While the Midwest may not be known as a hub of cutting-edge style, the Chippewa Valley is home to a vibrant arts community and plenty of people with taste. To that end, we reached out to a handful of local, professional tastemakers to talk interior design with Volume One for this year’s “Home & Garden” guide.

We asked the same four questions to each designer we connected with: What ‘interior design’ means to them and their specific range of work; Notable and/or emerging trends they have noticed in 2024 and the beginning of 2025; What resources they could recommend to locals for inspiration; and, in recognition of the swift and ever-changing trend cycle, what timeless elements they would recommend.

Marnie Keilholz, owner of Chippewa Falls-based House Blend Lighting & Design, came to the table with over 20 years of expertise. Simply put, the term ‘interior design’ means executing a functional and visually appealing plan for a particular client and space, Keilholz said. House Blend’s services run just about the full gamut: support in selecting paint colors and palettes, to designing an entire house in 3D, with some light commercial projects.

By the end of 2024, Better Homes & Garden noted "adding lush accessories and deep colors"  and "dark wood accents, vintage furniture" encompassed the direction interior design trends were headed.

“The colors and the style are the next layer and add the personality,” she continued. “We have said for years that your furniture and lighting should be, ‘friends – not family.’ ”

“As far as trends, we are seeing the biggest mix of styles we have seen in years. We think there is definitely a movement away from all the white spaces, and the color gray has mostly moved on,” Keilholz said.

Samantha Heimstead, an interior designer at Swanson’s Flooring + Design in Eau Claire – a longtime, locally-owned commercial and residential flooring company that evolved into a dual design servicer in 2022 – also pointed to the step away from minimalism. “Bold personalization has been a major theme with eclectic décor, vintage pieces, and maximalist layering allowing people to express their unique style,” Heimstead said.

In Swanson’s Flooring + Design's commercial work, such vibrancy is not reflected in the same way – but that doesn’t mean things in that realm are stagnant. “In commercial settings such as offices and hospitality spaces, the focus remains on flexible, multipurpose spaces that prioritize comfort and connection over strict, corporate designs – think lounge-style seating and cozy, warm lighting,” she said.

A move toward ‘warmth’ was also affirmed by the team at Lydia’s Interiors. Lydia's works on a wide range of projects, from full remodels to one-room redesigns, to fully custom homes. Sarah-Decker Paul, owner and interior designer, and Michelle Rowekamp, an interior designer at Lydia’s, acknowledged the pull away from blank-slate minimalism, and a return to warmth-evoking design.

Warm colors and vintage-inspired furnishings can help curate a classic and lived-in atmosphere, like the photo at left shared by Pinterest. Color drenching, like the photo at right displays with black, is also an emerging, effective trend.

“The big trend is all the color that we are seeing come back into design. A lot more earthy tones, warm color palettes that embody warmer wood and metal tones,” the duo agreed. “On the opposite end (of) the spectrum, we are also seeing more vintage, Victorian elements. We see this a lot in new fabrics and wallpapers that are becoming very popular.”

Some of you may be thinking, ‘Oh, no – not wallpaper!’ Perhaps flashbacks to illustrative florals and groovy line-work come to mind, but these professionals aren’t talking about that kind of wallpaper.

“Overall, wallpaper has made a huge comeback and can really elevate a space to feel completely custom to our client,” the Lydia’s team said.

Keilholz agreed: “Wallpaper is totally back.”

Pinterest Predicts called it: 2025 would be all about mix-and-match personalization. While warm neutrals continue to trend, bold colors and playful patterns are 'in' too, like those at left. Expanding on the latter, wallpaper is having a moment again as well, embracing organic patterns.

These local interior designs have found textures and organic, natural elements are common threads from decor to furniture, to color palettes for painting and flooring, and even lighting and finishings. Yet, while each designer we connected with shared some similar thoughts on the current trend-scape, they also work with slightly different clientele, and brought up individual observations as well.

“One of our most important beliefs at Lydia’s Interiors is to practice ‘Dopamine Décor,’ ” Decker-Paul and Rowekamp said. “That is the trend of decorating with elements that make you happy when you walk into the room instead of just focusing on what the current trends are, because those trends might not always relate to the aesthetic that is most pleasing to you.”

Neutral doesn't have to equal boring. Brass hardware and metal-tone mixing are seeing a revival as well, as pictured in Better Homes & Gardens.

Heimstead encouraged people to pull inspiration from their own cultural heritage, nature, and even art history; Keilholz said most of House Blend’s clientele is not interested in changing things up year after year, focusing on longevity and personality.

However, all connected on a common theme: your space should be a reflection of you.

That said, for those of us who aren’t sure what we’re looking for and just want to shake things up this season, the interior designers suggested a mix of online platforms and print media for inspiration: Pinterest and Instagram, Houzz, online marketplaces like Anthropologie Home, and traditional sources like Elle Decor and Better Homes and Gardens magazines or HGTV.

Get in touch with House Blend Lighting & Design (215 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls) via email at hbstudio1@icloud.com; Swanson's Flooring + Design (5840 Arndt Lane, Eau Claire) via email at nicolei@swansonsflooring.com; and Lydia's Interiors (3460 Mall Dr., #4, Eau Claire) via email at designers@lydiasgallery.com.