Flavorwire

A new tome by design correspondent Eva Hagberg, Dark Nostalgia coins a nickname for the cozy vintage trend in interiors.

Bouncing from New York to London to Portland, Hagberg presents 25 projects by the likes of Roman & Williams, Julian Schnabel, and AvroKO to illustrate how cutting-edge designers are now working on an intimate scale. The glass skyscrapers and sleek white boxes of the early 21st century have put on a few layers — mainly polished leather, velvet, reclaimed wood, and heavy metals.

The new look is keenly idealized, and by utilizing such tactile materials, which were commonplace in bygone eras, modern antiquarians evoke a time and place that feels at once familiar and mysterious.

Read Hagberg’s design writing from the Architectural Record and Wallpaper*, peruse the author’s contributions to Flavorwire, and buy the book.

Ace Hotel; design by Atelier Ace. “Couches surround a table created from salvaged materials; a found hotel sign is a literal example of adoption and transformation.” (Photo: Jeremy Pelley)

Brooklyn Townhouse; design by Jenna Lyons and Vincent Mazeau. “A collection of antlers from around the world is assembled on one wall; art, including a pallet made by Mazeau, surrounds the antique fireplace.”  (Photo: Gillian Bostock)

Gramercy Park Hotel; design by Julian Schnabel. “Curved shapes appear in the jade bar, cut into a grainy wood wall; fringe on deep blue stools introduces a sense of whimsy and history.” (Photo: Dean Kaufman)

Gramercy Park Hotel; design by Julian Schnabel. “In the main lobby space, a gestural Cy Twombly adds modernity to the heavy coffered ceiling, velvet upholstery, and wrought-iron fireplace accessories.” (Photo: Dean Kaufman)

Allen & Delancey; design by Jason Volenec for RKit Design. “A view from the entry though the restaurant reveals heavy red stage-style curtains that divide the space.” (Photo: Gillian Bostock)

Apotheke;  design by Christopher Tierney and Heather Tierney. “Reclaimed wood columns and sheer curtains divide the main space; striped banquettes pick up the color of the absinthe-filled globes of the wall sconces; the main chandelier was designed by Christopher Tierney.” (Photo: Matthias Gaggl)

Adour Alain Ducasse; design by Rockwell Group. “An abstracted, etched grapevine pattern covers the walls; plush carpeting and chairs add texture and luxury to the space.” (Photo: Bruce Buck)

Public; design by Avroko. “Delicate filament bulbs and hardy metal lamps suspended from a beamed ceiling vary the intensity of light in the room.” (Photo: Michael Weber)

All images courtesy of The Monacelli Press, an imprint of Random House.