Mushroom Trend Alert: The Glam Pad Investigates

Born in the late 70s, I vividly remember the unfortunate avocado green and harvest gold movement of the time… We had an avocado green kitchen complete with refrigerator, sink, and stove. The wallpaper was an orange and yellow floral and we had bright yellow faux-bamboo chairs in the breakfast room. My aunt collected mushrooms and I’m pretty sure she had this exact canister set. So when this new trend started “popping up” on Instagram, I scratched my head and was terribly curious to learn more. Vogue first reported the trend as it hit the fashion industry last spring, and it has multiplied ever since, making its way into interiors. Today our super-sleuth contributing reporter, Natalie Aldridge, is here to investigate the fungus among us and its spreading popularity amongst the younger generations.

Vintage mushroom canisters via eBay

Fantastic Fungi

by Natalie Aldridge

Here at The Glam Pad, we tend to stray a bit wary of trends. With that said, when an interesting trend sprouts up, we simply must investigate. During the summer of 2021, we began to see mushroom motifs popping up everywhere on our Instagram feed. From tablescapes to needlepoint and everything in between. Many months later these fungi do not seem to be budging. We all seem to spore crazed. Let’s dissect it!

Kate Rheinstein Brodsky
Kate Rheinstein Brodsky
Cutter Brooks and Co.

Funky toadstool motifs came into popularity during the 1960-70s. The era of psychedelia brought on a fascination with fruit and vegetable colors and depictions on everything from kitchenware, textiles, and home trinkets. The mushroom emerged as the most popular stemming from the “magic mushroom” subculture which permeated into the mainstream by way of dress and décor.

Fast forward to the 2020s where toadstools are having a moment of similar fascination. One theory to this obsession is escapism. The brightly dotted fungi called Fly agaric, while not hallucinogenic have long had an enchanting association. Think Alice in Wonderland. Full of sustenance and wrapped in mystery, these fantastic fungi bring on a sense of whimsy and much-needed departure from the chaos of today. Mushrooms too are symbolic of growth and renewal. A much-needed sentiment.

Alice Naylor-Leyland
Alice Naylor-Leyland
Alice Naylor-Leyland

Another nod to the 1970s, the famous mushroom-inspired lamps of the era designed by Verner Panton, Murano, Elio Martinelli, among others are making a huge resurgence. Less literal than the fungi motifs floating around, purveyors of design are recreating this classic silhouette left and right. While this style of lamp is mid-century in sensibility, the variety in color and figuration makes it achievable to work into even the most traditional of homes. The revival of mid-century décor seems to have a large role in the fungi frenzy.

Walmart
Atelier MVM

On a slyer note, could the legalization of “magic mushrooms” in some places of the world be the culprit? The jury is out.

Cutter Brooks and Co.
John Derian Company

Shop our favorite spore-centric picks below:

So what are your thoughts on mushrooms? We personally love antique mushroom botanicals displayed en masse. They are particularly charming in the kitchen, like so.

 

15 COMMENTS

  1. Oh my goodness……my parents built a home in the 70’s and I vividly remember the avocado and gold and the bright wallpaper. I think mom must have shopped at the same store!
    And the mushroom canister set was one of her favorites!! We kids made fun of it.
    Thanks for the walk down memory lane where I will leave all things mushroom. Ha

  2. Andrea, who knew this was a cottage industry? Not I! Interesting article. I’m still open to learning after all these years.

  3. The massing of mushroom prints is truly beautiful and timeless. I would give anything for my mother’s 1968 avocado green refrigerator, built to last for 25+ years! My last fridge didn’t last 5 years, and my brand new 2021 stove broke in 4 months.

  4. Oh yes I was into shrooms back in the day. Now I’m wearing mushrooms. So many things are made from mushrooms, clothes, I’m on the band wagon. Finally I’m with it.

  5. I was a young bride in 1967 and had a set of avocado green appliances. Never a mushroom in sight, though, nor do I recall any of my friends having a mushroom decor item. I think I will leave them. Appliance colors come and go, like everything else, and one day no one will want stainless steel. Just the way it is. But thanks for an interesting look at this trend.

  6. I was married in 1971 and there was no escaping harvest gold and avocado green. I was not sad to see them go. .
    I adore mushrooms raw and cooked but Not decor. Though I have to admit I took a second look at AlIce Naylor-Leyland’s rather fetching display.

  7. Yea I’m good. And by that I mean: no thank you. Even in the late 80’s I vividly remember the orange shag carpet in my grandmother’s living room. Quite frankly if I need a hit of the era I head to her house. Complete with her large mushroom shaped wall clock. – hrplo

  8. I believe that fungi coming into mainstream consciousness has a lot to do with the beneficial surge in microdosing for physical and mental health. And the documentary Fantastic Fungi is very much a piece of this current illumination surrounding these allies.

  9. I think some of this fascination rolls over from Scandinavian Christmas decor from a few years ago. Alas, the U.S. is always a tad behind. The Agaric Mushroom is synonymous with Nisse (gnome figure) and figures largely in a lot of German Decor. I found some fabulous hand carved and painted wood Agaric mushrooms on an Etsy UK site last year. They were actually part of the sellers display, but she had been selling them and had a set available. I believe they were made in Poland. I ADORE these! I have also fallen in love with the Juliska Forest Walk china for Fall.

  10. No I don’t care if mushrooms are chic and trying to sprout a comeback. Been there, didn’t like it before and nor now. Have to say the mushroom motif is prettier than the 70’s

  11. No thanks! I will not relive this theme! My mother had a mushroom themed kitchen in the 70’s – canisters, curtains, wall hangings. It didn’t last long. She couldn’t wait to get rid of it all after a few years. We still laugh about it.
    The only exception is some of the red and white mushroom Christmas ornaments my aunt brought me from Germany (also in the 70’s). I still think they are kind of cute.

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