What is Timeless Design?

What is my interior design philosophy?

There are a number of talented international designers with different aesthetics that I admire and find inspirational. Despite their different styles, the common thread with them is that they create timeless interiors and that is what I want to bring to the New Zealand market. Too often here, I find designers follow the same path and interiors look homogenous. Think about properties you see in magazines or for sale – so often there is little to differentiate them.

I spend time researching what is happening in the interior design world and filtering out fads/trends. Being ‘on trend’ is something I ignore, as it indicates a latest fashion or fad that is likely to be out of style in a year or two. I focus instead on timeless design, so that a home can look just as beautiful in 10-20 years’ time as it does today. Timeless design doesn’t mean old fashioned and stuffy. It means having a fresh take on classic design, blending old and new pieces to create a home that is comfortable, stylish and long-lasting. Increasingly (and particularly as a result of COVID 19), people are investing in their properties to create homes they are happy to spend large amounts of time in, including working from home. As with any investment, we need to see a positive financial return, and that means creating interiors that are long-lasting and not only provide a beautiful space to live in, but also add to a home’s long-term value.

For me, an example of timeless design is in the very first ‘grown up’ magazine I bought as a teenager – Vogue Living, March 1987. It featured the English country home of an Australian fashion designer (Lady ‘Kanga’ Tryon – famous for having her dresses worn by Princess Diana) and her English husband. The sitting room was timeless in every way – from the architecture, large sash windows and the ancestral paintings, the floral fabric on cushions and occasional chairs, through to the contemporary, comfortable white sofas. Over 30 years later, looking at those images, I see nothing in that room that needs changing.

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Mixing old with new – beautiful antiques and/or inherited pieces that are meaningful to you (without necessarily being expensive), along with comfortable, contemporary furniture – helps create spaces that are relaxing and inviting. The blend ensures people don’t feel like they’ve walked into a museum, or into a room where all the furnishings have been bought from one shop. There is nothing worse than having a home that looks ready-made, or looks like a hotel (soulless).

Left: An Impressionist painting takes pride of place above the bed, along with an antique wine table and an Art Deco lamp bought at auction. The painting wasn’t particularly expensive as it is by an unknown artist, but it has meaning to the owner. A contemporary button-back bedhead and crisp white pillows and sheets complete the bedroom.

Layering is a key ingredient to a comfortable home and can take time to create. Adding items found on your travels means you have objects that are meaningful. Some great ways to mix old with new are: a vintage Persian rug sitting on a larger, neutral area rug, antique/traditional cushions on a contemporary sofa, modern print cushions on an antique chair, a contemporary lamp sitting on an antique or vintage side table, coffee table books, flowers and decorative items on a coffee table.

Favourite interior design books, a scented candle bought in France, antique tortoiseshell boxes and home-grown roses create a happy vignette in the sitting room below.

This bedroom designed by US interior designer, Cameron Rupert, is a great example of timeless design.  It features a classic wallpaper by Colefax & Fowler (Bowood) with matching cushions and duvet cover, woodwork painted in a complementary colour (woodwork doesn’t always have to be white!) and a Roman blind in the same soft blue as the paint work.

Books, decorative objects and photos add a layer of interest and show something personal of the owner.  The antique desk and bone inlay chair provide not just a practical function, but are beautiful pieces that are far more attractive than an office desk and chair. 

Flowers always finish off a room and here they sit in a contemporary vase.

Why hire an interior designer?

Designers have the skills to create interiors that are methodically planned and have a cohesive approach to ensuring your vision is achieved. This should start with space planning (buying furniture that is too large, or too many pieces for a room is a common mistake) as flow and function are the first step in deciding on a room’s layout. Designers also understand textiles and their suitability, ensuring they are fit for purpose, i.e. does your room let in a lot of direct sunlight and will it fade the fabric? They can also source directly from furniture manufacturers, enabling you to have high-quality, custom-made pieces with the fabric of your choice, often at prices similar to retail. I work with long-standing New Zealand manufacturers with reputations for creating high-quality, long-lasting furniture. Designers also have the knowledge of where clients should invest their budget and where they can save.

Whilst engaging an Interior Designer/Decorator for your project is a financial investment, overall clients can save money by buying the right pieces, saving on costly purchasing mistakes and having the project feel a lot less intimidating.

As mentioned above, creating a timeless interior doesn’t mean filling a house with antiques and ‘old things’. There needs to be a balance of ‘form and function’, i.e. balancing beautiful pieces with functionality (and technology) for today’s way of living, and ensuring your house is a home that is special, personal and not a bland show-home.

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Décor et Tissu Showroom 2020

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