“I started in 2020 and we have seen a pretty significant shift in the sentiment driving these trends forward,” Stanback says. “Escapism is not necessarily new, but it’s evolved over the past few years as we’ve dealt with the effects of being isolated for quite some time—that’s not normal behavior. While we’re five years out from the pandemic, I think we’re still dealing with the effects of it [now].”
The foundation of this annual report, which Stanback’s team usually starts compiling in August, is built on consumer behavior in real time from searches on Pinterest’s platform across a global audience of Gen Z, millennials, boomers, and Gen X. From there, the list is narrowed down to “help people identify 20 different ways of authentically expressing themselves.” She claims that there’s been a noticeable change in how people are engaging with trends today. Upon further review, I wonder if we’re more nostalgic for the past now because we’re so uncertain about the future.
“We’ve had a few trends over the past few years that are a bit traditional like ‘eclectic grandpa,’” Stanback explains. “Fisherman aesthetic is very nautical, but you can make it your own and make it as bold as you want to. When I have a vision of this trend, specifically in a home space, it’s about having fish nets, muddy earth tones, and fishing collectibles. You can tap into it in a lot of different ways.”
Naturally, romanticizing a cozy, coastal life doesn’t have to stop at your closet. You, too, can channel those same layered lake looks inside your home if you know how to curate. Frances Merrill, founder of Reath Design, has been building new ground on this traditional style through a combination of vibrant textiles and timeless patterns that build out colorful narratives. The AD100 designer’s zesty interpretation translates to “sun faded, casual, and layered in a very haphazard almost accidental way,” as seen with her residential projects in Maine and Massachusetts. “We try to get the feeling that different generations have left their mark, a needlepoint pillow might live next to a space-age lamp,” she explains in an email.
Merrill often uses the books Family Houses by the Sea and Finnish Summer Houses as references, while also hitting local auction houses and antique malls to channel coastal inspiration. “To me, this look is very evocative of childhood summer, who wouldn’t want to be reminded of a time with little responsibility?” Not only do these immersive spaces reflect that playful spirit, but they capture the raw feelings evoked by the surrounding natural environment.
