(via Belgian Pearls)

Before diving into my "In & Out" list for 2023, I want to gently preface it with a reminder that there are no hard rules in design—just layers of context, intention, and personality. Style is always subjective, and trends, while fascinating to observe, are merely tools. I think of them like a buffet: take what delights you, leave what doesn’t.

What I love about watching the ebb and flow of design movements is seeing what we collectively rediscover and reinterpret. Trends can be playful prompts that help us notice a material, silhouette, or palette we may have overlooked. For me, they’re not prescriptions—they're possibilities. I’ve always championed the idea of a well-considered mix, so even the most “out” trend might still earn a spot in a room if it serves a purpose or sparks joy.

The list that follows is more observational than absolute—a reflection of where I see design sensibilities moving, and a few things I hope we all lean into more. And yes, some of the “outs” are just pet peeves. You’ve been warned.

(via Katie Considers, photography by Hector Manuel Sanchez) P.S. This Tom Ford coffee table book is definitely on the out list... but the rest of the space is so worth it. Can you spot the antique tapestry?

In & Out: Interior Design in 2023

IN LIST
Quartzite and soapstone
Dark wood antiques
Warm-white light bulbs
Pleated curtains & lamp shades
Antique tapestries
Bullion and tassel fringe
Mixing polished nickel & brass
Bookshelves (filled with books)
Free-standing bathtubs
Small cabinet hardware
Reading your coffee table books
Period-appropriate wall trim
Grasscloth wallpaper
Mixing design styles
Shopping vintage
Taking your time

OUT LIST
Gallery walls with plants
Color-changing lightbulbs/strips
Small sputnik chandeliers
Reproduction “vintage” rugs
(Faux) fiddle leaf fig trees
Matte gold/black metal
Recessed lighting
Seasonal decorating
Paneled accent walls
Gray-toned wood flooring
Stark white walls and exteriors
Poorly-made “dupes”
Quick makeovers
Exposed bulbs

xoko