TL;DR
Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
Livingetc’s Style Pulse report for SS27 identifies the “decorative gesture”: one ornamental or unexpected detail placed in an otherwise contemporary interior. Designers quoted in the report say such accents can add contrast, finish a room and make it feel more personal, though the trend is presented as design guidance rather than a tested rule.
Livingetc’s SS27 Style Pulse report identifies the “decorative gesture” as one way to add an ornamental or unexpected detail to a largely contemporary room. Drawing on comments from interior designer Ryan Saghian and other design professionals, the report describes the accent as a means of introducing contrast and personality without changing a room’s overall style.
Examples in the report include a tassel on a light fitting, fringe or a frill on a sofa, a gilded frame in a minimalist space, and an ornate brass handle paired with veined marble. The examples illustrate the concept rather than provide a prescribed shopping list: a single feature stands out because it differs from the surrounding room.
Saghian says he looks for elements that challenge their surroundings rather than making every object match. “I think the best interiors have a little contradiction in them,” he says. He describes how an object that might seem out of place on its own can contribute to a room when placed in context.
Marisa Gutmacher, senior vice president of design at Samuel & Sons, describes finishing details as a way to make a design feel resolved. She says a detail can add visual weight or connect upholstery with the space around it. The report also highlights passementerie—decorative trims such as tassels, cords and braids—as a craft used in contemporary settings, including as an accent on lighting or mirrors.
How One Accent Changes a Room
The report describes a relatively small-scale way to introduce ornament into interiors: add one contrasting detail rather than replacing a modern scheme with traditional furnishings. This approach is presented as an option for people who prefer clean-lined rooms but want to introduce texture, history or individuality.
The article treats ornament as selective rather than all-or-nothing. A tassel, unusual frame or antique object can introduce a different period or material without determining the rest of the decor. Designers’ comments address the potential role of placement and contrast; they do not establish that a single accent will improve every room.
The focus on trims also highlights craft and personalization. Elizabeth Ashdown, a UK passementerie maker quoted in the report, says a trim can be designed for a particular room. The report does not provide cost comparisons or practical advice on sourcing and installation.
Popular right now
De'Longhi 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine with Milk Frother & Temperature Control
Sony BRAVIA 5 85-Inch Mini LED 4K HDR Smart TV (K-85XR50)
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, Almond Cream
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From Traditional Trim to Modern Rooms
Livingetc places the trend within a broader move toward traditional ornament and decorative detail, which it says can create a tension for people drawn to contemporary interiors. The report proposes introducing an ornamental feature while retaining modern design. Its examples span furnishings, lighting and hardware.
The article emphasizes passementerie, the craft of producing decorative trimmings and edgings. It says tassels and related details, once associated mainly with traditional interiors, are now being used in more contemporary settings. Ashdown describes the practice as a craft with a long history and says she is among a small number of independent makers working in the UK. The article also notes that she designed Samuel & Sons’ Kaleidoscope collection and received awards for her work.
The feature is part of Livingetc’s Style Pulse for SS27, which the publication describes as a twice-yearly report on interior trends for the upcoming season. It also references examples and design observations from 2026. The material is a trend report and expert commentary, not a survey measuring how widely the look has been adopted.
“I think the best interiors have a little contradiction in them.”
— Ryan Saghian, Los Angeles-based interior designer
How Broad the Trend Will Be
The report identifies a design direction but does not establish how many homeowners or designers are adopting it, how long the look may last or how its popularity compares with other styles. Its examples and quotes are editorial selections rather than a representative survey.
The report also does not specify how a particular decorative gesture might suit an individual room. It offers examples and design opinions but no rules for choosing scale, placement, materials or budget. The effect will depend on the item and its relationship to the room, as reflected in the designers’ comments about contrast and context.
More SS27 Trend Coverage
Livingetc presents the decorative gesture as one part of its SS27 Style Pulse report and directs readers to its wider seasonal coverage. Other examples in the report may show how the publication addresses ornament, material and contrast across different types of interiors. The article’s examples describe adding one detail that contrasts with a room’s existing elements, rather than undertaking a full redesign.
Key Questions
What does “decorative gesture” mean in this report?
It means adding one ornamental or unexpected feature to a room, such as a tassel on a light, a fringed edge or an ornate frame in a modern space.
Does the idea require a traditional interior?
No. Livingetc presents the gesture as a way to bring ornament into a contemporary room without changing its overall style.
What is passementerie?
Passementerie is the craft of making decorative trims and edgings, including tassels, cords and braids. The report describes its use in contemporary interiors as well as traditional ones.
Is the trend supported by survey data?
The source is a seasonal trend report with examples and expert comments. It does not provide survey data showing how widely the look is being used.
Source: livingetc.com
