Interior designer and stylist Jonny Carmack has transformed a room in his Danbury, Connecticut home into a vibrant “fruit room.” Every surface is covered in colorful faux produce, turning everyday objects like a ceiling fixture into a cherry and a side table into a strawberry, creating a space bursting with decorative fruit motifs. This trend of incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables not only into kitchens but throughout homes is gaining popularity. Carmack views this creative interior design as an avenue for fun escapism, causing both conversation and celebration.
Experts in design suggest this trend aligns with a broader cultural shift towards sustainability and a deeper connection to nature. Rachel Hardage Barrett, the editor-in-chief of Country Living magazine, describes the trend as a nod to the romanticized farmstand experience, which epitomizes the pastoral lifestyle many yearn for these days. This increased interest in produce motifs also reflects a heightened fascination with gardening, wellness, and vintage collectibles.
Barrett observes that this trend is making its mark not just in home decor but in fashion as well. The recent social media phenomena such as the Tomato Girl Summer captured this vibe with its emphasis on red tones and tomato imagery, evoking the leisurely feel of Mediterranean cafes and strolls along the beach. Now, a new wave of fruity options is emerging, including cabbages, radishes, strawberries, and peaches.
The resurgence of nostalgia-driven decor has brought back interest in cabbage and lettuce designs, which were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries and experienced a revival among the Palm Beach elite of the ‘60s. Today, this style draws a new crowd and aligns with the ‘grandmillennial’ design movement that values cherished heirlooms. Even popular brands like Target have released cabbageware-inspired collections that have sparked millions of TikTok posts.
Much of the fruity trend has been fueled by social media platforms as well. A notable instance occurred in 2023 when a lemon-shaped ceramic stool at HomeGoods went viral on TikTok, selling out but paving the way for continued interest in citrus wedge-shaped tables. This theme was evident at this winter’s interior design, décor, and lifestyle shows in Paris and Frankfurt, where display booths resembled lively produce markets, adorned with creative displays of 3D grape and watermelon planters, peapod mirror frames, and tomato-themed cups and tableware.
Courtney Porter, a Los Angeles-based design editor and author, attended the Ambiente fair in Frankfurt and appreciated the playful and vibrant expressions among designers. She highlighted the supersaturated colors and flamboyant, cartoonish forms. Importantly, there was a clear relationship with healthy living and sustainability; the trend emphasized natural materials and youthful energy, channeling nostalgia for abundant nature.
Carmack, widely followed on social media as @vintageshowpony, believes his Fruit Room has captured people’s imagination due to its whimsical references to cartoons like Dr. Seuss and the video game Animal Crossing. These cultural touchstones express personality traits through fruits; for example, cherries are “flirty and fun,” while strawberries embody sweetness.
Alyse Whitney, a cookbook author and food columnist, has also embraced a decor style fondly referred to on social media as the “Grocery Girl” vibe. Her home is adorned with items like a wreath of metal mushrooms and a lemon-shaped ceramic stool. Whitney’s affinity for food-themed decor has been lifelong, evolving from discount shopping to discovering treasures at an estate sale.
Barrett opines that the fruit motif trend transcends specific decorating styles, offering different expressions depending on one’s taste. Those who enjoy retro or youthful aesthetics can embrace quirky kitsch, while those who prefer sophisticated decor might choose elegant fruit motifs in textiles or wallpaper.
“Whether you eat it or decorate with it, expressing your fondness for your favorite fruits or vegetables is now easier than ever,” Carmack concludes. This form of home decor reflects an experiment in self-expression that resonates with many people today, and Carmack is thrilled to see this creative trend flourish.