Buzzword to Watch For: "Heritage"
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
The September issue of W arrived in my mailbox last week and when I opened it to the letter from the editor, one single word stared me right in the face: "heritage."
The letter wrote about "heritage" as the current buzzword in fashion, where it seems to refer to anything even remotely related to the past (and considering how quickly fashion trends evolve, the past could be about five minutes ago).
I like vintage clothes as much as the next girl, but my noticing has less to do with my interest in fashion trends than with my interest in food trends, though. "Heritage" has been all the rage in food for the past few years - just ask the heritage turkeys that grace every food mag around each November.
If it's hot in the fashion world and hot in the food world, you know what's next, right? That's right: heritage design.
In food, "heritage" means more than just "old" - it has something to do with pedigree and with knowing where a food item comes from. In this case, design is more like food than fashion, with trends that last longer than one season, and where a single piece - an armoire, for instance - can long outlive a pair of even the most finely made jeans (and requires a larger investment). Heritage in design is about the history of an item or even materials, and also about the history of the people who have interacted with those items.
So watch for it. I expect we'll start to see more articles and posts about "heritage" design - starting here:
The letter wrote about "heritage" as the current buzzword in fashion, where it seems to refer to anything even remotely related to the past (and considering how quickly fashion trends evolve, the past could be about five minutes ago).
I like vintage clothes as much as the next girl, but my noticing has less to do with my interest in fashion trends than with my interest in food trends, though. "Heritage" has been all the rage in food for the past few years - just ask the heritage turkeys that grace every food mag around each November.
If it's hot in the fashion world and hot in the food world, you know what's next, right? That's right: heritage design.
In food, "heritage" means more than just "old" - it has something to do with pedigree and with knowing where a food item comes from. In this case, design is more like food than fashion, with trends that last longer than one season, and where a single piece - an armoire, for instance - can long outlive a pair of even the most finely made jeans (and requires a larger investment). Heritage in design is about the history of an item or even materials, and also about the history of the people who have interacted with those items.
So watch for it. I expect we'll start to see more articles and posts about "heritage" design - starting here:
| The renovation of this barn is a great example of the type of "heritage" project that's been happening in the architecture world for generations. Private Comment
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| This detail of the barn's stone is typical of the type of preservation work that's key to heritage projects. Private Comment
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| Reclaimed and reused materials are already hot - like the wood of this counter. Private Comment
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This door is painted with Benjamin Moore's "heritage red" - a rich color that really does evoke American history.
Private Comment
The preservation of the architectural detail in this 1920's Tudor Revival home is key to its Tudor feel, but it also tells the story of the home itself, which is fairly old by American standards.
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There's something about brick - it automatically embues a space with a sense of history or gravity. All of those exposed brick walls in old factories or renovated row homes? That's "heritage."
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Heritage isn't just about architectural details, either - it's often found in specific pieces, like this old rocker.
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| Or this armoire. Private Comment
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| Smaller design elements, like a stack of older books, or knicknacks, add heritage to a room. Private Comment
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Books are actually a great way to keep a family history alive - with a little care, they're easy to pass down, and they tell a story of a family's interests and experiences. And that is really at the core of "heritage."
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There's a lot of "heritage" in this space, but it's the faded rug that gets me. I'm a sucker for rugs that look like they've been carefully tended and handed down for generations.
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Like rugs, blankets (especially vintage Hudson Bay blankets) are great hand-me-down items.
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Comments
Tricia Rose says:
Goodness, I suppose that means what I do is 'heritage' - my Rough Linen is based on a homespun linen pillowcase made by my great-grandmother...
Do you think we are all appreciating a sort of stability and timelessness because of the economic uncertainties? Elemental materials which are simple, and trusted?
Do you think we are all appreciating a sort of stability and timelessness because of the economic uncertainties? Elemental materials which are simple, and trusted?
