Design 2011: Old-School Prep and Modern Prep
Signs the Preppy Look is Coming Home Again
In 2010, 30 years after the publication of The Official Preppy Handbook, prep expert and author Lisa Birnbach re-emerged with True Prep. The book describes how the world of preppies has stayed the same in a lot of ways, but also how it has modernized, no longer limited to WASPs named Buffy who went to Exeter.
Other signs of this new preppy zeitgeist in pop culture include the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network, those contrived preppy tailgating commercials about "The Hilfingers," the Florida version of prepster on the sets of Cougartown, the continued popularity of L.L. Bean products and a fashion-forward first lady who regularly dons J. Crew togs. Prep is back big time, and in 2011, it is moving into the house.
As a born prep who has had a Bean's Norwegian sweater in my closet for the past 29 years (the same one), whose first job was at a Pappagallo store, who attended the University of Virginia and who has spent her fair share of time in broken down Volvos on Cape Cod, I am a self-proclaimed expert on the topic. The preppy trend has moved into the world of interior design in the classic way and in new interpretations. Here are some pairings of old school preppy and modern preppy.
Other signs of this new preppy zeitgeist in pop culture include the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network, those contrived preppy tailgating commercials about "The Hilfingers," the Florida version of prepster on the sets of Cougartown, the continued popularity of L.L. Bean products and a fashion-forward first lady who regularly dons J. Crew togs. Prep is back big time, and in 2011, it is moving into the house.
As a born prep who has had a Bean's Norwegian sweater in my closet for the past 29 years (the same one), whose first job was at a Pappagallo store, who attended the University of Virginia and who has spent her fair share of time in broken down Volvos on Cape Cod, I am a self-proclaimed expert on the topic. The preppy trend has moved into the world of interior design in the classic way and in new interpretations. Here are some pairings of old school preppy and modern preppy.
Old-School Prep: An unassuming pool house with a daybed for guests.
Modern Prep: The pool house keeps the classic lines but has more space to house that financially overextended relative who doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon.
Old-School Prep: Subdued plaid upholstery in the living room.
Old-School Prep: Gingham all over the sofas.
Modern Prep: Burberry Novacheck "thrown" on the sofas.
Old-School Prep: Tartan paired with steamer trunks.
Modern Prep: Tartan paired with high-gloss walls.
Old-School Prep: There's no such thing as clutter. Or "musty."
Modern Prep: We believe in clean lines. Not "dusty."
Old-School Prep: Hand-me-down Oriental rugs, drop-leaf tables and gingham.
New Prep: Zigzag rugs, glass tables and blue velvet.
Old-School Prep: Monograms and pineapple.
Modern Prep: Monograms and marble.
Old-School Prep: Ticking stripes, peeling paint, and faded roses.
Modern Prep: Bold stripes, lacquer paint and giraffe sconces.
Old-School Prep: Heavy handed use of preppy color combinations like pink and green.
Modern Prep: A white palette accented by bits of preppy color combinations like yellow and green.
Modern Prep: Trellis, West Elm wood chairs, and a vintage Saarinen (note she has a classic monogrammed tote from Bean's!).
Old-School Prep: Casually tossed racquets in the mudroom.
Modern Prep: Cheeky racquet prints on the wall.