The Subtle Design Trend We're Seeing Everywhere Right Now

We can't stop thinking of fluting lately—and no, it's not because of Lizzo's showstopping performance last night. The instrument is nice and all, but what's really captured our interest is the decorative detail: a surface that has been grooved to create repeating scallop-shaped ridges. Over the past few years, fluting has been most common on dresser fronts and tables (and even spawned quite a few DIY tutorials), but lately we're seeing it used in far more creative applications. At the annual Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in Dallas last week, the motif popped up on everything from millwork to upholstery to natural stone—and we loved each iteration more than the last. The versatile treatment strikes the perfect balance between modern and classic, offering unique texture without feeling too ornate (especially when realized in an oversized scale or unexpected material). Read on to see how some of the country's top designers incorporate fluting in myriad ways.