Modern decor and design have moved towards simplicity. The thought goes that the more we move towards a minimalistic look, our house feels more natural. But certainly, minimalistic doesn’t only mean plain blocks or generic solid colors. Indian block print cushion covers would seem anathema to this minimilistic look, even with the recent move towards interior design looks from the 70s. But what if we could go back even further. Let’s say ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia or more accurately Jaipur, Rajasthan. No, I won’t ask you to design your whole living space around an Indian-themed restaurant. What I’m about to tell you is a four-thousand-year-old art that for some reason flew past our radar until now. 

What is on a charcuterie board? You must have been to a friend’s wedding reception and seen the server walking around with a flat, oddly-shaped piece of wood with a bunch of meats and cheeses on top. Have you ever been to, say, a company’s luncheon and witnessed your co-workers’ hesitation to choose a food item? And when the server finally approached you and set the flat piece of wood before your eyes, did you recognize every meat and bread on its surface?

You’ve probably never asked yourself “What is on a charcuterie board?” but that’s most likely because you’ve never had to think about it until it was in front of your face, filled with a colorful array of food. What is commonly known as a “cheese board” or “party platter” has been around since the 15th century, originating in France where butcher shops used every part of the meat to sell to buyers. Often seen in social gatherings and events, charcuterie boards (pronounced “shar-koo-tr-ee”), whose name means “pork butcher’s shop,” have become popular today because they offer a variety of delicacies that differ in taste, texture, and consistency.

Being quarantined for most of 2020 has had a massive impact on home decor trends in 2021. Being bound to our houses made us all realize that we have been too focused only on functionality, and less on how our homes make us feel. This is just one of the reasons why one of the ultimate rules for styling your home in 2021 is eclecticism - mixing unique styles that will genuinely portray your personality and tell stories on their own. Another significant comeback that is here to stay, is the golden rule “Less is a bore”, as a response to a decade of minimalism that has ruled in homes all over the globe. Now that you don’t necessarily need to think about your home looking decluttered completely, with only essential furniture, and a dominant neutral color palette, here are some home decor trends you can consider implementing in your home in the following months of 2021.

What is the Japandi design? Well, it is a genius attempt to connect two at first sight very different cultures – Japanese and Scandinavian. At first glance these two cultures have almost nothing in common but people have recognized their great connection when it comes to interior design.

The first thing that must pop in your mind when you think about Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics must be their simplicity, functionality and minimalism. That is exactly what it is. Next to the things they have in common, both styles brought their special secret. In Japandi design you will find the Nordic way of creating a cozy and warm atmosphere. While on the other hand the Japanese brought in their sense on finding beauty in imperfection especially when it comes to the decorative items.

What lies in the core of the Japandi design is the balance that is brought in by using neutral color palette.