What does the term “Flamboyantly Flemish” mean in terms of interior design trends? Think about the colors in Dutch Old Masters’ paintings (such as Rembrandt’s The Night Watch or Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring). Think beautiful, large still life paintings and over-scaled florals on dark, inky backgrounds. Think antique pieces and touches of luxurious fabrics.
The Night Watch by Rembrandt
Basket of Flowers by Ruysch
Still Life with Lobster, Drinking Horn and Glasses by Kalf
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer
Now think about the cultural zeitgeist in North America right now. Society is introspective with feelings of dissatisfaction, but at the same time, there is optimism. As people seek ways to calm jangled nerves, they turn to restful, calming colors. You can see this in the trend towards the “Moody Deep” colors; inky, deep hues like black and dark purple are, indeed, restful. But it’s not all dark and moody; we brighten up these dark hues with white and light colored fabrics in lace, silk, and velvet. Likewise, the colors and elements found in the Dutch Old Masters’ paintings often reflect deep thoughts along with a bright (and sometimes flamboyant), joyful flair. Flamboyantly Flemish design incorporates all the fabulous elements of these classic works of art!
What does Flamboyantly Flemish mean for tile?
Rich, inky colors abound, even in wood looks (picture very dark brown and ebony hues), and parquet floors – first introduced in the 17th century – are especially on-trend right now. Old world influences like silk, velvet, and lace can also be found in tile, along with large, over-scaled floral motifs. Millennial Pink has given way to softer blush shades. Here’s a look at some Crossville tile selections that beautifully align with the Flamboyantly Flemish trend.
With dark colors, over-scaled floral motifs, antiques, and blush accents to brighten everything up, this lovely powder bath designed by Denise McGaha is the epitome of Flamboyantly Flemish with its feel of having stepped right into a Dutch Old Masters’ painting! And our Yin+Yang natural stone mosaic in Black Dragon on the floor provides the perfect inky backdrop for this Old World-inspired space.
Once only found in stately homes, palaces, and chateaux throughout France in the 1600s, wood parquet flooring became a universal design trend throughout Europe (and later the U.S.) that lasted until the 1930s. The trend had another heyday back in the 70s and 80s, but the look is definitely making a comeback today. Here’s our parquet-look Nest in the dark “Meditative Mosaic” colorway – a fitting choice for your Flamboyantly Flemish interiors!
Both our Buenos Aires Mood in Malbec and Bohemia in the Wanderer colorway will infuse your designs with just the right moody hue needed to ground any Flamboyantly Flemish space.
Buenos Aires Mood in Malbec (discontinued)
Bohemia in Wanderer
Have you seen our 2018 Color Trends Look Book? With black as its backbone, it’s a great place to get inspiration for your Moody Deep and Flamboyantly Flemish spaces!
