I love flipping through the pages of design books from the 1980s. I also enjoy looking for features and motifs that appear in photo after photo. One of my favorite accents: a bowl of fruit. If ’80s design was about decadence, it makes sense that decor would mirror this “cup runneth over” approach. Or shall I say “bowl runneth over”… So check out the way a bowl of fruit tops off the eight rooms featured in today’s post! [above: the dining room of architect/furniture maker Mark Zeff, from the January 1987 issue of Metropolitan Home]
A Bowl of Fruit
Let’s take a closer look at the types of bowls used in these luscious displays of produce. There’s nothing like a sleek and modern selection! A gridded bowl filled with colorful fruit is the perfect choice for this living room, which features turn-of-the-20th-century seating by Josef Hoffmann. [from Metropolitan Home: Renovation Style]
A sculptural bowl of fruit makes sense in this stunning dining room featuring a glass-and-aluminum table, aluminum chairs and a sculpture by Yves de la Tour d’Auvergne. [from The International Book of Lofts]
Monochromatic fruit! In a room filled with vibrant patterns, keeping it simple and striking with the produce is the way to go. Green grapes and limes get the job done. [from The Mary Gilliatt Book of Color]
Overflowing with goodness. Whether you choose lemons or yellow-toned apples, using produce to emphasize the color of the walls is never a bad idea. And since there are endless color possibilities when it comes to fruit, you’re sure to find a selection to match the dominant shade in your space. Below we see a heaping bowl of produce on a glass dining table. Side note: check out that awesome armchair upholstered in splatter-paint fabric! [from Metropolitan Home: Renovation Style]
Less is more. If the bowl is a work of art in itself, there’s no need to hide it under a pile of fruit. A few apples in a larger-than-life bowl rest on the coffee table below. Drama is the name of the game in this New Orleans family room. [from Metropolitan Home: Renovation Style]
A Clever Display
A bowl of fruit is fabulous, but there are other ways to let produce take center stage. A tiered hanging basket is the perfect retro statement for the kitchen! Plus, it frees up counter space for culinary endeavors. This Chicago loft kitchen is a modern vision in black and pink. Check out the colorful produce… [from Metropolitan Home: Renovation Style]
Need a sculptural dash of color for your living room? Arrange produce in a row on the surface of your choice. Can you spot the apples on the mirrored coffee table in this living room by Dagma Design Inc? [from ZONKOUT]
The best thing about decorating with fruit: it’s affordable! And you can consume it, then buy more. So find a retro container and fill it with fruit for a decadent look. Or display a row of oranges or apples on your coffee table for a bold jolt of color. I’m ready to round up some lemons for my kitchen. What about you?…
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