Decorating and interior design trends and takeaways from Utah’s 2024 St. George Area Parade of Homes
Pondering your next decorating move? Take your lead from the recent 2024 St. George Area Parade of Homes, where talented builders, designers and architects presented 25 homes loaded with design inspiration and ideas. While these teams presented an engaging mix of unique styles and perspectives, we spotted some prevalent trends, and here are ten that stood out.
FABULOUS FLUTING
Fluted and ribbed elements continue to make waves in the design world, and we saw it showcased brilliantly in countless ways—from custom cabinetry and 3-d tiles to glass door panels and even full-scale wall treatments. In a Desert Color Resort home built by Split Rock Custom Homes with interiors by Becki Owens, dramatically overscaled fluting brings a rhythmic and sculptural quality to a wall, infusing the space with an architectural interest and modern elegance.
EARTHY COLORS
Shade of white and cream dominated most of the homes’ interiors, but there were engaging—and sometimes surprising—hits of color that turned heads while adding depth and drama. Given the area’s red rocks and natural deserts, it’s not surprising that many of these colors were earthy tones including mossy green, rich clay, warm taupe and dark charcoal. In a charming home built by American Heritage Homes, designers Yvonne Christensen and Nichole Speirs of House West Design used all of these feel-good colors—and more—as accents throughout the decor, including this elegant primary bedroom.
LAVISH OUTDOOR LIVING
A passion for opulent outdoor living spaces continues to thrive in Southern Utah with an unapologetic flair for extravagance. Picture sprawling patios adorned with chic lounges, outdoor kitchens and shaded dining spaces. Imagine large pools teamed with fire features, spas and unique water elements. In a custom Stone Cliff home, builder Wayne Anderson of Anderson Custom Homes teamed with designer Allison Campbell to create a house where lavish indoor/outdoor living is seamless and amenities flourish at every turn.
BOOK SMARTS
Books aren’t just for filling shelves, and in many every beautifully finished Parade home decors, books performed as art displayed in inventive and sometimes plentiful ways. Large books were placed open, inviting page turning of their photo-filled pages. Others were stacked to create stages for accessories, and still others anchored tablescapes with their size and scale. Designers Yvonne Christensen and Nichole Speirs of House West Design used their book smarts throughout a home built by American Heritage Homes. In one striking vignette, they stacked volumes like intellectual sculptures and also placed them haphazardly on a nearby bench. These books transcended mere reading material, being transformed into curated art installations.
SCULPTURAL SCONCES
The use of wall sconces as luminous sculptures is all the rage these days, and there were many beautifully executed examples of this on display. In a Stone Cliff home built by K.H Traveller Custom Homes, designer Kami Olmstead placed two jewelry-like fixtures on a paneled wall, casting a sophisticated glow that transforms the surface into a gallery of captivating light and form.
SHAPELY STAIRCASES
In well designed homes, staircases aren’t just about going up or down; they’re a thoughtful dance between utility and aesthetics, making each climb an intentional part of the architectural experience. In a Desert Color Resort home built by Cedar Pointe Homes, a curved plaster staircase gracefully ascends, embodying simplicity and sleek modernity with a sculptural design that complements the dwelling’s relaxed, contemporary vibe.
CURVES AND SWERVES
Arced forms and rounded lines continue to deliver comfort and unique style to today’s interiors. Design pros celebrate curves with more than just furnishings, extending their appeal to architecture, walls and even windows. In a Stone Cliff home built by Adams & Company Construction with interiors by CopperHaus Design, a remarkably curved glass wall encloses a light-filled hallway, creating a dynamic and organic aesthetic that fosters fluidity, spatial intrigue and a sense of wonder, indoors and out.
STRIKING TUB AND SHOWER COMBOS
If this Parade of Homes’ projects are any indication, the popularity of wet rooms is waning. Instead, many of the homes’ bathrooms seamlessly married functionality with opulence by pairing standalone showers (adorned with premium fixtures) with shapely freestanding tubs. In a home created by Jensen + Sons Construction and Juniper Design Collective, the independent lux shower and tub serve as a single focal point within the primary bathroom.
PLASTER FINISHES
As designers strive to deliver more warmth and interest to rooms predominantly enclosed by plain white walls, many look to the age-old use of Venetian plaster and similar decorative finishes to add character and interest to their clients’ homes. Juniper Design Collective’s Janel Jensen did exactly that, using a Venetian plaster to accentuate the soaring range hood in a custom home built by Jensen + Sons Construction.
FUN & GAMES
The decorative use of stylish game boards was a welcome addition to a number of the home’s decors, seamlessly merging playful nostalgia with contemporary aesthetics. Some were wall mounted while others were integrated into quirky and conversation-starting furniture pieces, including charming side tables like the one chosen by designer Becki Owens for an Ivins home built by Split Rock Custom Homes.