandmother’s pastel clad living room in the best way; filled with a distinct personality and mixed matched upholstery that somehow just works even if the untrained eye wouldn’t be able to make sense of it. The rooms are adorned with bold colorful moldings complimented by a color palette of soft pinks, blue, greens and yellows, soft scalloped edged furnishings and faberegé egg inspired lamps. It’s just a fun space filled, a plethora of colors, patterns and a touch of nostalgia.
Aomori Nebuta Room: Full Color Folklore Immersion
Photo credit Aomoriya Hotel
The onsen (hot spring) Aomoriya Hotel is situated in northern rural Japan, where the culture is colorful, celebrations and rituals are plentiful and story telling through imagery is ubiquitous. The Aomori Nebuta in the Aomoriya Hotel pays homage to that history and the Nebuta Matsuri (festival) that takes place in Aomori each summer in August. Brightly colored Nebuta (floats) depicting brave warrior figures are carried through the streets each night to celebrate the gifts of nature and from the gods as well as to foster community. The Aomori Nebuta Room celebrates that spirit everyday. Colorful warriors cover the walls, delicate screens as well as pillows and throws. Accessorized with a peaceful care flying into cotton candy colored clouds and a zebra chaise, this room is lively, vibrant and meaningful.
Ofelia: To Satisfy Your Naughty Maximalist Side
Photo credit Ofelia at The Arts Club Dubai
Floral tapestry, leopard print, modern sleek tables paired with Victorian inspired antiques all set against dark moody Marquina marble make up the masterpiece that is the Ofelia in Arts Club in Dubai. Nothing says Italian brasserie quiet like antique leopard upholstered chairs and a bright blue fish plate. The Ofelia combines decadence, sophistication and just a touch of raunch that makes this space ultimate perfection. Nothing matches and yet everything works, proving that clean, sleek line minimalism is fine but coordinated chaos is a symphony created by whimsy, talent and throwing all the design rules out the window. Plush purple velvet pillows and sleek red tables pair perfectly with bold florals arrangements, mirrored ceilings and sky high wallpapers that serve as artwork themselves make everyone who walks into the space a little sexier.
The Pink Zebra: The Real Life Barbie Dream House
The name says it all: Pink and Zebra, does anyone really need more than that? Reminiscent of the original Barbie, this space features black and white lines from floor to ceiling only accented by monochrome bright bubble gum pink arches, lamps, and furniture. The perfectly symmetrical restaurant makes a diner feel as if they are a character in the slightly surreal world of a Wes Anderson film.
Here Kitty Kitty: Beyond Instagramable
Photo credit Here Kitty Kitty
Origami butterflies float in and out of the paper sculpted cherry blossom trees all nestled under a canape of dozens of paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling foreshadow what’s to come when you enter Here Kitty Kitty. Once you traverse the paper mural garden in the entrance you are greeted by neon signs, a ceiling draped in the hanging flowers, and a brick wall mural of the Kitty in question having a hell of a time. Dubbed one of the most instagramable spots in Singapore, the design goes beyond the typical list of spots to take your selfies. Large Japanese inspired arches flank the corners created intimate spaces to dine and lounge against bright red leather seating and street art mixing the traditional and the modern seamlessly into one space.
Mö Mö: A Modern Moroccan Delight For The Soul
Photo credit Mö Mö
In a sea of modernized Moroccan design that somehow lacks the original character that makes everything about Moroccan design special and so incredibly influential, Mö Mö in Marrakech stands out like a light house in a storm. Everything there is to love about Moroccan design, the shapes, the colors, the intricate patterns, is amplified in their interiors. Leaning into traditional and simply swapping to a softer color palette, Mö Mö has delighted the eye and offered a new and vibrant twist on modern Moroccan decor. From the lamps, to the wall murals and tapestries, the through line of this design is the colorful yet muted tones highlighted by rich Sahara green Zelige tiles that accurately reflects the varied landscapes and hues that you find across the rich country.
Belka: Proving “More is More” is Sometimes Better
When an interior features an enormous mature tree and an aquarium table you’re in for a treat and the Belka restaurant in the northern region of Russian is just that. Saranin Artemy mixes wicker tasselled lamps and crystal chandeliers as if there was never another option. Your eye will dance as it uncovers each layer in this canvas whether in the ornate, fleur de lys clad wrought iron banisters coupled with spanish inspired tiled floors or the gold mosaics with bright blue velvet sofas or the modern concrete coupled with contemporary geometric patterned prints. With neon signs and bold floral wallpapers this space honors the maximalist spirit with a deft artist’s vision and also respects when maximalist design has been achieved and it’s time to lay the brush down.