Ep. 9 Why Trends Are Actually Pretty Cool

This week, we delve into the fascinating world of trends and uncover how they are usually viewed in a limiting way but when we harness their true power (go-go gadget arms!) they can be useful tools to discover what you may be craving AND what you’ve had enough of. 

• Why trends go way beyond middle school 
• How trends can reveal what we truly want in our lives 
• How to incorporate trends in a way that feels authentic without falling victim to them
• Current Trends and what they reveal about us
• Simple, impactful changes you can make to your living space that reflect current trends without a complete overhaul.

Notes
Trend Etymology
The Significance of Keeping Up With Design Trends
Pantone Color Institute
My Room Revolution Course
My Website 

Transcript

Hello everyone, this is Mandy with Messy Designed Life. I am so glad you're here today and joining me. Today, we are going to talk about trends and how they can be used for good or evil. We'll figure out how to be aware of them, utilize them, and understand them in a way that's constructive rather than exclusive.

[Middle School Memory]

I wanted to start out by going back to middle school. I remember a girl named Amy, who had the most perfectly feathered bangs that you can imagine. If you lived in the late eighties in middle school, you'll remember this style where you feathered your bangs to the side and hair-sprayed them within an inch of their life so that your hair didn't move at all. Amy had a feathered hairstyle every single day, while mine were always wonky and not symmetrical. They would be droopy by the end of the day, whereas Amy's were perfect. Not only that, but she had these Guess jeans that I coveted. I constantly asked my mom for Guess jeans but ended up with Maurices jeans instead, which didn't have the same chic stone-washing.

[Inner Association with Trends]

I think we all have some inner relationship and assumptions about the word "trend" that go back to those childhood moments where we didn't feel like we fit in. Trends can seem exclusive and limiting, making us feel like we have to stay within them to be cool. However, there's so much more to learn from trends about ourselves—about who we are, what we want, and what we're craving. That's where the juicy part happens, when we can look past our previous associations with the term and see what trends have to offer us.

[Trends Beyond Being Cool]

I often get this question from clients: "How do we make changes in a space that won't look dated in a few years? What are the trends that will still be around in 10 to 20 years?" My answer is that trends will always exist, and you have to pay attention to what you want to live with. Trends don’t last forever, even ones that seem timeless like white marble countertops. When working with clients, we look at where trends come from, what they mean, and why we like them. Understanding our motivations behind trends helps us figure out what will last longer.

[Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation]

As we've discussed in previous episodes, there's a notable difference between outwardly motivated decisions and intrinsic or internally motivated decisions. So, how do we understand trends in a way that allows for intrinsic sourcing?

[Etymology of Trends]

The etymology of the word "trend" is to run or bend in a certain direction, to roll over or about. This definition implies a cyclical nature. Trends are not something we constantly chase; they are responses to what has come before. We react to past trends, and that's what creates current trends.

[Trends and Zeitgeist]

The term "zeitgeist" literally means "time spirit" in German. It refers to the overarching societal focus or perspective. Trends and zeitgeist show what people are craving and responding to. For example, design trends extend beyond aesthetics and embody innovation and a forward-thinking approach.

[Trends as Currents]

Trends are useful in understanding societal tendencies and inclinations. Imagine a graph with a curve formed by many data points—those data points represent what people are wanting, craving, and responding to. The trend is the curve, not the individual data points. Recognizing trends doesn't mean you have to follow them; it means understanding what they reflect about what we really want.

[Personal Reflection Through Trends]

We don't want our homes to look like trends; we want the underlying feelings those trends give us. We want the lifestyle and identity associated with those visuals. Trends are cyclical; we move through them, get what we need, and then move on to something different, only to circle back later.

[Practical Example: Paint Colors]

In 2016, both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore chose shades of white as their color of the year. This reflected a collective craving for calm and simplicity amid the noise of our daily lives. Trends show us what we want at a given time.

[Current Trends: Grandmillennial and Quiet Luxury]

The current "Grandmillennial" trend is one part maximalist, one part environmentally aware, and four parts grandma’s basement. It reflects a desire for personality, uniqueness, and heritage. On the other hand, "Quiet Luxury" is about refinement, quality, and simplicity—another reaction to the fast-paced, chaotic world we live in.

[Identifying Personal Style Through Trends]

Recognizing trends helps avoid being a victim to them. For example, when Modern Farmhouse was trending, I could identify which elements fit my style and which didn’t. This awareness helps make better design decisions that reflect personal needs and desires.

[Small Changes to Reflect Trends]

You don't need a full renovation to reflect current trends. Small changes can shift the energy and feel of a space:

Repaint: Clean up scrapes and refresh the backdrop.
Get new towels: Add balance to color and texture.
Change out pillows: Refresh the space quickly and affordably.
Get plants: Real or fake, they add value and calm the nervous system.
Move things around: Reimagine how you use what you already have.
[Conclusion]

Trends can be a useful tool for examining and understanding ourselves. They can be a catalyst and inspiration for a life you enjoy now and in the future. Trends help identify what you need and serve those needs, allowing for growth and change over time.

Thank you so much for joining me in this discussion about trends. I would love to know how this affects you and how you see trends. Find me on social media and continue the conversation there. See you next time on Messy Designed Life. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out my online course, Room Revolution. All the links are in the show notes and on my website. Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring your messy, beautifully designed life.