The death of the sterile interior: why vintage is back

You have probably scrolled past a dozen flawless interiors this week. Every edge is rounded, every surface is smooth, and each object looks like it rolled off the same factory line. They are beautiful, sure, but something feels missing. A sense of history, maybe. A feeling that someone actually lives there. Designers have noticed it too, and the numbers show they are answering with something old.

One of the best examples sits on the shore of Lake Como. George Clooney bought Villa Oleandra, an 18th-century property in the village of Laglio, in 2002 for a reported $7.5 million. Over the years it has grown into a compound with around 25 rooms, landscaped gardens, and ornately carved ceilings. The house has had its share of the spotlight, hosting the wedding of Emily Blunt and John Krasinski in 2010. It even made a scene-stealing appearance in The Devil Wears Prada 2 this year.

The living room that refuses to match

Inside, the villa is the opposite of a showroom. As Homes & Gardens points out, the living room is built on damask walls, dark wood, and gilded frames. The palette is deep blue and gold, echoing the house’s Southern European history. A pair of Art Deco chairs and a sofa in warm ochre tones complete a room that looks collected over generations rather than ordered from a catalog.

Nothing matches perfectly, and that is the point. Every piece seems to carry a past. The room feels layered, warm, and above all, lived in. This is not an accidental aesthetic. It is a deliberate rejection of the cold, sterile perfection that dominated design for the last decade.

The data behind the vintage shift

The Clooneys are not alone in this preference. In its annual survey of 468 interior designers worldwide, released in November 2025, 1stDibs found that designers sourced an average of 36% vintage or antique items per project in 2025. That is the highest proportion since 2021. The share of designers using pieces made before 1920 rose from 56% to 63%.

The same survey points in a clear direction for 2026. Maximalism was named a top requested style by 39% of designers. Chocolate brown was cited as the top trending color by 33%. In other words, richer, darker, and more personal rooms. Designers are not stumbling into this by accident. They are reaching for the past because the present feels too clean.

Marble effect and the illusion of luxury

While some are digging into antique markets, others are looking for a different kind of texture. Tiles have become more than just a practical covering for floors and walls. Home owners are increasingly paying attention to the colors, patterns, and textures of the tiles they choose. One style attracting attention is the marble-effect tile, known for its distinctive veins and elegant patterns.

These tiles can give a room a sophisticated appearance without overwhelming the rest of the decor. Whether used on the floor, walls, kitchen, or bathroom, the right tile can completely change the appearance of a home. Neutral shades such as cream, grey, brown, or white make it easier to combine the tiles with different furniture colors. For those who prefer a more dramatic appearance, tiles with prominent veins can serve as a major feature while the furniture remains simple.

From bathrooms to kitchens

Bathrooms do not have to be plain or boring. The right tiles can turn an ordinary bathroom into a more attractive and relaxing space. Marble-effect tiles can be used on both the floor and walls to create a coordinated appearance. Lighter shades may also help the bathroom appear brighter, particularly when combined with good lighting and simple fittings. However, homeowners should consider the texture and suitability of the tile for wet areas before making a choice.

The kitchen is another area where tiles can make a noticeable difference. Instead of limiting tiles to the floor, homeowners can use patterned or marble effect tiles as a backsplash behind the cooker or sink. This introduces color and texture without covering the entire kitchen in a bold pattern. For kitchens with simple cabinets, a veined tile can also serve as a decorative feature and create a more modern appearance.

The human element in smart tech

Even in the world of smart technology, there is a push for reliability and human fallbacks. Ring’s new smart lock addresses a real weakness in the device category with a hand-powered energy dial. The lock supports PIN, fingerprint scanning, Alexa, and the Ring app to unlock. But the standout feature is the manual fallback that can’t lock you out.

Imagine coming home from an extended vacation, only to find that your smart lock’s battery died while you were gone. Instead of carrying a physical key in an emergency, you can turn the dial on the external smart lock body until the pad lights up to enter your PIN or scan your fingerprint. Once you get inside, you can pop out the lock’s Quick Release Ultra battery pack and recharge it at home. This is a small detail, but it reflects a broader desire for technology that serves us, rather than trapping us.