They say styles circulate every 20 yrs. It seems more like 40 to me. I do believe we're phasing out of Old World into "retro" modern/modern. I also know a lot of folks who ignore trends until their stuff inevitably comes back into style and claim they were "right all along", about true design. Some folks "update" here and there with accessories but stick to classic,neutral stuff they upkeep and refinish/reupholster. I personally think the latest in trendy stuff appeals to young folks just starting out and don't know what they like yet,folks/investors looking to sell their homes, and folks who's stuff is worn/tired that want to start over fresh. Oh, and the people with money that get bored after 5 minutes and compete with their friends to be the most "in".

I don't think the Old World Style when done well ever goes out of style. The magazine czars and trend setters may think differently but then they have to because if they didn't they'd soon be out of jobs.

Classic items, well made and well arranged furniture and family heirlooms never loose their appeal.

Now here's a new website from one of my favorite designers .....

One that offers some fresh ways to do/look at Olde Worlde.

And don't forget the Belgium farmhouse look too -- check out the Restoration Hardware look.

Here is a link that might be useful: New Jackew Lanham decorator website

Aw, thanks ladies for all the helpful info. My home is only alittle bit Old World style with alot of traditional pieces and a piece or two of french that is still going strong & seeing alot in everyone's homes. My french armoire in the LR is being surrounded with zebra and sisal rugs and gray blue walls on blogs and decorating magazines. While I love that look, it doesn't necessarily go with my color scheme. I love to change things up pretty often........:) I love looking & admiring the new mixes of things. Bonnie

Tea, I looked at the website and it seemed like the pictures were out of a PB catalog. I never saw PB as being Old World.

Below is a great article on decorating Old World.

Our LR is on the Old World side, and doing research on the style before we built it said basically the same thing as the article below.

Lots of jewel tones, reds, greens, golds, copper, brass, wood, stone, antiques, heavy furniture, wrought iron and tapestries.

We're still looking for a tapestry to go on a big wall.

Here is a link that might be useful: Old World Decorating

The Tuscany style isn't as popular around here as it once was a few years ago.
You could update your look a little by switching up some of your accessories. Use bigger pillows like 20-22" in size instead of smaller ones. Use less accessories on flat surfaces that are bigger in scale. Switch out your lamp shades to drum shades......Lighten up your walls with lighter paint colors.
~Des

I don't know if it's in or out - but it's not something I've seen much of around here.

We have a good many antiques, but our home is not decorated in Old World Style. I would definitely have to say that PB is not old world style.

tina

Teacats - thanks for the Jackye Lanham link! I have some of her stuff saved.

Over the past few years I think that House Beautiful has been featuring an updated Old World Style on a regular basis.

I am very partial to it. To me their look (and the one that I like) is neutral stone toned walls in griege and/ or limey white or bisque. They have an aged look maybe done w/ a Venetian Plaster treatment.

Then for lighting I think either old looking gold lighting (again antiquey looking), oil rubbed bronze or wrought iron.

The updated look doesn't seem cluttered and 'heavy' looking. Great floor textiles w/ fabulous worn colors, lovely tapestries in softer colors. More blues, greens and browns - less red, gold and orange.

I don't get a PB vibe from Jackye Lanham's design.

Here are 2 houses that I often go back to that I would describe as New Old World & I never realized they are both done by the same designer until now!:

My favorite sink area of all time:
http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/antique-wood-home-decor?click=main_sr

and

Here is a link that might be useful: Moody Blues

Thanks everyone.......As one who just got out of the blue, ha! when we moved here 7 yrs ago , I haven't really wanted to jump back on the blue bandwagon totally. I was ahead of the blue phrase with blue & white toile wallpaper in DR in my last house and LR sunny yellow with blue and white accents BUT who knows.......might change around to that again. FC blue & white small checked custom drapes are still upstairs packed up. This new blue seems more of a grayed blue to me though.......almost like a spa blue. Out here on the lake, it is freezing cold in the winter and hot hot in the summer. HOuse is facing west right into the sun all afternoon in the summer and cold wind comes across the lake in the winter blowing straight onto our front. The blue seems like a chilly color to me sometimes but it may just be the direction this house is facing. Am loving all the websites and checking them out........thanks everyone for your helpful info and websites! Bonnie