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Creating a timeless interior: 5 expert tips

February 10, 2015 4 Comments

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By Oliver Davis

In the world of fashion, trends dictate everything. Styles are temporary and most of us are fairly agile at updating to make sure we aren’t stuck in a perpetual time warp of bad hair and cargo shorts. In recent years, interior design has also become subject to waves of trends. Yet it is much harder to be agile when it comes to the interiorย of your home. A fashionable interior can become dated before you know it, and can be expensive to change. Below are my five tips for achieving a look that won’t become out-of-date any time soon.

Select high quality, natural materials

Mother nature never goes out of fashion, and incorporating fine natural materials into your interior is a surefire way of ensuring your home looks timeless and high-end. I prefer a natural palette consisting of stone, timber, linen, glass and leather when refurbishing and decorating. Use sustainably sourced timber such as walnut or oak for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Choose something that you like in its natural colour, as heavily stained timber looks less natural and is prone to looking dated. Travertine and sandstone are great for flooring, benchtops and cladding, especially if you are striving for a sophisticated aesthetic. Soft furnishings should be in natural fabrics such as cotton, silk and linen. Don’t be afraid to incorporate other natural elements into your palette such as leather, shagreen and bronze, as these will age gracefully and often develop a beautiful patina over time.

photo1
Image: Architectural Digest. Click for details.

Incorporate technology discreetly

Technology, by its nature, is constantly being improved upon, and the rollercoaster of advancements in home electronics is dizzying. Nobody loves gadgets more than me, but I’ve learnt over the years that making a feature out of appliances and electronics can be dangerous, because nothing dates faster. Televisions can be concealed within cabinets or recessed flush within a wall, so that they do not dominate the space. Recently, I customised a beautiful credenza with a built-in hydraulic system for a client who wanted their TV to rise from within the unit with the push of a button. Audio speakers should be small (big speakers do not equal better sound quality these days) and should be placed discreetly, never wall-mounted.

photo2
Image: Rees Roberts. Click or details.

Use a neutral colour palette

Each year, Pantone release their colour of the year and in 2015 that colour is Marsala. Marsala is a rich, warm and seductive shade of red, and it really makes a statement. Yet come 2016, Marsala will literally be last year’s colour. Decorating your home predominantly in such a colour may be a decision you come to regret in future years if you’re someone who likes to remain abreast of current trends. I prefer to use neutral hues like ivory, oatmeal and soft grey for major items such as upholstery, rugs and curtains because they are elegant and timeless. Use cushions, throws, and other decorative accessories to inject bold pattern and on-trend colours, because they can be replaced relatively inexpensively if you do want to redecorate with Pantone’s colour of 2016!

photo3
Image: Bil Huber. Click for details.

Opt for unobtrusive furniture and lighting pieces that work together

The sign of a sophisticated and considered interior is that the entire space works cohesively as a whole, without relying heavily on a single feature to carry the rest of the room. Classic, simple shapes will endure. Design classics can add interest to a room without dominating it (think Wegner or van der Rohe), and if it is a design that has remained popular over many decades, you can safely assume it will continue to stand the test of time. To avoid creating a pastiche of a particular era or style, mix contemporary pieces with vintage ones.

photo4
Image: Shelton Mindel. Click for details

Choose art that you truly love

Artworks are very personal possessions, whatever the medium. They are less prone to looking out of date than other elements of your interior. Therefore, the only risk when purchasing a work of art is that you will cease to enjoy looking at it in years to come. Never hang art that you don’t particularly like, just because it is a good investment. Those pieces belong in a vault, not in your living room! Don’t fuss too much about coordinating the colours of a painting with the rest of your room โ€“ art is there to stand out, not to anchor other pieces. Choose pieces that are size-appropriate for your space and ensure they are well lit without being exposed to excessive sunlight. Above all, choose art that expresses who you are and what you love!

photo5
Image: Pamplemousse Design. Click for details

–Oliver is creative director at Oliver Davis Design, a residential interior design firm in Melbourne.

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Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarMonika says

    February 15, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    I have really enjoyed reading this article. Thought that it was explained very well for everyone to understand. Thank you and keep them comming.

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      February 15, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      Thanks Monika. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  2. AvatarPhilippine says

    February 26, 2015 at 10:43 pm

    All the photos look like my grand-mother’s house : classy but boring. And it looks old fashioned to me, except the bathroom ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. AvatarRen says

    May 6, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    Yeah… nah. Too many neutrals in all of those images. I get that neutral is “timeless” but one gets sick of the cream, milk, ivory and bone…

    Reply

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