The look, which mixes color, pattern, texture, cultures, shapes and eras, lacks a rigid definition, but you’ll know it when you see it. The aesthetic can be rooted in 1980s excess, or traditional, classic styles, or even evoke a bohemian vibe.
“Maximalism is about surrounding yourself with the things that you love,” Smith said. “It can be art, decor, furniture, anything at all, but it all boils down to layering those things beautifully together in a strategic way. For me, the goal is to always create a ‘wow’ factor.”
Smith has brought the design concept to life in her Irvington, N.J., home by incorporating bold colors, strong shapes, geometric patterns, African decorative pieces and art of Black people by Black artists. She is also turning old family photos into art as a nod to her Grenada heritage.
New Orleans-based interior designer Melissa Rufty is known for adding a…
