Minimalism is dead. The new maximalism is here, and it looks to traditional ideas of layered pattern, texture, and color but with a cozy modern spin. There is no better place to find inspiration from the great interiors of the past, and the home of American royalty, Gloria Vanderbilt, is the perfect place to start.
An archival photograph of the socialite's bedroom from 1984 shows exactly what minimalist rejectors love about the maximalist interiors of the past. The New York apartment is bold, impactful, and full of personality. Rather than dealing in clean lines and neutrals, it puts character at the center. The floral wallpaper combined with a red side table and gold accents feels fun and in communication, rather than gaudy or over-the-top.
Gloria's four-poster bed is the perfect example of how this look adds character to a home. Rather than opting for a traditional canopy, she instead drapes a Spanish shawl and lace curtains over the top. These choices integrate a touch of fashion and playfulness to the overall traditional room. It's perfect.
Recreate Gloria's Look at Home
Create a vintage look in your home with this Art Nouveau-esque wallpaper, perfect for small spaces such as powder rooms. I love the pink and green color palette that is a gorgeous pairing with neutral interiors.
A four-poster bed is a look that can be both traditional and on-trend. This pretty one has a subtle detail that adds instant interest and style.
These lacy white curtains feature plant and flower designs for a pretty, grounding effect. They have a vintage style in an enviable modern price tag.
As we enter 2026, bold, characterful interiors like those seen in Gloria Vanderbilt's home are circling back into fashion as major interior design trends. Though we're unlikely to see looks this traditional in most homes, the principles behind them carry forward with contemporary spins. A focus on personality is always in style.
Chloe Barrow, Interior Expert at Laura James, explains: 'From hand-painted walls to ceramics and textiles, this modern heritage look is really about curating a home that feels lived in. The spaces that feel most special are those where every piece tells a story - whether that’s an antique mirror or a piece of vintage glassware picked up on your travels. Mixing old and new with confidence creates that effortless, collected-over-time feel.'
When it comes to expressing your personality through interiors, no pattern is too over-the-top, and no combination is too gaudy. As our obsession Gloria Vanderbilt's home shows, it's precisely by leaning into these instincts that you can create truly impactful spaces, that are still just as stylish decades later.
