Inside design: Judith Miller

In her book Influential Styles (Georgetown Publications, 2003), Judith Miller, British author, broadcaster and antiques columnist for Canadian Home & Country magazine, traces design trends, from neoclassical to country, and explains how those styles have shaped modern interior decor. In Tribal Art: The Essential World Guide (DK Publishing, 2006), she looks at the next big trend. The author of more than 100 books, Miller is also an avid collector. We asked her for a refresher course on antiquing and collecting.

S@H: Your last book, Furniture, was a look at trends in furniture. What do you see shaping current and future decorscapes?

JM: We're seeing the rejection of a number of styles, particularly minimalism—a look we seem to dally with regularly but which isn't sustainable for the long term. Minimalism will reappear, but we tire of it easily because it's so unforgiving—where do the books and kids' toys go?

We're also seeing the reintroduction of some earlier styles; elements of Victorian and 1950s decor are making cameo appearances all over the place.

But I think one of the biggest influences on modern decor is tribalism, whether that's African, Native American or Inuit. Here in Canada, there has been a tremendous increase in the sale of Inuit art, and much of that is being bought by decorators.

S@H: Why is tribal art making such an impact on decor now?

JM: It's a scary world out there, and there's something reassuring about the honesty and integrity of Inuit and tribal art. These ancient traditions remind us of the existence of fundamental values that are timeless and worthy.

S@H: You discuss modern interiors as an amalgam of past and present influences. Do they risk becoming identity-less?

JM: Our current sense of style is an amalgam, true, but a unique look—the one that we'll think back upon as the defining style of the early 21st century—is emerging. In Canada, I suspect country influences will play a big part in shaping that prevailing style. There's such strong craftsmanship among Quebec furniture makers, and a strong link to French and English country styles of the past. That isn't to say there's anything wrong with mixing and matching styles. I love seeing antiques mixed with modern pieces. We're a generation that loves to sample from a number of styles and eras and, yes, there's a risk to that. Some styles work well together, like art deco and '50s retro, but others, like art nouveau and '50s, don't because they're visually jarring. The trick is to find harmonious common elements. For example, if your decor is classical and you wish to incorporate tribal artifacts, choose unifying colours.