Decadence and old-world vibrancy in opulent nostalgia design trends bring escapism and romance into the home. Guilt-free indulgences, retro colors and opulent textures give a modern, Art Nouveau effect that is maximal without straining the eye. For this trend we look at the Broadwick Soho hotel in London that is filled top to bottom with sumptuous and diverse retro styles. It feels both new and comforting. From the mirrored hexagon ceiling shimmering down on small leopard print chairs, to big geometric-patterned sofas to heavily patterned wallpapers on every floor—the details might not make sense until you look at whole rooms in their entirety. Playing with the scale of patterns and shapes in a cohesive, sometimes delicate and sometimes dramatic color palette arcs this look toward timeless chic.
Luxe of paisley prints, heirloom vases and raw linen napkins nod to a vintage Europe. Stores like Porta execute this style well with curated selections of antiques and modern pieces with embroidered tablecloths and keepsake dinnerware.
Features of Opulent Nostalgia in Design
Thick, stripe patterns in saturated midtones and pastels translate to wallpaper or placemats, and beaded embellishments edge curtains or pillows. Opalescent finishes on ceramics give a quiet shimmer juxtaposing elegantly against tactile textiles from complex tapestries to indulgent silks. Colors here are a retro remix of shabby chic neutrals and pastels alongside sultry chocolate browns and plums. Muted, powder pink and jade green make lovely accent colors, but can take center stage, as well. Scents to consider include rose and santal combinations, leather, chocolate, soft florals, cassis, pistachio, fresh mint over musk, cashmere and black tea. Design elements come to life with Art Nouveau curves, an infusion of keepsakes and heirlooms, opalescent and milky ceramics and glassware, revived tapestries, silks, and embroideries. A romantic maximalism is at play! Enjoy it.
Opulent Nostalgia Takes Over Design Trends in 2025
Ceramiche
From Statement Tiles’ Wow Glow collection, these midnight blue beauties will wow you and glow you up in equal measure. Work their nostalgia design into your next home project.
Antiquarian Shop
Modern History’s Costa Two Drawer Chest is available in 20 grass cloth options in various colors and patterns for the drawer fronts, or you can send in your own wallpaper for a completely custom option. That’s what we call bespoke perfection.
Brenda Friday Design
This clever decanter stands on its own, or stacks vertically with a twin.
Pictured Above
- Embroidered Paisley Pillow and Embroidered Sparrow Pillow from Otea Textiles.
- Gesture Vase Sky Blue and Ripple Vase Ultraviolet by Bombabird Ceramics.
- Vintage Napkins
- Vintage Crystal and Sterling Cartier Salt Cellars by Continuum Catalog.
Eddy Homes
When we asked about what’s hot for 2025 in home design, the team at local home builder Eddy Homes pulled together a palette of fresh, cooling, classic finishes for floors, cabinets, and surfaces. The brushed metal of the cabinet handle adds a ray of delicate warmth. The combo is not only for next year, but for many years to come.
Today’s Home
The Matteo sofa‘s rounded corners mix classic Italian lines and a ‘70s beat in the background. There’s more than enough comfort and style in this great piece to build a room around it.
Henne Jewelers
Satin hinged cuff bracelets with diamond clusters in 18-karat yellow and white gold mix the influences of Moghul-era India with a contemporary flair. Put this divine bling around your wrist and enjoy it for a lifetime.
Splash
The “Game On” collection by Michelle Gerson transforms simple shapes into dynamic fields of color and texture. She’s made five patterns—Spot-On, Slide, Zip, and Stix. All are available as mosaic or large format tile in multiple sizes.
Natalia Dragunova, Notion Design
A luxurious breath of fresh air came into our studio when Natalia Dragunova unfurled a green floral wallpaper from Carl Robinson. She supported this anchoring choice mostly with opulent neutrals, warmed with touches of gold leaf and honeyed bronze. We’d linger over breakfast in a kitchen like this every day of the year.
Pictured Above Clockwise From Top left
- Sherbourn Wallpaper from Carl Robinson.
- Avery cabinet style from WalzCraft in custom color from Lakeside Casework.
- Pila fabric in grass green from Allure.
- Walnut butcher-block from John Boos & Co.
- Burnham hardware collection from Top Knobs in honey bronze.
- Motor City Circles tile in polished Bianco Dolomiti from Artistic Tile.
- Maji fabric in polar from S. Harris.
- Gold leaf finish for lighting by Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting.
- Calacatta Aquilea quartz countertop from Wilsonart.
Story by Stephen Treffinger, Abbey Cook and Keith Recker / Principal Photography by Dave Bryce / Principal Styling by Danny Mankin and Keith Recker
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