21 months ago ·
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Kit Pollard says:
Triciarose - that's about as heritage as it gets, in my book.
I also think you're probably right about some of the motivation. People do look for their roots in times of uncertainty...
I also think you're probably right about some of the motivation. People do look for their roots in times of uncertainty...
21 months ago ·
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platypus says:
I worked as a sales associate for a while at this really fabulous furniture store, whose core business for years was selling "vintage" furniture. They called it vintage because 1) most of it was from 1900-1940's so it isn't technically antique, and 2) they repaired and refinished the pieces with modern varnishes which are much more durable and water-resistant than the original finishes were. In addition, with the new repair and refinish, the craftsmanship was outstanding, even in comparison to what you can buy now at a similar price. In many cases, the quality of the vintage woods was much better than what is available now.
This store now also sells modern pieces that are more Pottery Barn-ish, but they still sell the vintage mahogany and oak. I managed to spend quite a bit on some really fantastic "heritage" mahogany pieces for my house (particularly my bedroom)- I got a nice empire style dresser, a sheraton-style vanity (and vintage mirrors to go above both), as well as a vanity bench (upholstered in fabric to match the curtains) and a fabulous chifferobe.
Sometimes cruising antiques fairs or even looking online for good deals can get you a great piece which will last a couple more lifetimes with some help from a great repair and refinish person.
This store now also sells modern pieces that are more Pottery Barn-ish, but they still sell the vintage mahogany and oak. I managed to spend quite a bit on some really fantastic "heritage" mahogany pieces for my house (particularly my bedroom)- I got a nice empire style dresser, a sheraton-style vanity (and vintage mirrors to go above both), as well as a vanity bench (upholstered in fabric to match the curtains) and a fabulous chifferobe.
Sometimes cruising antiques fairs or even looking online for good deals can get you a great piece which will last a couple more lifetimes with some help from a great repair and refinish person.
21 months ago ·
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rileysgranny says:
Love the barn/house. There was a time in my life when I REALLY wanted to find one to covert into a home. And love the stone work too. My husband does that sort of work and it is just beautiful. He retires in 20 months and I have a LONG list of stone work ready and waiting.
21 months ago ·
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Sandra Howie says:
Hi Kit,
Thanks for showing our neighbours barn that my husband (on the ladder) worked on. Along with structurally reinforcing the entire barn inside the owners even wanted him to hand brush not roll the 2 coats of stain to ensure it would get into every little nook and cranny of the barnboard for longevity.
It is an incredible building that is now a workshop but was also the perfect place to host their sons engagement parties. The second picture is actually the rubble stone foundation of their beautiful heritage plaqued home. Todd dug this clay soil basement by hand and since a conveyor could not fit in through the windows he carried the soil up the stairs in buckets! The large stones were found in the soil and the owner positioned them as a beautiful focal point against the newer foundation. We wish there were more people like them to help save our heritage barns and homes that are all too quickly disappearing to urban sprawl.
Thanks for showing our neighbours barn that my husband (on the ladder) worked on. Along with structurally reinforcing the entire barn inside the owners even wanted him to hand brush not roll the 2 coats of stain to ensure it would get into every little nook and cranny of the barnboard for longevity.
It is an incredible building that is now a workshop but was also the perfect place to host their sons engagement parties. The second picture is actually the rubble stone foundation of their beautiful heritage plaqued home. Todd dug this clay soil basement by hand and since a conveyor could not fit in through the windows he carried the soil up the stairs in buckets! The large stones were found in the soil and the owner positioned them as a beautiful focal point against the newer foundation. We wish there were more people like them to help save our heritage barns and homes that are all too quickly disappearing to urban sprawl.
21 months ago ·
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Kit Pollard says:
Sandra - thank you so much for sharing the story of the barn. It really does look like a great place for a party.
And the story of the basement - wow. That is an impressive undertaking.
And the story of the basement - wow. That is an impressive undertaking.
21 months ago ·
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