I’ll never forget the hubbub that erupted around Domino’s then visuals director Meghan McNeer’s book pile when we first shared it in 2019. The haphazard mega-stack was so controversial that McNeer felt compelled to write a defense of her decorating choice. Hot takes can get, well, heated! So I’m curious what you’ll think of this round of design debates that have been top of mind for our recent Home Front guest editors. I would love it if you’d reply to this email with your point of view—I read every one!

—Lindsey Mather, digital director

Contributor Julia Stevens's apartment is ever-changing. Photography by Belle Morizio; Styling by Julia Stevens

Instant Makeovers

“Instant” makeovers are making it hard for people to understand what it really takes to turn a house into a home. In the past, I’ve tried giving a space one, but it never truly feels personal. Some of the best homes are designed and developed over time, as the people who live in them grow and evolve. —Arvin Olano, content creator

The distinctive shower in a recent Brownstone Boys project. Photography by Nick Glimenakis

Trend Chasing

The growing divide between authenticity and trend chasing is one of the biggest conversations we need to have. As the design world becomes more accessible and trends shift faster, we worry we’re losing sight of what’s truly personal. It’s easy to follow what’s popular, but the best spaces—the ones that stand the test of time—are created when you honor what’s meaningful to you, even if it’s not “on trend.” We’re all for a design philosophy that prioritizes timeless over trendy, and we need to get back to that balance. —Barry Bordelon and Jordan Slocum, The Brownstone Boys

A Delft tile–trimmed threshold by Buchanan Studio. Photography by Alicia Waite

Should you shy away from using a timeless, natural material because it has become trendy? I get asked this a lot as we see things like Delft tile and brass finishes getting popular. My stance is that they will always have a place in our work. Trends will come and go, and people will stop saturating the market with those images, but materials that have a place in history will never go out of style. —Heidi Caillier, interior designer

Westman’s New York City pop-up shop. Courtesy of Kate Fatseas

...But Also Trend Avoidance

What’s really “accepted” in the design world right now is either vintage finds, classics, or very expensive objects that can be considered art. I would love it if we open up to new creative brands in the design world, design that captures the time we are living in without having to cost a million to buy. —Gustaf Westman, product designer

Designer Michael Hilal’s Judd bar for St. Vincents. Courtesy of ST. VINCENTS

Who Gets to Do a Brand Collaboration

It’s worth debating the diversity in design collaborations. I feel a sense of the big retailers rotating the same designers, and I believe that there are so many rich perspectives and layered approaches to design and so much emerging talent. I would love to see some of these businesses taking risks and working with designers who have a story to tell, even if they may be newer in the industry. Everything is starting to look the same; I’m wanting to see more forward design in our retail spaces. —Tiffany Thompson, interior designer

A Victorian-era loveseat reimagined in stripes. Photography by Kate Jordan; Design by Jordan Ferney

Design Dupes

My position is, if I cannot afford the real thing, I’d prefer not to buy a copycat. I’d rather just buy something else vintage and try to doctor it, paint it, or reupholster it to make it cooler. —Clare Vivier, fashion and product designer

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