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Call it nostalgia or a rebellion against the clean functionality of minimalism, but romantic, decorative textiles are having a moment. We’re indulging in all the trimmings: think, bed linens edged with ruffles; eyelet or broderie anglaise trims; and napkins, placemats, and tablecloths adorned with intricate lace and embroidery.
If you think you’ve been seeing more and more of these dainty styles sneaking onto your social feeds and saturating shops, it’s not in your head. Sales of these ultra-feminine accents have doubled at the homeware site Abask in the last year, according to a rep for the brand, with the biggest growth seen in white-on-white pieces, heritage-inspired detailing, and—yes—ruffles. Earlier this summer, Danish textile brand Tekla launched an entire bedding collection spotlighting broderie anglaise. Could our renewed love of delicate home textiles reflect a wider sartorial fascination with lace-trimmed skirts, doily-like crochet headwear, and dresses that wouldn’t look out of place in the Victorian era–or is something else at play?
“I think people are craving a gentler aesthetic,” says Laila Gohar, artist and co-founder of Gohar World, whose playful embroidered and lace-appliquéd table linens were inspired by her childhood in Egypt. “Every design movement, whether in fashion or interiors, is a reaction to what came before it. A few years ago, it was all about the clean, sleek lines of Scandinavian minimalism. Now, there’s a yearning for things that feel like precious, handmade heirlooms. Lace fits into that nicely.”
Kate Cox of HÁM Interiors also believes this movement marks a shift towards pieces that feel homespun: “The sign of the maker’s hand brings a sense of craftsmanship and calm, which people really appreciate,” she explains. “These details offer a softness and imperfection that work well in homes that feel lived-in, rather than overly modern or polished.” These textile techniques are deeply steeped in history—for example, the earliest known examples of embroidery date back to 30,000 B.C. Perhaps it really is that simple: In a world increasingly shaped by tech and AI, why not gravitate towards objects that feel crafted and a little old school?
“For me, being able to help preserve and celebrate this kind of craftsmanship–often in danger of disappearing–is a real luxury,” says the interior designer Marta de La Rica, who weaves these fabrics throughout her richly layered interiors: “I love using them because they evoke a nostalgic, feminine mood where detail takes centre stage.” As a Spaniard, she is especially inspired by the embroidery traditions of Lagartera, a small village in central Spain’s Toledo, where the craft dates back to medieval and Renaissance times. “The technique, the symbolism, the sheer level of detail… it all moves me deeply.”
So, how to emulate the look in your own home, without going full frou-frou and veering into ’80s Laura Ashley territory? The key is balance and simplicity. Cox suggests juxtaposing these linens with grounding, natural materials like timber, stone or aged brass–that way, frills feel fresh, rather than fussy. Alice Moyland, designer and creative director of ruffled lampshade brand Beauvamp, similarly uses the romantic detailing as a soft counterpoint in spaces dominated by clean lines or harder surfaces for an element of surprise: “Subtlety is key,” she says. Her pieces, which take inspiration from the Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Art Nouveau glass lampshades, look especially compelling over a sleek dining space or brutalist coffee table.
You could also look for textiles that themselves use embroidery in unexpected ways—like Tekla’s delicate stitched bedding done in a sleek, geometric border, or surrealist glove motifs hand-appliquéd onto a set of napkins à la Gohar world. Lucy Bathurst, founder of Nest Design, likes to add ruffles to curtain edges and lace on linen voile blinds in many of her commercial (including London’s Spring restaurant) and domestic projects: “We apply the lace in abstract geometric shapes, a bit like a Mondrian piece, which plays off the window glazing and view behind,” she explains. “Placing it in this horizontal and vertical framework offsets a lot of the femininity and frill, while adding a softness to the space–without feeling too ye olde.”
Done in small doses, this trend is a great way to make even the smallest parts of your home feel fun. It’s a rule Gohar swears by: “Use your nice linens every day,” she emphasizes. “No need to save them for special occasions—every day is special.”
From bedding and scatter cushions to lampshades, shower curtains, and tableware, the beauty of this detailing is its versatility. Below, shop our edit of some of the best pieces to peruse now.
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