[dropcap style=”letter” size=”52″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#21d3cd”]I[/dropcap]’m not sure where the fascination with nostalgia in home décor started, but I think it might have been when the phase-outs of the incandescent bulbs were being announced all over the globe. Suddenly, everyone wanted what they thought they would be losing forever — and they took it to the extreme.
It wasn’t just that they wanted to keep the inefficient incandescent lighting they knew and loved, but now they yearned for the old filament bulbs (talk about inefficient!). The industry listened and soon – Let there be filament light! – the look was back. In fact, it is now everywhere, including Europe.
Fast forward a few years and the technological advances in LED have allowed for the recreation of these vintage filament bulbs using energy-efficient and dimmable LED. At Dallas Market/Lightovation in January, the look of these old-fashioned bulbs (whether in LED or incandescent) could be found on fixtures in most showrooms.
The same trend was noticeable at the International Builders’ Show and K/BIS in January. One of the most pervasive looks was colorful ovens — and thankfully not the Harvest Golds and Avocados of the 1960s and ’70s. Instead, it was the Canary Yellows, Turquoise Greens, Petal Pinks, and Cadet Blues of the 1950s. Just as with lighting, nostalgia has come back in force. And, as with the lighting industry, there have been technological advances made in appliances that bring these vintage looks to modern-day efficiency.
Your lighting showroom will have customers who want this aesthetic – along with Rustic Industrial – in their kitchens. Take a close look at our report from K/BIS in this issue. By being aware of the overall trends in kitchens and baths, you will have a broader knowledge base to best guide your customers in selecting the perfect fixtures.
