Fashion photography was first on the list of topics. Ms. Needleman discussed the areas where this trend is evident and sited the May 2012 story from Wall Street Journal Magazine: “Dream Weavers” which featured fashion model Stella Tennant.  Needleman said, ”She’s [Tennant] a strong model with aristocratic blood but we photographed her in a blank, quite sterile environment. It creates a tension”.  The combination of Tennant’s image, which evokes a certain kind of elegance, combined with a non-elegant and simple background, created a feeling of restrained tension.

Stella Tennant

*photo courtesy of  mode.newlicious.net

Ms. Needleman also used an image of a living room at Chatsworth (a grand English country estate) to illustrate this trend further:

Chatsworth Sitting Room

*photo courtesy of Cotedetexas.com

A flokati rug was placed on top of an antique rug and slip-covered chairs appeared as unexpected decor that ordinary traditionalists would probably not see as befitting this grand English country estate.  ”It’s all about lightening up luxurious decorating, making it feel homey and casual. Like antique and vintage fabrics, particularly those from other cultures,  using them signals that you’re literally letting people in.” remarked Needleman. Examples of this are: using “ethnic” fabrics on lampshades, something she calls “charming” and piling on ”loads of pillows and even leaving supplies out, which gives a sign of life, like a coat rack.” She emphasized the importance of making a space personal, warm, cozy, and inviting while letting the simple elements speak for themselves.

Needleman went on to explain how the food trends might also influence decor. Movements like farm to table, gastropubs, or other specialized restaurants  (The Meatball shop on the LES for example),  “are creating a sense of place, storytelling, and underscoring simplicity”  she said. The key word here is: simplicity. Most restaurants that serve highly specialized cuisines tend to present the food in a simple manner and decorate simply, while letting the taste of food speak for itself.  An image of Yves Saint-Laurent’s living at his home in Tangiers, perfectly illustrates this approach with one chintz pattern covering all the chairs and sofa, in a simple white room.

Yves St. Laurent Sitting Room

*photo courtesy of Nicespace.me

The simple stands out while the overly patterned chintz looks perfect!  Another example of restrained tension décor was exemplified in an image of a fancy set table placed in the middle of a meadow surrounded by trees. It was so out of place, yet it looked perfect… case and point!

Decoration trends do not “refresh” themselves as often as fashion trends. Therefore it’s easier to see shifts in the trends in fashion than decor.  Ms. Needleman feels that there’s something great about looking at one frivolous item paired with something simple and streamlined (both the fashion as well as décor), as seen on the runway from Italian fashion designer Valentino. She used Pauline de Rothschild’s living room as an example, pointing out its cooky furniture arrangement  and lack of art on the walls. Needleman commented, “It’s a virginal innocence combined with a richness. Something so wrong it’s right.”

Pauline de Rothschild Sitting Room

*photo courtsey of Stylebeat.com

After Ms. Needleman’s lecture, attendees had the choice of several different talks throughout the day. I attended the conversation with interior decorator Murray Moss and architect Susan de Menil, about the intersection of Art and Design. The question: “Is decor  the “glue” that holds architecture and art together?” was asked. Stayed tuned for the next article to hear all about this most fascinating discussion!