As interior designers, we are often asked to help our clients achieve a timeless look, one that they will love for years to come, one that will feel as fresh and inspiring as the day it was finished. We are going to share with you some secrets behind achieving a timeless look.
Neutral Colour Palette
Central to the concept of a timeless design is a neutral palette. Think greys, whites, sage green and a huge variety of hues. By keeping base finishes versatile, you can update as needed. Soothing tones and a cohesive palette will be a great choice if you want to ensure your choices stand the test of time.
Natural Elements
Nature will always feature in interiors. Use finishes that have been around for centuries such as wood, glass, plaster, brass, stone and natural textures like linen and wool. Exposed brick walls and natural stone countertops work brilliantly, and wood flooring is another great way to harness nature in your home. Herringbone floors have been around for centuries and still look good today. Keep them modern by using a jumbo plank size and ensuring there isn’t too much contrast in the wood tones, or the look becomes too busy.
Work With What You’ve Got
Work with the architectural style of your home and highlight its features, this will always pave the path to longevity. An industrial style for a loft, a mid-century design in a 1960s home, or an art deco scheme in a 1920s house are some examples of how to work this. When interiors match architecture, it will always feel relevant and, therefore, timeless.
Choose Quality
Invest in good quality basics made by craftsmen; spending a good proportion of your budget on key pieces or furniture will achieve an enduring design. A well-made unit or table can last for decades, being styled and updated to suit. Investing in storage that is practical, and also elevates a space through its aesthetic form, will always be a good investment.
Timeless Kitchens
A shaker kitchen is the most popular choice for clients updating this space, and it’s easy to see why. This classic design can be styled in a multitude of ways to ensure it lasts for decades and, whether you choose a more heavily beaded traditional style or a simple inset panel, you can be sure this is a style you won’t live to regret. Remember to keep the units neutral and add impact with punchy paint or wallpaper. Alternatively, you can go for real wood which can be updated.
These are some tips that you can apply to your own designs, and we’d like to share what a timeless design might look like by showcasing some of our clients’ finished projects.
We used a classic wingback style chair which would traditionally suit this client’s grand entrance hall. Giving this classic piece a modern twist is its sleek shape with a modern velvet fabric. When classic meets modern like this, it will always feel current and fresh.
There is no room where you can’t achieve a timeless feel. In this bathroom, the bath and brass washstand are classic in their original iterations, but with modern twists. The smooth shape of the bath brings it up to date, and the vintage mirror on the washstand combined with the simple brass frame gives them a fresh yet timeless feel. We love the dramatic black tiles which create a gorgeous contrast against the brass.
We used this quirky side table in a client’s reading room, it is a classic round 4 legged shape, but its drip design is fun, playful and surreal taking the predictable to the unexpected while retaining a timeless shape.
On a final note, we know that some fabulous designs and trends come around, and we certainly aren’t not recommending that you stay away from anything new. However, do avoid diving too heavily into anything that feels too current or over exposed. If it’s ‘everywhere’ right now, there is a high possibility that the look could start to feel dated. Pick a few items that you love and use them to update a space, without replacing everything older; this is something you may regret in the longer term.
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