Our Favourite Pinterest Trends of the Past Year /001
Our Favourite Pinterest Trends of the Past Year /001
The chic return of blue eye shadow; sleek and sophisticated stainless steel; eclectic kitschy kitchens, and cafécore
Do you use Pinterest? We actually don't use it as often as we'd like, despite having over 10 million monthly views. Yet, when we do have a moment, it's perfect for finding inspiration—whether for travel outfits or holiday décor. TIG readers have been pinning our content since the platform's launch in 2009, which explains the impressive monthly views. While we don't spend extensive time browsing, we do like the trend forecasts. This week, we're highlighting some of our favourites: the chic revival of blue eyeshadow, the enduring appeal of silver metals and chrome, and more…
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HEAVY METAL
Stainless steel plays a significant role in modern interior design, its practicality and versatility making it a perfect choice for designers to use in a wide range of applications in residential, commercial, and public spaces. The material is a fixture of contemporary kitchen design, used in refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and other appliances that benefit from its sleek shine and resistance to corrosion.
The above paragraph comes from a feature on stainless steel I wrote for TIG last year, as part of our Design History series. We're including it here because “Hot Metals” is the first Pinterest trend we're exploring today.
According to the platform: “Cool silver tones and bold chrome are resonating right now. Melty metallics will make their way into the mainstream in 2024 as people trade in their trusty neutrals for something a bit more hardcore. Gen Z and Millennials are driving this heavy metal aesthetic.”
We adore the aesthetic in its most elegant iterations: sleek end tables in the living room, and gleaming tea sets and cookware in the kitchen. Whether you're contemplating a stainless steel kitchen renovation or simply seeking metallic nail art, “hot metals” is a sophisticated trend that will be around for a very long time.
Stainless Steel Curved Side Table by Kristina Dam Studio / Alessi Convivio stainless steel casserole pot (2.7l) / Alessi La Cintura di Orione stainless steel pot / Alessi two-handles steel casserole / Ralph Lauren Home Wyatt metal-leather tea set / Seletti x Diesel cutlery (set of four)1
BLUE EYESHADOW
Blue eyeshadow first became popular in the 1960s, largely due to the mod fashion movement2 and makeup icons like Twiggy. The bright, bold blue eye makeup was a hallmark of the era's dramatic makeup style. Its origins, however, can be traced back even further—to ancient Egypt—where blue eye makeup was used as early as 3000 BCE, though this was more for cultural and spiritual reasons rather than fashion. In the 1920s and 1930s, there were some early experimental uses of blue eyeshadow in theatrical and film makeup, but the true mainstream popularity exploded in the 1960s, with the rise of pop art, space-age fashion, and youth culture.
The trend continued strong through the 1970s and early 1980s, becoming particularly associated with disco and glam rock aesthetics. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, blue eyeshadow had become somewhat of a fashion faux pas, often associated with dated makeup looks.
In recent years, blue eyeshadow has been making a comeback, with more nuanced and sophisticated applications compared to its previous iterations. According to Pinterest, “Aquamarine make-up is back and bolder than ever. In 2024, Gen Z and Millennials will search for ‘blue glam make-up’ and ‘pastel blue eyeshadow’3 as they find ways to incorporate this 60s staple into their modern beauty routines. The best part? This blue hue looks striking on all skin tones.”
Blue eyeshadow is actually remarkably versatile in that it can be adapted for various looks, from bold and dramatic to soft and subtle. Electric blue creates dramatic impact—perfect for evenings out or special occasions. For those seeking a more approachable look, pastel blue offers a fresh alternative that works beautifully for everyday wear. The sultry option of smokey blue, artfully blended with darker shades of black or grey, creates a sexy evening aesthetic. For minimal commitment to the trend, a simple stroke of blue eyeliner adds an unexpected twist to your usual makeup routine. And when the occasion calls for extra drama, a touch of glitter transforms basic blue into a dazzling, party-ready statement perfect for the holidays.
Should you find a full sweep of blue eyeshadow (in any shade) rather intimidating, why not experiment with a subtle stroke of blue eyeliner? Since embracing my 'less is more' philosophy, I've discovered this understated approach to be the most wearable interpretation of the trend. Next time, I'd like to try tracing blue eyeliner solely along the lower lash line—a technique that creates a particularly chic, graphic effect.
CAFÉCORE
While this trend has been circulating for several years now, a dedicated coffee corner—or café station, if you prefer—feels less like a trend and more like a necessity, particularly for us, seeing as that first sip of coffee is one of the things I look forward to most about mornings. Especially with our current set-up, with our fancy German hand-grinder and our Italian espresso machine, creating a thoughtful space seems only natural.
According to Pinterest, it’s over for bar carts as “…at-home coffee stations will become the new way to espresso yourself. Boomers and Gen X will bring the coffee shop vibe inside, searching for everything from ‘café chalkboard’ aesthetic and ‘coffee station décor’ to ‘coffee bar styling’”.
8 oz handmade ceramic coffee mug with handle / ceramic matcha bowl
KITSCHY KITCHENS
The word kitsch refers to art, objects, or design that is considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way. The term originated in the 1860s-1870s in Germany and became widespread in the 1930s to describe mass-produced art and decor that was seen as cheap, tacky, or overly sentimental. However, kitsch has evolved to become more complex in modern culture, and can be used deliberately in high fashion and art as commentary. It can be appreciated genuinely for its nostalgic value and celebrated for its authenticity in being unashamedly artificial or sentimental, even viewed as a form of pop art or camp aesthetic.
According to Pinterest, “This year, Gen X and Boomers will spruce up their cooking areas with thrifted finds, vintage appliances and jarring pops of paint. No minimalist aesthetic is safe”. Not certain why I included this trend on this list, as I’ve long filed brightly painted rooms as What I Think I Like vs What I Actually Like, and yet, the pink looks awfully tempting (but perhaps doesn’t qualify as ‘jarring pops of paint’?)
Serax Fish and Fish carafe and glasses (set of 4) / Les-Ottomans Stars plates (set of four) / Les-Ottomans Fruit porcelain jug / Polspotten Grandpa porcelain teacups (set of four) / Polspotten Legacy tea set (set of 4) / Polspotten Bubbles and Bottles decorative bottles (set of 4) / Serax medium Cactus vase
Bisous,
instagram / pinterest / shopmy
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Cleaning: Use a mixture of white vinegar and olive oil, or dish soap and baby oil for regular cleaning. Club soda in a spray bottle is also effective.
Polishing: To keep stainless steel shiny, use a stainless steel cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water. Always wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid streaks.
The Mod fashion movement was a subculture that began in London in the late 1950s and spread throughout Britain and other countries. The term "mod" is short for "modernist" and refers to the style's minimalist aesthetic, clean lines, and geometric shapes. Mods were a group of young people who dressed smartly and well-tailored in a rebellion against the conservative style of their parents.
Other searches include ‘blue eyeshadow aesthetic’ and ‘aqua make-up look’