Interior designer Jonny Carmack has created a unique "fruit room" in his home located in Danbury, Connecticut. The space is adorned with colorful faux produce, featuring a cherry-shaped ceiling fixture, a strawberry side table, and various decorative items that celebrate fruits and vegetables.
This trend of integrating food motifs into home decor extends beyond just kitchens, showcasing a broader cultural embrace of sustainability and a joyful connection to nature. Carmack describes this movement as a form of escapism, serving as a cause for conversation and celebration. Rachel Hardage Barrett, the editor-in-chief of Country Living magazine, adds that this fascination with produce reflects a longing for a pastoral lifestyle that many seek today.
Barrett notes that the trend intersects with increased interests in gardening, wellness, and antique designs. One of the recent fads, "Tomato Girl Summer," spotlighted red hues and featured tomatoes, invoking imagery of Mediterranean cafes and leisurely summer days. She remarks that this trend has expanded, showcasing everything from cabbage and radishes to strawberries and peaches.
Nostalgia plays a significant role in this design shift. Cabbage and lettuce motifs, which were prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries, are seeing a revival. Cabbageware and lettuce ware became fashionable among the Palm Beach crowd in the 1960s, attracting the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy and Frank Sinatra. Barrett mentions that Target has launched a cabbageware-inspired collection, which has gained immense popularity on platforms like TikTok.
Social media significantly influences this fruity decor trend. In 2023, a lemon-shaped ceramic stool at HomeGoods became an instant hit, selling out quickly. This fad contributes to a growing market for furniture shaped like citrus fruits, underscoring the playful nature of the current design landscape.
Recent design fairs in Paris and Frankfurt showcased an array of vibrant produce-themed decor, making booths resemble lively fruit markets. Exhibitors displayed planters adorned with 3D grapes and watermelons, mirrors surrounded by peapods, and tableware featuring tomatoes. Cushions and vases reflected a similar aesthetics, incorporating playful fruit designs. Los Angeles-based design editor Courtney Porter observed that designers are adopting exaggerated and cartoonish shapes, emphasizing youthfulness and a healthy lifestyle.
Carmack’s "Fruit Room" has gained significant attention due to its whimsical elements inspired by Dr. Seuss and the video game "Animal Crossing." He describes fruits like cherries as flirty and fun, while strawberries represent a cutesier, sweeter vibe, contributing to the room's cheerful ambiance.
Cookbook author Alyse Whitney has embraced what is sometimes referred to as the "Grocery Girl" aesthetic. Her home features whimsical decor such as a metal mushroom wreath and a ceramic stool shaped like a lemon, along with numerous banana-themed items. Whitney has been passionate about food-themed decor all her life, often sourcing unique pieces from thrift stores and estate sales, including Murano-style glass produce items like bell peppers and peaches.
Barrett asserts that this trend accommodates various decorating styles. Those preferring retro themes can opt for kitsch, while those seeking a more refined look might choose fruit motifs represented in wallpaper or fabric designs. The overarching theme of this movement is self-expression, as individuals showcase their love for fruits and vegetables through their home decor.
