Are you captivated by the bold and unconventional aesthetic propagated by style icon Iris Apfel? If the answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place! Deciphering Apfel’s maximalist style—one that champions ‘more is more’—might seem like a challenging task. However, with this guide, you can spruce up your home with elements that reflect this extraordinary design.
At 100 years old, Iris Apfel continues to influence fashion and design with her maximalist philosophy. In a world that’s moving towards minimalism, her vibrant and unique aesthetic reminds us of the joy that can be found in blending colours, patterns, and textures.
Venture into maximalism as we decode this vibrant style and learn how to infuse it into our homes. This isn’t just about decorating; it’s about discovering a form of self-expression that resonates with your vibrant tastes.
1. **Embrace Colors and Patterns**
As the adage goes, the traditional path is always the safer option. But with Iris’ style, we’re compelled to take a risk and fully embrace vivid colors and daring patterns. A hodgepodge of radiant hues, clashing patterns, and diverse textures—it’s all about the eclectic and the insatiable. Opt for colorful wallpaper, patterned curtains, multicolored rugs, and upholstered furniture if you really want your home to reflect the maximalist soul within you.
2. **Vintage Charm is the Deal**
When it comes to emulating Iris’s style, think retro. Vintage, yet eternally chic pieces add that dose of individuality to your space. Hunt for some funky, distinctive memorabilia, vintage photo frames, and unique decor pieces to enhance the artistic appeal of your home.
3. **Spruce Up the Walls.**
The humble wall becomes a canvas for your maximalist fantasies when you’re following Iris’s style. Adorn your walls with art pieces, photographs, mirrors, or even porcelain plates for a gallery-esque backdrop. The key is not to fret about symmetry or matching. Emphasizing variation could bring delight and surprise at every corner.
4. **Eclectic Furniture Choices**
When it comes to furniture selection, maximalism implies no limits. Consider every piece as a potential work of art. Combining chairs from different eras or coupling an antique table with modern stools—the aim is to balance and celebrate differences rather than matching every piece.
5. **Play with Textures and Material**
Think of the dichotomy of a rugged wooden coffee table and a plush velvet sofa in the same space! Exposing such contrasting textures is a primal aspect of the maximalist style. Also, materials such as glass, metal, and ceramics can create a multilayered visual spectacle within your space.
6. **Say Yes to Over-the-Top Lighting**
Overly embellished suspensions, ornate table lamps, or grand chandeliers—maximalist style makes no compromise when it comes to lighting fixtures. The more unorthodox they are, the more Iris-inspired your ambience becomes!
7. **Showcase Your Personal Collections**
One of the standout elements of Iris’s design ethos is her fearless display of personal collections. Whether it’s a collection of jade statues, unusual globes, or vintage hats, nothing is ever hidden away. Everything loved and collected has its own story to tell, thus, it deserves its spot around the house.
8. **Go Green**
Even in Iris’s maximalism, nature finds its special place. Whether it’s embracing houseplants or using natural, organic textures and materials, there’s always room for a green nook. This not only adds freshness but also, quite literally, brings life into your interiors.
In essence, maximalism à la Iris Apfel is all about uncompromising individuality, colossal bravery, and an exquisite sense of whimsy. It’s a testament to the notion that our homes should be an extension of who we are—dynamic, adventurous, and fearlessly expressive. Remember, in a maximalist world, there’s no such thing as excessive, only exceptionally vibrant! So, go big or go home, after all, as per Iris,
“more is more and less is a bore!”
