Layla Zulfa
The contemporary interior design landscape is witnessing a significant pivot toward high-gloss finishes, a movement characterized by the transition of lacquer from a traditional decorative accent to a primary architectural element. This shift is exemplified by the recent design choices of industry leaders such as Athena Calderone and Mark Grattan, whose recent projects signal a departure from the matte, "quiet luxury" palettes that dominated the previous decade. While their individual aesthetics differ—Calderone favoring a refined, sculptural approach and Grattan leaning into bold, experimental forms—they are united by a shared reliance on statement lacquer to define space. This trend is not merely a localized phenomenon within high-end New York residential design but is a verified global movement supported by major luxury fashion houses and mass-market retailers alike.
The current trajectory of lacquer in 2024 and 2025 marks a sophisticated evolution of the material’s application. Historically, lacquer was reserved for freestanding furniture pieces—most notably during the Art Deco and Hollywood Regency periods. However, recent data from architectural portfolios indicates a surge in "lacquered built-ins." From the oxblood lacquer kitchen island in Athena Calderone’s Tribeca apartment to the parrot green lacquer framing in Mark Grattan’s Brooklyn residence, the material is increasingly used to form the permanent contours of a room. This structural integration suggests that lacquer has moved beyond being a "finishing touch" and has become a fundamental component of interior millwork.
The Historical Context and Technical Evolution of Lacquer
To understand the current resurgence, one must examine the material’s deep historical roots. Lacquer’s origins date back thousands of years to East Asia, particularly Japan and China, where the sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree was harvested to create a durable, waterproof, and heat-resistant finish known as urushi. This traditional process was labor-intensive, requiring dozens of thin layers, each dried in a humid, dust-free environment and polished to a mirror-like sheen. By the 17th and 18th centuries, "japanned" furniture became a staple of European luxury, eventually evolving into the sleek, synthetic-based applications seen in the 20th century.
The mid-20th century marked the "Hollywood Regency" era, where designers like Billy Haines and Karl Springer utilized high-gloss surfaces to create "cinematic" environments for the era’s elite. Lacquer was prized for its ability to reflect light, adding a sense of drama and depth to interiors that were designed to be photographed and admired. The current "lacquer renaissance" draws heavily from this theatrical legacy but applies it with modern technical precision. Today’s designers utilize high-performance automotive paints and advanced industrial coatings to achieve levels of saturation and durability that were previously impossible, allowing for its use in high-traffic areas like kitchens and media rooms.
Chronology of the 2024 Resurgence
The timeline for the current high-gloss trend can be traced through several key industry milestones over the past 24 months. In early 2024, Architectural Digest officially heralded the return of lacquer as a dominant trend, citing a move away from the "all-beige" aesthetic. This was followed by a major cultural confirmation during Milan Design Week (Salone del Mobile) in April 2024. Gucci, under the creative direction of Sabato De Sarno, presented a splashy exhibit that utilized a deep, glossy burgundy—dubbed "Rosso Ancora"—across furniture and architectural installations. This move by a major fashion house signaled to the design world that high-gloss finishes were once again at the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist.
By mid-2024, the trend had trickled down from bespoke luxury to the mass market. Retailers began launching collections that prioritized reflective surfaces. West Elm’s collaboration with social media influencer Emma Chamberlain featured lacquered lamps and storage consoles, while IKEA introduced the "Selsviken" high-gloss dark olive green doors for its Bestå storage system. This democratization of the material allowed a broader demographic to incorporate the high-gloss look into their homes, moving the trend from an exclusive designer preference to a widespread consumer demand.
Supporting Data and Market Expansion
Market analysis of the home furnishings sector reveals a growing consumer appetite for "investment pieces" that offer high visual impact. According to recent retail trends reports, sales of high-gloss furniture and hardware have seen a year-over-year increase as homeowners look for ways to make small spaces feel more expansive. The science of the "shininess" effect plays a role here; Aurélien Raymond, co-founder of the Paris-based design studio Akademos, notes that the human eye is naturally drawn to reflective surfaces because they create an illusion of depth and movement.
The expansion of the trend is also visible in the diversification of the color palette. While traditional lacquer was often black, red, or white, the 2025 iterations embrace "petroleum green," "oxblood," and "parrot green." Broadway producer Jordan Roth’s New York City townhouse serves as a case study for this expanded palette, featuring petroleum green millwork that serves as a backdrop for high-fashion art and couture details. Similarly, a 646-square-foot apartment designed by Atelier HA demonstrates how shiny red kitchen cabinets can offset Memphis-style tiling, proving that lacquer is as effective in compact, maximalist spaces as it is in sprawling luxury lofts.
Industry Reactions and Design Philosophy
Professional designers have reacted to this trend by emphasizing the "theatrical" and "cinematic" qualities of the material. The term "mise-en-scène" is frequently used to describe modern lacquered interiors, suggesting that homes are now being designed with the same level of curation as a film set. This is particularly relevant in the era of social media, where the "grid" (Instagram) dictates much of how design is consumed. A lacquered ceiling, like the one designed by GL Veneer for Calderone’s media room, provides a perfect reflective surface for photography, capturing light in a way that matte paint cannot.
Aurélien Raymond of Studio Akademos emphasizes that lacquer is used to "underline details we wish people to notice." This sentiment is echoed by Miles Redd, a designer known for his use of bold color and high-gloss finishes in California Colonial Revivals. Redd’s work often features lacquered doors and bar cabinets that act as "jewel boxes" within a room. The consensus among these professionals is that lacquer provides a level of "polish" and "intentionality" that signals a high level of craftsmanship, even when applied to contemporary, minimalist forms.
Broader Impact and Future Implications
The broader impact of the lacquer trend extends beyond aesthetics into the realm of architectural psychology. High-gloss surfaces change the way occupants perceive light and volume. In urban environments where natural light may be limited, a lacquered wall or ceiling can effectively double the perceived light in a room by acting as a secondary light source. This functional benefit, combined with the material’s glamorous associations, suggests that the high-gloss trend will have more longevity than a typical seasonal fad.
Furthermore, the rise of "DIY lacquer" projects indicates a shift in how consumers interact with their living spaces. With the availability of high-quality gloss enamels and spray-painting techniques, the barrier to entry for achieving a lacquered look has lowered. This has led to a surge in customized furniture and upcycled vintage pieces, further fueling the material’s presence in the digital design community.
Looking forward, the integration of lacquer into "smart" interiors is a likely next step. As designers experiment with back-lit lacquered panels and integrated technology, the material’s ability to diffuse and reflect light will be utilized in increasingly technical ways. The collaboration between Crate & Barrel and celebrity designers, scheduled for release in late 2025, is expected to lean heavily into these "new-age" lacquered finishes, suggesting that the industry’s largest players are fully committed to the material’s future.
Conclusion
The resurgence of statement lacquer is a multi-faceted movement that bridges the gap between ancient craftsmanship and modern industrial design. By moving from freestanding furniture to structural built-ins, lacquer has reclaimed its status as a primary medium of self-expression for the world’s most influential designers. Whether through the luxury installations of Athena Calderone and Mark Grattan or the accessible collections of West Elm and IKEA, the "cinematic" quality of high-gloss finishes is redefining the modern home. As the design world continues to move away from the muted tones of the past, the bold, reflective, and deeply saturated world of lacquer stands as a testament to the enduring human desire for glamour, depth, and a touch of the theatrical in everyday life. The "lacquer renaissance" is not merely a return to a previous style; it is a sophisticated re-imagining of a timeless finish for a new, highly visual era.
