Back to "Cocooning?

Attended the opening of Macy's (Field's) trend house and I was surprised! I expected to see was contemporary design. What I saw reminded me of 1920's Hollywood--louche and dark. The 71st Annual Trend House at Macy is designed around the theme of "cosmopolitan oasis." Seven spaces—entryway, living room, dining room, boudoir, office, bedroom and patio—were designed by Martin O'Connor and Amy Hinck of Macy's Interior Design Studio. Deep reds, shimmery beiges and golds with touches of the orient were key motifs. I talked to the designer, Martin, after the preview, and told him I had expected to find Louise Brooks lounging in one of the rooms. He laughed and said I should have been there the day before when he was wearing his Louise Brooks t-shirt as he put the finishing touches on the rooms.

The trendist, Faith Popcorn, first coined the trend, "cocooning," back in the early 1980's, to describe the need to insulate, protect ourselves from the environment. At the turn of the Millenium, her trend evolved to "Hiving," where home became the center of all busy activity....like a bee hive. With times being what they are today--are we returning to the cocoon?

I couldn't find pix of the trend house online, but I found a picture from a famous 1920's Manhattan apartment, which gives a good feeling for the design at Macy's.

All of the showhouse's furnishings hail from the Baker Studio Collection (a favorite of my old pal Ron). House remains open through September 2009.