If you need any proof that what’s old is suddenly new again, think about your grandmother’s house. For years, her abundance of flora, skirted furniture, and wallpapered-everything would be hallmarks of an outdated, mothball-infested space. But now? Those cutesy elements are everywhere—and fringe is joining the ranks. Because, yes, fringe-flanked decor is finally making its triumphant return.
For Carrie Moore, the comeback is particularly appreciated after “a long stretch of minimalism in design.” In an era that champions traditional, and even whimsical touches, a tasseled touch can make a room feel “layered and collected rather than overly polished,” says Jeanne Hayes of Camden Grace Interiors. “Designers and homeowners are embracing more texture, pattern, and personality, and fringe is an easy way to introduce all three,” adds the West Hartford, Connecticut, designer.
According to Marisa Gutmacher, senior vice president of design for Samuel & Sons, fringe was historically used to finish and protect a textile’s edges. But over the years, it morphed into a decorative detail that could help convey a certain aesthetic: The bold border had an Art Deco appeal in the 1920s, an ultra-glam allure during the ’80s, and a boho flair come the 2010s. But now? Passementerie is non-partisan…