May 2025 | Food Aesthetics

If you are a nineties girl like me you have to remember Tonka’s cupcake girl dolls. Ok, if you don’t even have a slight image in mind then we can’t be friends really. I was obsessed with this toy. Cupcake girl was a little doll that had a plisse silicone skirt that when turned upside down it formed a cupcake and the girls hat was shaped as a cupcake frosting. So this little girl could easily transform from a doll to a yummy cupcake. Simply amazing in my eyes. Little did I know why I loved it so much or that the food aesthetics movement would conquer the world of interiors many years after and I would be the one writing an editorial about it.

What then seemed like a novelty is now a dominating theme in visual culture—one that blurs the lines between edible art and high-end design.

Over the past decade, food aesthetics have quietly but powerfully infiltrated interior design, fashion, and marketing—transforming how we see, consume, and desire everything from our meals to our wardrobes and living spaces. The glossy donut-style editorials, the fruity pastels in home decor, and the rise of brands like Rhode by Hailey Bieber have brought food connotations into the forefront of luxury design and merchandising in ways that are both deliciously unexpected and endlessly chic.

From vibrant, glossy photography to fluid, liquid-like textures that mimic the look of candy and desserts, we’ve witnessed an entire aesthetic revolution.

Color palettes inspired by juicy citrus fruits, rich chocolate tones, and ice cream pastels have infiltrated collections from major fashion houses too. Prada, Balenciaga, and even emerging designers have embraced this trend more than ever, playing with the idea of visual consumption.

In interior design, this trend is most visible through the resurgence of pastel hues and sculptural forms that draw inspiration from fruit, candy, and even breakfast favorites.

Whether it’s a watermelon-hued sofa, a hot dog sculptured candle, a Strawberry bowl from Bordallo Pinheiro  or Seletti’s Banana Lamp , these fruity design elements are the perfect embodiment of the fusion between high fashion and playful food culture. The juxtaposition of vibrant, zesty hues with sleek, modern lines creates a striking balance of fun and sophistication. All of these objects transcend their utilitarian purpose to become pieces of art that make the room feel alive with color, texture, and movement. These objects are not merely functional; they are designed to engage with our senses, to delight us in the same way a beautifully plated dessert might.

Consider the rise of pastel interiors, where sugary shades of pistachio green, pale lavender, and buttery yellow create a palette as sweet and satisfying as a confectionary display. The rise of candy-colored furniture, with its glossy, tactile surfaces, invites a new take on luxury—one that feels whimsical yet undeniably high-end. These food-inspired tones work in perfect harmony with the textures and forms found in contemporary design, creating an atmosphere of elegance without taking itself too seriously.

Materials such as lacquered wood, glossy ceramics, and metallic finishes evoke the luscious, syrupy shine of confectionery, while soft, plush upholstery feels as decadent as a cream-filled pastry.

Food aesthetics in interior design speak to a larger cultural movement towards indulgence, self-care, and the celebration of life’s simplest pleasures. In a way, this trend is about more than just food—it’s about the larger pursuit of pleasure. It is a visual pleasure that transcends the ordinary, elevating our homes into spaces that not only look good but feel good.

An irresistible world where the art of living is not just about what you wear or where you live, but how every moment is savored.

ELENI NODARAKI

Creative Editorial Director

Write to me on eleni@decorationrunway.com