Taylor Swift Eras Themed Interiors
Two things everyone knows about me; I’m obsessed with interiors, and I’m obsessed with Taylor Swift. The former has been apparent for as long as I can remember, and the later was realised in 2006 when a curly-haired girl similar in age to myself released her first single, Tim McGraw. I stumbled upon it on YouTube and felt an instant kinship with the storytelling. I’ve followed her career closely ever since, and have learnt to let go of my “You used to laugh at me for liking her!” gatekeeping and feel pride in the community of women and girls who feel seen in Taylor’s lyricism.
You’d have to be living under a rock to not know that the record-breaking Eras Tour is hitting Dublin this weekend. It’s Taylor’s first tour since 2018’s reputation Tour. Loverfest was scheduled for the summer of 2020 but, well, we all know what happened that year. And while the rest of us were doing Zoom quizzes and baking banana bread, Taylor wrote, recorded and released an album- folklore- all in isolation. And then another one- evermore. And then, as life got back to normal, another one- Midnights. Do the math, and it means a lot of Taylor’s music never got its standalone tour. Until the pandemic hit, each album, each phase of life and each era got its time to live and breathe and connect with a live audience. But as of 2023, Taylor had a body of work that had never been performed live to condense into one show.
As the opening line of the show goes, it’d “been a long time coming”, when finally, the end of the pandemic allowed Taylor to celebrate 18 years’ worth of music. As a nod to the era in which the music was initially released, The Eras Tour’s stage design, costumes and visuals are a callback to her style of the time. And each of these albums, or eras, had their own very definite aesthetic.
A natural continuation, for sure, but also a reflection of growing up, evolving and where her life was at the time. The wholesome innocence of her debut, made in Nashville when she was 16, the whimsy of Speak Now made as all of her dreams were coming true, to the darkness and irony of reputation. The much-needed escapism of the pandemic-time nature-inspired albums folklore and evermore, and the more mature retro, urban imagery Midnights all evoke their own kind of picture. That’s translated into the tour so well, but how would it look in our own homes?
As an experienced interiors writer and qualified Swiftologist, I’ve investigated.
Self-titled
I have such a soft spot for Taylor’s debut, self-titled album. The authenticity of storytelling in country music is hard to beat, and this album is a really honest reflection of what it feels like to be growing up.
Aesthetic: prairie, rustic, butterflies and cowboy boots
Fearless
Fearless was a more polished production, filled with all the ups and downs of being 18 years old and believing in love stories. Teenage country-pop at its best.
Aesthetic: gold, sparkles, period-inspired
Speak Now
The Speak Now era was probably one of my favourites. By this stage, Taylor was being taken seriously as a hard-working, well-travelled businesswoman, but was still grabbing on to her whimsy and personal touch in a way that solidified the bond she held with her fanbase. She used to post a lot online during this time; showing fans a glimpse into her everyday style, her hobbies and her newly renovated Alice in Wonderland-themed Nashville home.
Aesthetic: Romantic, whimsical, flea market, nostalgia
Oval Antique Gold Photo Frame from EZ Living Furniture
RED
Although the original tour aesthetics for RED in 2012 were slick and cohesive, the actual album was more of a patchwork quilt of various textures, styles and voices. Some patches, or songs, were bubble-gum pop, some were pissed-off dubstep. Some were old-timey bops and some were cosy, evocative heartbreakers.
Aesthetic: Parisian, autumnal, 1960s
1989
As she was making 1989, Taylor moved to a loft in New York City, became vocal about celebrating youth, growth and cheering other women along in their journeys. The title, 1989, refers not only to the year of her birth, but to the 1980s synth-pop inspiration behind the album.
Aesthetic: 1980s, urban, youthful
reputation
reputation, was the ultimate “If you know, you know” album thats lore is probably too vast for me to sum up in these few lines. But the dark, angry, snake imagery used throughout the tour? It was her being ironic and sassy and holding two fingers up to online bullies who had referred to her as “snake”. Aesthetically, it’s my least favourite, but god, do I admire how clever it is.
Aesthetic: moody, dark, serpentine, Game of Thronessque
Lover
Lover showed Taylor shed her snakeskin, her anger and her jadedness and step into the daylight. It’s the musical equivalent of swaying around in a 1970s pair of yellow gingham shorts. Though the bops are cute and airy, they prove that even pink lip gloss can spout out fierce words about gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights and women in politics.
Aesthetic: girly, pastel, romance, rainbow, intentionally tacky
folklore
folklore was made in her antique-filled guest bedroom-turned-recording studio during the first lockdown. It’s summery, nostalgic and speckled with themes of nature. Sonically and aesthetically, this and its successor, evermore, are the most suited to my personal style. Think “sad coastal grandma reminisces on lost love”.
Aesthetic: coastal, meadowy, earthy tones
evermore
evermore was a sister album to folklore and continued on the nature-inspired, cottagecore, folksy escapism. At that time, many of us were locked down, isolated and walks in nature (while overthinking while crying) was all many of us could manage. This album is very much a reflection of that time.
Aesthetic: cosy, autumnal, woodland
Rustic Reach candle holders
Midnights
An eclectic mix of lo-fi dance beats, synth pop and R&B influences, the Midnights album feels like a smoky night in New York. The accompanying artwork aesthetic is retro, ‘70s, shimmery glam. Lavander Hazes and repressed anger. Dying relationships and Bejewelled sparkle. It’s amazing.
Aesthetic: muted jewel tones, 1970s stripes, velvet, mid-century, disco
The Tortured Poets Department
The Tortured Poets Department, as the name might suggest, is a somber, sharp and undeniably unhinged collection of absolute bangers. This is a new release, but so far, the vibes are… Victorian psychiatric ward. What a time to be alive!
Aesthetic: Victorian gothic, monochromatic, vintage stationery, words you’re not entirely sure the meaning of
Vintage Royal typewriter
Pottery from Annadale Brickworks available from The Irish Design Shop
Collins dictionary and thesaurus - for all those big words Taylor comes out with!
