Past to present
Just like fashion, interior design looks to the past for inspiration — and after the all-white walls and pared back minimalism of the last decade, retro and vintage influences are back — bringing personality, warmth and a touch of nostalgia to homes.
Updated for today, these looks combine colour, timeless style and crafted pieces to create spaces that are layered, with stories to tell. PDL’s range fits into this seamlessly while offering smart home automation that lets you curate your home even further.
Inspiration from the past
Two styles driving this retro revival are Neo Deco — a modern take on 1920s Art Deco — and Modern Cottagecore, a refreshed take on country chic.
Neo Deco reinterprets Art Deco with a more restrained approach, with geometric forms, metallic accents, rich textures, and moody tones. Use highlight pieces like brass-trimmed cabinets or jewel-toned velvet sofas, or extend it kitchens and bathrooms with glossy cabinetry, marble details, brushed brass tapware, and bold tiles.
More retro-influenced design trends
Modern Cottagecore combines rustic warmth with cleaner lines and natural textures, creating a cosy yet contemporary feel without the frill of the 1980s version. Think floral patterns, handmade textiles, natural materials, and curated pieces. You can also try moodier tones like forest green, aged wood, and iron accents.
Other retro influences include Mid-century Modern, with warm woods, deep tones, sculptural furniture, and functional, flowing forms inspired by the 1960s and 70s.
Choose the ideal electrical products
You’ll find the perfect finishing touch for these design styles with PDL switches and power points.
Complete a Neo Deco or Mid-century Modern interior with the refined look of the Clipsal Solis™ T Series, brought to you by PDL. This premium range evokes simple luxury with thin, flush covers in brushed brass and aluminium finishes. Modernist perfect square edges and toggle switches add to the sense of craftsmanship.
On the other hand, PDL Iconic Essence is the ideal addition to any Modern Cottagecore home, bringing a subtle touch of the outdoors into every room with its rounded timber surround.
Both ranges are compatible with PDL Wiser Smart Home too, letting you tailor and manage every space.
Curate your home with Wiser
The Wiser range includes a variety of products that give you easy control from your smart device via the Wiser by SE app. You can link and schedule everything from lights to heating, blinds to security features, third party appliances, and even individual power points.
Today’s vintage and retro styling uses lighting to great effect and Wiser can help you make the most of this. Lamplight is an essential part of Modern Cottagecore style — the aim is for soft, diffused light that adds warmth. Use Wiser to schedule lamps to come on at dusk, making rooms feel cosy or to create a welcoming feel in the front hallway as people arrive home.
For Neo Deco, lighting is treated as a decorative element, such as sculptural chandeliers, fluted glass pendant lights, and ornate wall sconces in brushed brass or chrome. With Wiser you can set these lights to always come on at a certain time so you can enjoy them every evening without having to think about it.
An intuitive life with Wiser
Wiser can make everyday tasks simpler and more intuitive too. Use the Wiser by SE app to check if lights have been left on around the house after you leave in the morning (and turn them off if needed) or receive a notification if a door or window open unexpectedly. You can set extraction fans in the laundry or bathroom to trigger if the humidity gets above a certain level or have your home’s heating activate if the temperature drops.
The clever Wiser Moments feature lets you link several activities for a single purpose too. An ‘Evening Moment’ might close the blinds around your home, turn on any exterior lights at the front of the property, and dim the interior lights to a certain level — all with a single screen tap. Or a ‘Morning Moment’ could open your bedroom blinds at a set time, activate the air conditioning system to a preset level in the living area, and turn on the towel rails in your bathroom.
With Wiser, you can add ease to the everyday while bringing your vintage styling to life in a home that’s as smart as it is beautiful to live in.
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