A fantasy of flowers and vines unfold in a lacy web on this eye-catching glass coffee table designed by Tord Boontje. $1,280–$2,640 at Limn, (206) 696-7077.
Trend Watch
Amazing Lace
Prepare for pretty as home décor gets an unexpected lace-lift

A familiar fixture in grandma’s sitting room and the stuff of schoolhouse art projects, lace long endured a stodgy reputation. But of late, lace has entered the realm of modern design, resulting in a new twist on a centuries-old craft.

With a plethora of patterns from intricate cutouts and scrolling appliqués to graphic symmetrical motifs, this trend runs the gamut from glassware to upholstery. More and more we’re seeing ultramodern designs incorporating lace’s delicate form, creating unexpected couplings of soft and hard, curvy and straight. It’s the ironic application of this familiar textile into new and modern designs that has us spellbound—we love it for its unabashed girliness when we’re in need of a whit of whimsy.



BOOKCASE Billy, $69.99 at IKEA. WHITE VASE Kosmo by Driade, set of two, $228 at Limn. PLATE set of four, $45 at Foxmaid, (206) 267-7120. CUPS Lacey Flowers by JBJE Ceramics, $15–$25 each at SAM Shop, (206) 654-3120. BLACK VASE by Tom Dixon, $340 at Limn. TABLE $324 at Pizzaz Interiors, (425) 369-0480. LAMP Lacemaker, $198 at Anthropologie. TEA POT $56 at Camelion Design, (206) 783-7125. CHAIR McCartney by John Charles, $1,825 at Seva Home, (206) 323-9920. TEA CUP $14 at Camelion Design. CARPET GandiaBlasco, $2,040 (5.5 feet by 8 feet) at Inform Interiors, (206) 622-1608.