Full dose porcelain tray, £40, from Jonathan Adler at Selfridges
(Picture: Jonathan Adler)An article in The Cut written by Allison P. Davis went viral recently; it’s all about the ‘Vibe Shift’, a term coined by astute trend-forecaster Sean Monahan who, incidentally, was also the inventor of the word ‘normcore’.
In short, a vibe shift means there’s a change happening in the zeitgeist and we can choose to roll with it, or not.
As Sean was early to observe and Allison articulated so well, some people are ready for a return to hedonism after two years feeling cooped up and restrained.
They’re chasing thrills and excitement again with a devil-may-care attitude not seen since the indie debauchery of 2005, when we were all younger and not yet worn down by life, joint ache, or a global pandemic.
The last restrictions have lifted and – in purely coincidental timing — we’ve just seen celebrity photographer Dave Benett’s solo exhibition at JD Malat Gallery (on until March 8).
It’s called ‘Great Shot, Kid’ and features some of his most iconic party photos of ‘90s legends such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Carla Bruni. If you need a primer to remind you how to party, the supermodels and ladettes captured chain-smoking at parties and dancing on tabletops will do it.
And while nobody’s suggesting you should develop a new smoking habit just to look cool (nostalgia is one thing but leave the peer pressure to the actual teens), nor should you destroy perfectly good furniture by stomping on it, there’s an undeniable desire to have fun again.
The vibe shift is here and we’re dusting-off our homes, ready to party like it’s 1999, or 2019, at least. It has to be said, though, a party doesn’t need to mean a ruined table top.
We’re all adults here and we’ve invested well in our side tables and counter tops, so ace your coaster game with Rebecca Udall’s waxed linen playing card designs (£40 for four).
It’s always good to have a snack to line your stomach (or dress a martini with), and if there was such a thing as an iconic olive, a can of Perello would be it (£2.60).
Colourful coupes are the only way to drink Champagne (keep an emergency bottle in the fridge – there’s always something to celebrate). Get yours from London design duo, Campbell Rey (£210 for two).
Cigarette smoking’s back, apparently (that’s what we’ve heard – don’t shoot the messenger). Whether you use this as a trinket dish or an ashtray, nod to the ‘trend’ with Jonathan Adler’s porcelain graphic dish (£40).
If you have a drink, you’ll need a drinks table while your hands are busy doing the Saturday Night dance, this un-fussy pedestal table should do the trick.
Lastly, what’s a party without a bit of tinsel? Shimmy while your kitchen shimmers under the silver strands of this cheap-and-cheerful chandelier (£34).
