Homeowners are turning away from hip modernism in favour of more comforting designs, an expert has said.Interior designer Peter Dunham told azcentral.com that people are less interested in chic styles following the economic downturn and instead want more traditional and authentic kitchen features.He noted that thanks to the growth of flea markets and thrift stores, there are now many opportunities for homeowners to pick up attractive and affordable craft materials.People arent doing the full-scale bathroom and kitchen redos they were a few years ago. But they can easily perk up a room with textiles or a new lamp, he said.Elsewhere design blogger Patricia Shackelford told the website she expected to see people use more nostalgic items to decorate their kitchens such as patchwork quilts and hooked rugs.Last month, Sally Bendelow, head of home design at Marks and Spencer, told the Belfast Telegraph that the kitchens status as the focal point of the home would encourage more people to test out new designs this year.