Three 2018 Art Trends (That Also Have Major Staying Power)

You know the phrase “museum-quality”? The easiest way to add some of that character to your own home is via a bust (or a “portrait sculpture,” as referred to in academia). Typically a head made of stone, busts date back to ancient Greece, where they’re believed to have evolved from wax death masks—a tributary practice honoring deceased family members. We’re loving today’s whimsical bust interpretation, which come in the form of planters and jewelry display. But if you want to keep it classic, simply add one to a mantle, pedestal or console for an instantly sophisticated vignette.

_{Image: Monica Wants It}

A wise woman once said, “Florals are always a good idea.” OK, so that woman was possibly us, but the timeless, natural appeal of botanicals is undeniable regardless. Old-school botanical prints date all the way back to the 500s, when they were first used to identify and record plant species (usually with medicinal purposes in mind). Hung low, en masse and alongside chintz fabrics or fresh, farmhouse decor, today’s version is remarkably non-grandma. 

_{Image: Blesser House}

Or should we say, fresco-like wall treatments? The very first frescoes (definition: painted murals applied to wet plaster) date back to ancient Egypt, but the art form gained real gravitas during the Roman middle ages thanks to a low-key artist named Michelangelo. Perhaps tiring of the now ubiquitous wallpaper and decal trend, some of our favorite designers are now opting for deliberately old-looking hand-painted murals and chic paper options that pay homage to watery, Italian frescoes.

_{Image: Maura Endres}