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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 Below are my five tips for achieving a look that won’t become out-of-date any time soon.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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Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ N The things that excite me as a 40 year old ๐Ÿคญ

None of us enjoy laundry (OK, there are a few of you out there who do. Weird!) but we have to do it. And often. So if your laundry bin can be as good looking, functional and space saving as this, then why wouldn't you?!

I've lost track of how many baskets I've thrown out because they've gone soggy or mouldy. They look pretty, sure, but they're not fit for purpose and they're often messy and overflowing.

Here's what I love about his @brabantia_australia one:

โœ”๏ธ ventilation holes
โœ”๏ธ no need to remove the lid for small items plus it hides your dirty laundry from view
โœ”๏ธ easily removable and washable inner laundry bag that velcros back on 
โœ”๏ธ corrosion resistant so fine in bathroom or laundry 
โœ”๏ธ Brabantia make things as sustainably as possible
โœ”๏ธ compact, sleek, European design
โœ”๏ธ 10 year warranty
โœ”๏ธ tall and skinny so takes up less floor in my tiny laundry

The Rolls Royce of laundry bins? I think so ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

TOLD you this was going to be exciting!

Now I need to know, do you have your laundry basket in the bathroom, the laundry, every bedroom? We used to have one in each bedroom but moved to the laundry-only situation which I much prefer (one for colours and one for whites). My boys know to put their used clothes in the bin in the laundry each night and they're 7 and 3!  #raisingfuturehusbands

#gifted
"Living rooms are important spaces where our publi "Living rooms are important spaces where our public and private lives intersect."

So says stylist @nataliewalton in her gorgeous new book Style, the Art of Creating a Beautiful Home.

"They are where we gather to welcome guests and entertain. But they are also where we decompress and relax at the end of the day. Increasingly, they are open-plan spaces and need to work within a greater scheme. Bringing all the elements together cohesively requires care and consideration. And, if you want a space that lives up to its true potential, make it personal and create with conviction."

Read an extract, the chapter on elevating your living room, on the blog today via link in bio.

Published by @thamesandhudsonau Pix by @chriswarnes 

#livingroomdesigns #nataliewalton #coffeetablebooks #designbooks #interiorsbooks #livingroominteriors #elevateyourspace
Kids and husband messing with my vignettes again๐Ÿคจ

PS. The coaster was RIGHT THERE ๐Ÿคช
#weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ Need a new blanket? Look no fu #weatherforit ๐Ÿฅถ

Need a new blanket? Look no further than these gorgeous South African blankets from @baobabcollective, sustainably sourced, ethically crafted and imported by a Southern Highlands couple.

On the blog now via link in bio.
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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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