The influence of Elizabeth Gilbert’s literary travelogue, “Eat Pray Love,” now a movie starring Julia Roberts, continues to spread. It’s impacting fall home decor by increasing sales of imports as home accents, according to local designers and national trend reports.
While not everyone can fly off to Italy, India or Indonesia in search of spiritual renewal, anyone can bring a sense of well-being into thehome by choosing comforting decor.
Hank Matheny, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers and owner of Haskell Interiors in Cleveland, Tenn., attributes the popularity of the “Eat Pray Love” look, in part, to increased Internet use making global influences easily accessible.
“The Internet has made the world smaller, and designers and homeowners are influenced by trends and motifs worldwide. I’m seeing a lot of influence from designs from Indonesia and Bali,” Matheny said.
“The home furnishings industry has definitely taken a turn toward imports,” said Marsha Yessick ASID member and owner of Yessick’s Design Center. “China had more influence at first, but now we’re seeing more from India,”
The “Eat Pray Love” look is rich in jewel-tone colors and heavy on embellishment. Luxurious embroidery is the common thread among accessories such as sofa or floor pillows and on window treatments in luxe fabrics.
“We’re seeing rich colors and embroidered panels at market,” said Yessick of emerging window treatments. “Panels frame the window, one on each side, installed on a wooden pole or iron rod.”
Aimee Harden, manager of Pier 1 Imports at Hamilton Place, said embellished pillows and curtains are popular year-round locally, but the company has seen an upswing in sales of imported mirrors.
“We have done a phenomenal business this year in mirrors. There is one called Bali Spice that is brown with a gold overlay that is popular. We also have a rose-red tufted rug from India that has done phenomenally,” Harden said.
Yessick suggests trying the look in “small doses,” such as an accessory or two to see how it fits your taste before committing to a total room redecoration.
“Everything about the design is full of life, exuberance and abundance,” Matheny said. “I love the joyful colors that are native to Indonesia.
“Since we are trying to come out of this recession, I’m seeing that people are wanting happy colors, some fun and frivolity again. It’s a look that’s optimistic with an exuberance of pattern,” he said.
Susan Palmer Pierce is a reporter and columnist in the Life department. She began her journalism career as a summer employee 1972 for the News Free Press, typing bridal announcements and photo captions. She became a full-time employee in 1980, working her way up to feature writer, then special sections editor, then Lifestyle editor in 1995 until the merge of the NFP and Times in 1999. She was honored with the 2007 Chattanooga Woman of ...
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