The materiality of the 1980s was all over the place. On one hand, you had the warmth of wood paneling and boisterous fabrics; on the other, the sleek minimalism of stone, glass, and graphic geometric furniture. It was an era of bold choices and visual excess—sometimes thrilling, sometimes jarring.
Today, that spirit is being revisited with restraint. Designers are drawing from the ‘80s, but with a more refined lens: think stone tables with honed finishes, sculptural travertine accents, and the re-emergence of plaster as a high-design material.
“Tables made entirely of stone were seen prominently in the '80s,” says designer Kelley. “That same look has made a comeback, often paired with plaster lighting—its soft matte texture and sculptural presence offering a beautiful contrast to harder surfaces like glass or metal.”
From vintage travertine coffee tables to handmade plaster pendant lights, the new wave of 1980s-inspired interiors is all about balance, material contrast, and form-driven simplicity.
