Thom Filicia knows how you can spot a trend. The inside designer and OG “Queer Eye” decor expert — not to say product designer for Vanguard Furniture, Wendover Art, Eastern Accents and Kravet, amongst other home brands — travels the globe to see the most recent design trends shaping the long run of home.

WWD recently caught up with Filicia on the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina, to search out out what home design trends he sees ahead.

WWD: What are a few of the biggest overall trends you’re seeing in home design?

Tom Filicia: It’s getting a bit more refined, a bit more dressed up, and there’s also this classic silhouette that we’re seeing. I believe this might be true in fashion as well, where comfort has been a driving force in what we’ve been seeing over the past few years. But now there are these hints of more sophisticated, hints of ritual, hints of detail and tradition. These modern forms in each fashion and the house have more structure, and it’s more tailored and buttoned up.

There’s also an actual lean into personalization, people not following a prescribed look or feel. They’re identifying and tying of their aesthetic and their vibe into their spaces to inform a private story. People need to feel connected to their home and the things in it, versus it just being an exquisite space. They need to know the story of every bit and where they found it and why it’s there.

WWD: How is texture getting used in home decor?

T.F.: Texture is unquestionably the brand new color. And layering textures is something that could be very of the moment. Fiddling with daring textures and layering texture on texture with different weights — that’s really beautiful, and it’s inviting and comfy.

WWD: Are there certain fabrics which can be gaining popularity?

T.F.: Velvets are starting to come back into play with quite a lot of these bouclés, which is kind of a latest thing because velvets have this formal, more elegant feel. But mixed with these more casual textures, it’s beginning to create a latest language, should you will, of fashion and luxury meeting.

WWD: What are you seeing with color in the house?

T.F.: There’s a lean into these type of sexy colours which can be starting to come back into play. It was really neutral for some time, this kind of earthy neutral palette. But now we’re beginning to see an actual move into these sexy, wealthy, saturated colours. Color goes to feel refreshing, and it’s going to be exciting, though I believe the colours are going to feel sexier and smokier than vibrant.

WWD: What trends are coming on for wood and finishes?

T.F.: Warmth of wood is becoming really essential, mixed with beautiful metals, having this great depth of materials — it’s not one note. And now there’s more play on multiple finishes, in order that it feels, again, more sophisticated and dialed-up.

WWD: What’s happening with decor and accessories?

T.F.: Art is de facto becoming a spotlight, which is good. Loads of that got here out of COVID-19, where people were sitting at home taking a look at partitions. So I believe there’s an actual give attention to having interesting, artful spaces, whether it’s sculpture or beautiful rugs. You would like things which can be compelling and are interesting together, almost creating multiple storylines happening within the space, which makes it more dynamic.

WWD: How do you suggest people incorporate these trends into their homes?

T.F.: I believe it’s a extremely great moment for design, since it’s not a lot defined by trends because it is more about personal vibes and the sensation. So the secret is working with and adding things which can be of the moment, after which connecting them with things that you could have gravitated toward or loved — things that you just’ve had with you along your journey.