I’m thrilled by the response to this post about London stylist Liza Giles and cannot believe the amount of emails flooding in about this style overall. Many have challenged me to define this look into a name but that’s not really my thing as I’m sure it’s already been categorized by designers… But for fun, I did do some research and now I know what I’d like to call this style when I write about it in the future: Boho Modern.
Let’s see… We have mid century modern, Hollywood regency, modern, minimalist, retro, but what do we call this one? Not vintage modern, that makes me think of Thomas O’Brien and I don’t think his look fits this one since he’s more traditional, clean cut and uses lots of beige and blue. Certainly my friend with her Crack House Chic comment was off base, that raised a few eyebrows and made most of us laugh and cringe simultaneously, and CHC is not even close to what this style should be termed. All things considered, let’s give this look the term Boho Modern. As in Bohemian. How does this sound? It’s a little old with new, less rules with more play.
I did a little research to see if Boho Modern really works. Wikipedia describes Bohemian, “In modern usage, the term bohemian no longer refers to the Roma but can describe any person who lives an unconventional artistic life, where self-expression is their highest value; art (acting, poetry, writing, singing, dancing, painting, etc.) is a serious, if not central, part of their life.” Okay good. That sounds about right.
I researched fashion, too. Boho Chic already describes a style of fashion (think Anthropologie, Noa Noa, Odd Molly), and some stylists call it Modern Boho as well. So you can go with Boho Chic or Boho Modern, too. In the land of interiors, I’ve noticed this style referred to as Flea Market Style, Global Decor, Shabby, and Ethnic Chic, Midwest Modern, Modern Euro Country, and though they fit to a degree, I think Boho Modern works best. Flea Market Style is a close runner up, but because it’s more about self expression and less about where items are sourced – lots of us don’t have access to good fleas, so we shop on eBay or second hand stores – or we pick up new things at Ikea and paint them to give them a little age appeal, I don’t know if Flea Market Style is what I would call this. But I get the point because the rooms end up looking a little bit like everything was found at a flea.
When it comes to Flea Market Style, that can come mean something different for everyone as it’s all about where you live. In my part of the country, most markets do not carry any of these gorgeous things. If you pulled together a room using things from MY local flea market here in New Hampshire, you’d have a room filled with discarded dollar store ceramics, shot guns, pocket knives, beat up action figures, and dirty movies. If you shopped a flea in San Francisco or London, you may have a different ‘vision’ when you think of Flea Market Style.
Suggested reading: New Decor by Elizabeth Wilhide is a lovely book embracing this very style, I suggest picking it up, it’s brilliant. I reviewed it here in case you’re interested. Creating Vintage Style and Flea Market Style by Emily Chalmers is another that I . (Has anyone ever visited Caravan, her London shop?).
Boho Modern is: Mixing old with new. Building your space over time. Taking formerly functional items and transforming them into either purely aesthetic pieces – a collection of vintage keyholes or door knobs mounted to a single wall, or using functional items in fun new ways – a vintage umbrella stand becomes a place to store rolls of wrapping paper or vintage sheets transformed into a duvet, for instance.
Boho Modern feminine with an edge. It’s deeply personal. Mixing periods and ethnic styles is highly encouraged (i.e. Indian prints mixed with Aboriginal). Color can be subdued, rich, bold, or barely there. It can be neat with few objects or items arranged in collections, or a bit disheveled. Traditional design “rules” are thrown out the window, replaced by a casual beauty that comes from the heart. It’s all about textures and details. It’s about living a more creative life and decorating from the heart. Eclectic living.
Looking for some inspiration from “real” homes? Visit these homes from a few decor8 readers living the Boho Modern life: AB Chao, Jasna Janekovic in Germany, Victoria in San Francisco, Yvonne in the Netherlands, and my friend YIPPIEYEAH in Hannover.
(images from caravan, living etc, and odd molly.)
Tags: bohemian modern design, boho, boho modern, design, designers guild, liza giles
January 4th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Victoria from http://sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com/ has been calling her style Bohemian Modern for like ever [sic].
Pretty much if you love Anthro home … this describes you :)
January 4th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Yes, Yes, Yes! I love it,embrace and live it. :)
xo
Melissa
January 4th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Boho Modern seems like a close cousin to Neo Shabby Chic.
http://palazzopizzo.blogspot.com/2007/02/neo-shabby-chic-look.html
January 4th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hi Meg!! Yes Ms. Victoria calls it this (she’s included in this post, did you catch that) and so do many other bloggers, and after lots of research it seems Boho Modern is the best term as I filtered through about 100 other names for it.
I like Boho Modern because it’s a quick bite and embraces the style as a whole with few words.
What does [sic] mean?
xo
Happy Friday!
Holly
January 4th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Hi Holly :)
No I didn’t catch that :( sorry for jumping the gun – I find it really hard to read text on the computer screen sometimes (especially when sammiched between such luscious images!!!)
