Courtesy of Ciaran O'Neill

DESIGN

TRENDS THROUGH THE DECADES

So many of the “new” products featured online and in magazines aren’t actually new at all. If you follow interior design trends, then you can identify many of the origin points of today’s trends. To illustrate, here are eight design trends from the last 70 years that have made a lasting impact on what’s popular today.

• 1950s : The aforementioned mid-century modern era took hold in the 1950s, heavily influenced by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who blended organic forms with manmade objects and placed functionality above all. • 1960s : Heavily influenced by the counter-culture movement at the time, psychedelic interiors were bold – even visually shocking. With wild patterns, mismatched colours and furniture often made of plastic. • 1970s : Harvest gold and avocado green appliances and cabinetry were must-haves in the 1970s. And a return to some of the mid-century modern aesthetics of the ‘50s meant wood tones and natural stone were back in style. • 1980s : Interior design took a more feminine turn in the ‘80s, with floral wallpaper and pastel colours reigning supreme. Matching accents were also big and many design features leaned towards traditional – such as arches and more intricately detailed furniture.

• 1990s : The busyness of the ‘80s gave way to a design style that remains trendy to this day – minimalism. Clean lines, exposed brick and a more subdued vibe became an important aspect, as people’s home became more of a way to escape the fast-paced world outside. • 2000s : In contrast to minimalism, the 2000s saw a return to the traditional as shabby chic, vintage and distressed items became popular. • 2010s : A blend of the clean lines and functionality of mid-century modern with minimalism gave way to an appreciation for Scandinavian design. Light-toned wood in useable and aesthetically pleasing spaces was a staple of the 2010s. • 2020s : Already a couple of years into the 2020s, we’re seeing a return to the natural. Unpainted woods, rough-cut stone and nature-inspired colours like soft blue and green.

Name

Place

Clockmaker

Cost

LOGIC PUZZLE Three members of the Boston Horology Society have just returned from a holiday in Switzerland where they each purchased a handmade cuckoo clock. Can you work out where each person bought their clock, the name of the clockmaker and how much each clock cost – $100, $120 or $150? 1. Gloria Greene didn’t buy the cheapest clock and it wasn’t the one manufactured by Franz Geisser. 2. The clock bought in Geneva was manufactured by Hans Bruckner and was cheaper than the one bought by Wilbur Watson. 3. Trudie Tipler didn’t buy her cuckoo clock in Zurich. 4. The most expensive clock was purchased in Zermatt but wasn’t the one manufactured by Herman Finkel. Courtesy of www.puzzlechoice.com

$150

Zermatt Franz Geisser

Wilbur Watson

$100

Geneva Hans Bruckner

Trudie Tipler

$120

Zurich Herman Finkel

Gloria Greene

Cost

Place Clockmaker

Name

Answers: