Fashion and interior design trends are increasingly intertwined, particularly with the rise of social media. As styles evolve in one area, they often influence the other. A prime example is maximalism, which has taken over both the fashion world and home décor.
Fashion designer Rachel Antonoff is a key figure in the maximalist movement. Her label is known for its bold, print-heavy designs that incorporate playful, often food-inspired motifs. From seafood-themed sweaters to a butter tank top, Antonoff’s creations are known for their colorful, joyful energy. In 2023, her farfalle puffer jacket became a must-have item in New York City. As maximalism continues to thrive, Homes & Gardens spoke with Antonoff about how her fashion philosophy can be applied to interior design.
Antonoff has a deep love for patterns, particularly toile. “I’ve always loved interior design, and I’m pretty into prints,” she tells Homes & Gardens. “Toile is my favorite way to bring prints into a room.” Known for its nostalgic, storytelling qualities, toile provides a sense of discovery, which Antonoff finds compelling. “Nothing is more story-specific than a great toile,” she says, reflecting on childhood memories of staring at wallpaper during grown-up dinner parties and imagining stories about the characters depicted.
For Antonoff, toile goes beyond seasonal trends; she sees it as timeless. “I think it’s a style that never really goes out of fashion,” she adds.
When it comes to incorporating toile into a home, Antonoff doesn’t shy away from excess. She embraces the “more is more” mindset. “Nothing makes me happier than different toiles in the same room or even in the same upholstery scheme,” she explains. She likens each toile pattern to a snowflake, unique yet unified in its aesthetic. “There are so many different layouts and formats. I think toile can be used anywhere and everywhere.”
This holiday season, Antonoff is taking an unconventional approach to toile by incorporating it into her kitchen décor. She has partnered with Pepperidge Farm to create a limited-edition cookie jar collection, available from November 19 to 22. The jars feature three distinct patterns, offering a fun, festive touch to her colorful kitchen.
Antonoff views these cookie jars as more than just kitchenware—they’re a source of comfort and a design statement. “A cookie jar can be the main attraction of a kitchen,” she says. “It’s such a low-lift design, but something that people will always remember.”
For those looking to bring toile into their own homes, Antonoff’s enthusiasm for mixing prints can be easily applied with a range of décor items, from peel-and-stick wallpaper to throw blankets.
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