I was really excited when I first heard the term too because it pretty much is the perfect summation of my style as well!
And, oh, heheheh – sic means… sic ? \?sik\ adverb [Latin] (circa 1859): intentionally so written ? used after a printed word or passage to indicate that it is exactly as printed or to indicate that it exactly reproduces an original (Ex. Tom said he seed [sic] it all).
It was supposed to be a joke about that poster thats EVERYWHERE “For Like Ever”
Best!!
Meg
January 4th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I love, love, love this style! And I think that Boho Modern is the perfect title for it. Such insping photos! Thanks for posting!
January 4th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I have the necklace on the left of the first photo! In fact i have many things in my closet of the brand hoss intropia, one of my favorites since my early 20s
I think that “boho modern” is a good adjective… I don’t know how to put it into words, but I think that it’s about mixing shamelessly everything that touches your heart no matter the moment in time it belongs to, if it’s expensive or cheap…it’s not all about being classic, retro, modern, futuristic..but everything at the same time and still be elegant, chic and a reflex of the person who dresses or decorates.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
if i wasn’t married and could chose any style of my own, i think this would be it! thank you for your research and making this post!
January 4th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
love it, cheap chic is how i end up explaining it.
I love it, its easy to pull off in MA with all the flea markets.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Another interesting topic – interesting segue from your topic yesterday. I’ve been calling this style bohomo. But I’m starting to use labels less and less, I think. And please don’t call me eclectic! Sorry, another tangent.
It’s funny, Holly these rooms look more CHC that the ones from yesterday. I looked at the post again, I was so fascinated. Those rooms look clean and fresh to me. Take a look at the walls and floors, they are not shabby.
Some of these rooms really look shabby to me, though. I have difficulty with cracking walls with caulk and plaster and deteriorating looking wood floors. This is a very different look than the apartment you talked about yesterday. And certainly Victoria’s apartment has nothing shabby about it.
I guess labels can be so difficult.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Oh yes Punky, esp. in MA and also in Maine. Hollis NH has a weekly flea but it’s really not good and I thought of setting up a booth there to do my own thing but I really don’t have the time/will/energy!!
January 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I agree Peggy. Yeah labels stink but are unfortunately a part of our society – maybe I’m just more aware of it because I’m asked this question a lot, “How would you define your style” and if I reply “Holly Style” and smirk no one gets it – they think I’ve just branded some new look when what I mean is my home is so totally ME and my eye is MY eye and there’s no way to define that. I think Boho Modern works for me because I’ve always followed this look – clean white walls, lots of art, fresh flowers, flea market finds combined with brand new items, lots of textiles and blankets, candles and great food cooking, wonderful music playing, and great friends and family to share it all with. How do you define that, you know?
January 4th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
well whatever you call it (boho modern works well), i LOVE it! i love the combination of old and new, feminine and edgy. the only thing i don’t like in some of the pics is peeling paint. i just want to pick at it. that’s just my weird little neurosis though. either way, thank you SO much for all the gorgeous pics and inspiration!
January 4th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Holly- isn’t it funny how we think we need a phrase to describe things? you just described your home and style beautifully… and did it in just one sentence. And that sentence is completely unique to you. When you (general you, I should probably say “one” here but whatevs!) say you have a certain style, or listen to a certain type of music or whatever it is… it sort of means you are prescribing to a way of life instead of defining it for yourself.
I like your sentence better than the phrase, but you’re right, in this society, phrases are important :)
-Meg
January 4th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I am completely on board with the Boho Modern title. I’ve been trying to come up with a title for this look for months now. The best title I came up with for myself is Bohemian Minimalism. I love funky, vintage, handmade, but I have to have clear and open spaces, or I go crazy.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I think in a nut shell: Anthropologie.com
January 4th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Holly, I love your breakdown of this style.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
yes! thank you thank you for this entry. i’ve wondered if there were a name or movement behind it, seeing as the style can have so many wildly different manifestations, while still capturing the same sort of essence.
good stuff. i’ve eaten it all up.
:o)
January 4th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
This is such a lovely follow on from the last post – Boho Modern sounds fab!
I used to live down the road from the Caravan shop for about a year – I don’t think I ever bought anything. Slightly beyond my budget (as are most things in London!), but I LOVED the decor. Isn’t Emily a stylist originally? I’d go in there at least once a week just to see how she had put things together, and what flea market finds she’d managed to revamp. Might be nice to do an interview of her with pictures of her shop, no?
I’m SOOOOOO looking forward to decor8 in 2008! “200decor8″!!!!
January 4th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Holly, do you have this book? It’s WONDERFUL.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
p.s. I always used to refer to my personal style (in clothing and decor) as “fancy poor”. :)
January 5th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Hello Holly,
I love your blog and I love your style. Probably because it is so similar to mine. I have tried to explain my style for the past couple of years to people also and I think you found the word for it. I have been reading your blog and other interior design blogs for about a year now, but yours is at the top of my list as my favorite. I ran across your blog and others while doing research for interior design school last year. With all the inspiration and encouragement that you give, I think I am finally ready to start my own blog. Thank you for your great writing, style and inspiration.
