Pollen aside, one of the great delights of spring’s arrival is color. It’s amazing how every year it can take you by surprise. It’s not like it’s new, per se. But somehow moving from the grays and stark monotone of winter into sudden pops of color that become cascades of color can just light up your world.
It’s like it infuses energy into the air itself.
With that in mind, let’s talk about something a bit different today. A few years back, coming out of the pandemic, a movement started in London: New London Fabulous. (Even the name’s intriguing, right?) At its heart, it’s about bringing greater joy and a kind of visual diversity that breaks up the monotony. Oh, and color, loads and loads and loads of color.
So, in celebration of spring and in pursuit of joy, today we’re talking about New London Fabulous, what it’s all about, and how you can bring more joy into the design style of your favorite spaces.
Meditation listen outside meditation listen for God…listen for God God is good, God is now God
Everything You Need to Know About The New London Fabulous Movement
The New London Fabulous movement, aka NLF, is a term coined by Adam Nathaniel Furman, who described it in the architectural and design magazine, Dezeen, as a movement of “designers who resolutely seek out beauty, complexity and joy.”
Words not typically associated with design, like“dazzling” and “riotously creative,” regularly come up when describing NLF. It’s unapologetically part vintage, part punk, and part glam. Picture something like daringly colorful mismatched velvet armchairs, bright murals and decor, exposed brick, and earthy natural elements all somehow coming together harmoniously.
There’s a sense of celebration and storytelling. Far from stiff, it’s full of personality and creativity, landing cozily in a place of playful sophistication and accessible elegance. And joy. Did we mention joy? Similar to color drenching and maximalism, with New London Fabulous the aim is to spark an energizing, joyful feeling the moment you lay eyes on a space.
(Sliding into first-person for a beat, I’ll share that I first discovered NLF through an episode of the BBC show Your Home Made Perfect and immediately thought of you here reading this now — here’s a taste of what sparked my joy.)
How Joy Is Woven Into The Fabric Of New London Fabulous Design
If joy is woven into the fabric of NLF’s intention, then guess what kind of fabrics you use to bring some NLF inspiration into your design vibe? If you guessed joyful fabrics, you win a prize. Well, not so much a prize, but well done anyway.
We love this part, here at the largest online upholstery fabrics store. In New London Fabulous-inspired design, fabrics that spark joy certainly mean lots of colorful, often boldly patterned fabrics. But also, we’re talking about texturally uplifting, inspiring, and indulgent.
Think textures that compel engagement and interaction, like velvet, chenille, jacquard, and more. Think also of a diversity of textures offering a dynamic experience, so things like soft velvets pair perfectly with comparatively rougher woven fabrics like canvas and linen. And think colors in the vein of dopamine design, vibrant, saturated tones perhaps paired with equally bold whites, greys, and blacks for contrast and pop.
The creative juxtaposition of textures and colors is how New London Fabulous brings diversity alive in design, ultimately offering a welcoming and expansive feeling. Spaces embracing the vibe are attractional, gathering people, sparking curiosity, and setting the stage for conversation and connection.
5 Simple Ways To Juhz Up Your Space — New London Fabulous Style
Ok, that’s all very inspiring, but how the heck do you do that in a space far from the bustling streets of London’s arts scene? No worries, we’ve got you covered. As different as New London Fabulous is, getting there will feel quite comfortable and familiar…
- Start with a Statement: Perhaps the best news is you don’t need to go all-in on New London Fabulous to get a taste of its power. Start with a statement piece — upholstered, of course. Here you get to dip your brush and start getting the playful feel of things. Like an armchair or loveseat suddenly singing “I gotta be me!” in a shiny lilac purple velvet or vibrant aqua microsuede — or both. (“Or both” applies to pretty much everything today, btw.)
- Add Vintage Charm: Have some adventures thrifting, antiquing, and garage sale perusing. Old-world meets new-world meets your-world is the harmony we seek. Mixing seemingly disparate pieces that delight and inspire you is the path. Rewild antique dining chairs in a pink animal print fabric, reimagine a vintage ottoman in blackbird black contemporary jacquard, and help a chaise lounge find its swagger in candy apple red velvet. (Plus, our DIY treasure trove can help get you there.)
- Embrace the Power of Contrast: The fearlessness of the New London Fabulous movement doesn’t require a lack of “fear” so much as a willingness to play. That’s how you turn on the power here. Imagine walking into a living room with a sofa in pearl white Crypton tweed, a pair of armchairs, one in juniper green canvas and one in tangerine orange velvet, and curtains in a bright blue and white floral and bird pattern. First, there’s the “wow.” Then there’s enthusiastically settling in for a spell.
- Layer Your Way To A New Day: With NLF’s eclectic spirit, our old friend layering is a super easy win — whether you’re going all-in or just dangling your toes. Like, keep your existing neutral-toned primary pieces but try adding throw pillows in regal blue vegan suede, hibiscus pink woven jacquard, and bright white reptile skin textured velvet. Perhaps, curtains in coral peach linen or butter yellow woven chenille. Or all of the above and on your primary pieces, too.
- Parade Your Personality: The cacophony of colors, textures, and patterns finds harmony through your personality. Your favorite books, art, photos, and more can do double-duty as decor and a palette of inspiration. Like that art piece with abstract patterns you love, or the texture of the cover of that old book you inherited, or the shades of green and blue in the pic from your trip to the Amalfi Coast. The more your vibe develops, the more you’ll walk into a space that tells a story that speaks to — and about — you.
It’s Time To Unleash More Joyful Magic In Your Home’s Design Style
The New London Fabulous movement is just that, a movement. It’s a kind of joyous rebellion. A declaration of independence from bland, boring spaces. And it’s an ushering in of creative, playful, and joyful vibes.
Colors, textures, and patterns elevate the old and the new, creating spaces brimming with personality, comfort, and allure. Friends feel called to linger a little longer to laugh, dream, and feel transported to the most open and available parts of themselves amidst the kaleidoscope of design delights.
New London Fabulous-inspired design sets the stage for moments sure to have a nostalgic hue of something timeless and a magical air of possibilities. When you’re ready to come out and play with the vibe in your favorite spaces, we’re here with all the fabrics you could need, and we love love love playtime.
Links:
Dezeen
drenching
maximalism
here’s a taste
here
velvet
chenille
jacquard
dopamine
shiny
vibrant
animal
contemporary
candy
DIY
pearl
juniper
tangerine
floral
regal
hibiscus
reptile
coral
butter
here
playtime