Creating Timeless Interiors: Embracing Classic Design Styles with a Modern Twist
Creating Timeless Interiors: Embracing Classic Design Styles with a Modern Twist
There are plenty of different design styles and trends that fluctuate in and out of popularity. Some trends are more short-lived than others–especially those born on TikTok–but almost all tend to erode with time. This presents a slight challenge for those wanting a space that is modern but not soon-to-be out of style. How do you find a balance between updated and irrelevant? We suggest embracing classic design styles and keeping them from feeling stuffy by adding a modern twist.
Let’s talk about how to make this happen!
To begin, we should establish what “timeless” styles look like. As the name suggests, timeless styles include any design that has stood the test of time. Whether that means furniture shapes and styles on the very traditional end, or mid-century or Italian modern styles that go all the way back, these classic designs are like the work horses of interior style. They are typically subtler or more pared back, but elegantly made, with clean lines and natural hues. If you look back in design history and see that a style has been used for several decades or longer, there’s already evidence it will stand the test of time.
One way to keep things updated–even before adding any modern elements–is to mix and match timeless design elements from different time periods. So long as other crucial design principles such as scale, balance, and proportion are followed, this will provide the sense that your space isn’t just a blast to the past–it’s an updated version of it. By integrating your favorite pieces from different classic styles, you’ll add visual interest rather than going all one note with one style.
When it comes to integrating contemporary styles, you should first consider your personal taste. Where do you fall on the traditional-to-modern style spectrum? Do you fall somewhere in the middle or closer to one end? Knowing the answer to this question will help you determine how much of a modern twist to add.
The next question on your list should be about the style of architecture of your house. How traditional or modern is it? While this isn’t a rigid rule, you’ll generally want to lean toward an interior style that echoes (to some degree) the style of the architecture. At the same time, both timeless and newer design elements should be present, to feel current but comfortable. If your home is decorated in an overly traditional way or with only modern styles, it will probably not feel as relaxing and inviting as a home should be.
For instance, if you’re building a brand-new modern home, you’ll definitely want to integrate some modern design elements–like textures or soothing color palettes–to echo the architectural style. At the same time, overly modern homes can too easily feel cold, so you’ll need to soften things up with some timeless elements.
If the architecture of your home is more traditional, however, you’ll want to update it by using newer color palettes or furniture shapes. In one of our recent projects, a Tudor home from 1900, we used a modern bathtub and earthy tile color in one bathroom to offset the traditional feel of the tile. These small details are everything when it comes to creating a unified aesthetic from both classic and contemporary design elements.
We’ll mention that patterns can be especially difficult to incorporate without feeling either too stuffy or too much like a trend in passing. For that reason, it might be better to use less patterns to ensure your design stays in vogue. If you love patterns, however, you’ll just need to choose them carefully so they stand the test of time. (Feel free to check out our textile line, which we’ve designed for this exact reason.)
All in all, creating a clean, fresh, but classic design is no simple task. There are many design elements to consider and personal preferences to weigh. The key is in staying true to your personal aesthetic while being open to trying new things, on both sides of the traditional-to-modern style spectrum.
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