Melissa
January 5th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Ilse Crawford is similar in her interpretation (she calls the look ‘modern and emotional’). I love perusing her books ~ and Ilse’s own home is, of course, just dreamy.
Keep up the good work, one and all.
Jo J
January 5th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Just came accross your blog today and I love it. Love Anthropology home and the boho modern “label”. It is so hard to say what my style is because it changes by the moment. Things inspire me all around. Will be back, thanks!
January 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
i love this look..i went into the caravan shop a while back and had a lovely chat with emily..i blogged about it too, with some pics(see my archives)…its the kind of shop that increases your heartbeat to the point where i was convinced other people could hear it..xx
January 5th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Holly, I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that this style is “deeply personal”.
That’s exactly what it is! And it is personally unique – after years of cooky cutter, matchy matchy interiors THIS is a style that can only be defined by your own personal passions and collections. It evolves naturally in a sensitive yet practical style. It is the evolving product of a creatively casual lifestyle.
I have been to CARAVAN too – it is an original in every sense of the word.
F.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Caravan is a fabulous shop – definitely worth a visit if you are in the UK.
January 5th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I think boho modern is essentially the same look as shabby chic, but with a much better moniker.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Mmm, Boho Modern is just yummy! It does feel a little like Anthropologie Home! And I’m in love with Victoria’s home – I’m definitely inspired to cover one of my walls with framed photos now! Hers is done so well.
- Kristin
January 6th, 2008 at 3:55 am
holly – i am traveling to london for 9 days on friday, and i would love to see what can be done about visiting caravan. it’d be great if i were granted permission to take a few photos, no?
January 6th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Sara, Yes ask because most stores are pretty open to it – I’d esp. think Emily would be (she owns the store) because she reads blogs and knows about them. I also heard she is an absolute sweetheart. Yay, go for it Sara, you can’t know unless you ask!
January 6th, 2008 at 4:20 am
yesyes…i’ve just read steven mcvay’s entry about the shop, and it’s all just too lovely. *feels hopes bubbling*
January 6th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Sara – I just googled Steven McVay and found the blog and the entry of Caravan – WOW – nice shots, so now you have the courage, right??!?
January 6th, 2008 at 4:53 am
very much so! yay for blogland. :o)
January 7th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Love this look, Holly. Can you help us find some Boho Modern fabrics. I am dying to redecorate my boring taupe couch with these fun and funky colors and patterns!
January 7th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
later in the day, after i first saw this post, i saw part of an hgtv show called What’s My Style and they were inspired by Boho Modern, actually. They did a pretty ok job for a tv show. …I can’t remember now if they used the term Boho Modern or Boho Chic or something totally different, but Boho was it. haha. …so glad this style exits and is just kinda that classically, effortless cool, it’s a real savior for pack rats like myself! haha
-caitlin
January 9th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I’ve been to Caravan, in Spitalfields market. Such a wonderful, magical place- and very difficult to find! It’s practically hidden so you really have to stumble upon it. Spitalfields should be a destination for anyone interested in boho, vintage design, though it’s become a bit posh in recent years. Yet it’s still a place where you can get delicious organic lunches and pastries from “Make Bread not Bombs,” lovely silk-wool Indian scarves, pendant lamps made out of recycled computer boards, dutch plastic chandeliers, and refurbished vintage industrial furniture all in one afternoon.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:51 am
The Czech Republic is literally in “Bohemia.” I just learned that on my trip; never knew where it was.
Personally, I think “Crack House Chic” is FUNNY! I think I’d like your friend. I do understand how words chafe people though, as I cannot freaking stand it when people say “room porn.” I think it’s stupid, and it bugs me, even though porn doesn’t really bug me, the phrase is trying to hard.
Boho is totally over as a TREND in fashion, though it has been around for decades and will stay around for decades; Sienna M. swears she’ll never wear it again, and she and Kate M. were the ones who made it so popular a few years ago.
“Bohemian” to me definitely connotates a counter-culture. I kind of associate it with communes, B.O. and Stevie Nicks’ fringy, body sized scarves. I also associate it, more positively (no offense, Stevie) with banged up leather, fringe, definitely ethnic prints/fabrics, Talitha Getty, Morocco, funky crystal beads, scuffed suede, fringe, yeah, stuff like that. Some of these images of fit a “modern boho” category for me, other parts, esp. from the earlier post are WAY too carefully edited and arranged to earn the moniker.
That being said, I can’t come up with a better moniker, and it is pretty catchy there Hols, so good work, and you definitely opened up some fun conversation, sorry I am playing post holiday catch-up late!
Oh, the spread on Blonde Redhead in Domino awhile ago fits this aesthetic perfectly.