Avigayil and I bonded over Instagram through a shared love of colorful decor and exciting interiors. She regularly shares original-or-dupe quizzes on her stories (you have to pick which was the original design and which is the lower priced knock-off... I can't tell you how guessing wrong bruises my pride!) and shares beautiful interiors inspirations and layout concepts.
Avigayil chatted with me about her design aesthetic and process, and what she thinks are the best and worst interior design trends.
Arielle: How would you describe your aesthetic?
Avigayil: Wow! Jumping right into it are we? This question used to give me the sweats because I couldn’t pin-point my style and it stressed me out. But I’ve come to realize that my love for all styles leads me to call my style eclectic. I love a proper mix of modern and traditional, blended with just the right amount of rustic. I’m truly all about just finding those pieces you love and making them work together. Eclectic design breaks some rules and I’m all for that.
Arielle: When someone asks you to style their living space, what’s the most important thing you want to know about them?
Avigayil: Right off the bat I ask them to head to Pinterest and send me screenshots of interiors they love. I find that to be the most effective way to pinpoint a client’s style and eliminates wasted time and misunderstandings.
Arielle: How do you balance designing for longevity and incorporating current interiors trends?
Avigayil: This is a good one. I think if you go all-in on a specific trend you will inevitably date your interior in only a matter of time. Some people are ok with that. That’s what they like and they may not care if it’s not “in” later on. Or they may have the budget to update on a constant basis. I think the best way to make sure your interior stays timeless is to choose more classic pieces for the larger scale items in your home and sprinkle in smaller scale trendier accents.
Arielle: What’s something you wish people were more willing to do with their living space?
Avigayil: I wish more people incorporated more color into their home. I’m finding the grey glam style and the neutral modern farmhouse style so monotonous and boring. After all, I work for @tovfurniture who’s motto is #dontbeboring.
Arielle: What’s the biggest mistake you see in people’s interiors?
Avigayil: Rugs that are too small. Nothing makes a room feel more cramped than a rug that isn’t proportional.
Arielle: Where do you look for inspiration when you’re in a creative rut?
Avigayil: Call me old-fashioned but I LOVE a good ol’ magazine. Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful - to name a few. My grandmother has a stockpile of every single decorating magazine there ever was from the last 15 years (maybe more!) and I love nothing more than to sit and peruse all of it. I’ve started my own collection and I’m not letting go of it too easily. I also love design blogs like dominomag, apartment therapy… Pinterest is another place a head to for inspiration. Lastly, I turn to the runway for trend forecasting! Interior trends often go hand in hand with fashion and it’s a great place to draw inspiration for color, silhouettes and texture that will be fresh and cool before you know it.
Arielle: What’s something that’s trending that you’re excited to see in more spaces?
Avigayil: Secondhand and vintage is trending due to the horrible shipping crisis. Nothing would give me more satisfaction than if a follower reached out to tell me that they sourced something amazing on Facebook Marketplace or from their local thrift store. It’s environmentally friendly, more cost effective and just a great way to get what you want fast.
Arielle: What’s a trend you wish would never come back?
Avigayil: That glitzy-glittery Hollywood glam look. I really despise that all grey-beige-white palette with mirrors and sparkly decorative items everywhere. There’s no contrast, no color and it’s just so incredibly painful to look at. Sorry, not sorry.
Arielle: If someone only has the budget for one big ticket item for their home, where would you recommend they invest?
Avigayil: That’s a really hard question. I’d just say to make sure that you really love whatever it is because it really feels like you and not just because it’s trendy. I personally feel that a good, timeless, comfortable, durable sofa/sectional would be a great investment. Nothing better than lounging in comfort at the end of a long day.
Avigayil Becker is a camera-shy interior stylist with a knack for sourcing affordable home decor and designer dupes! She’s got a #thingforpink and enjoys piña coladas and long walks in the rain… ok, not really but the first part is true.
Follow her at @avigayilbecker for inspiration, mood boards, trend-forecasting, and more!
Follow her at @avigayilbecker for inspiration, mood boards, trend-forecasting, and more!