We live in a fast world. Fast fashion, fast food, and next day delivery are terms that we are all familiar with. Trends move in and out of our lives on a regular basis. I don’t think any of us can deny the advantages that come with many of our modern conveniences (next day delivery has come to the rescue many, many times in this household), however I think most of us would agree that when it comes to our homes, we would like to slow things down a bit. We don’t want to remodel our homes every time a new trend cycles in. It is costly and inconvenient. We want timeless homes. Homes that not only look nice and feel fresh for years, but also homes that tell a story, our story.
As a luxury interior designer, we specialize in crafting interiors that will stand the test of time. One of my favorite examples of timeless design is the Nancy Meyers kitchen in Somethings Gotta Give. This movie celebrated its 20th Anniversary in November of 2023 and it looks like it could have been installed yesterday. It still looks fresh and updated.
Same with the quaint English Cottage kitchen in The Holiday (2006)
And again in The Intern (2015)
Why do these kitchens age so well? How do we move from trendy to timeless?
Lets’s start with the flooring. Natural colored wood floors lay the foundation. Avoid wood floors stained with colors that you wouldn’t find in nature (ie. white, gray, black, etc). All of the flooring in the above photos could be 100 years old or could be installed in a new build house today and they don’t look trendy or dated.
Keep your countertops simple. Two of the images above have white countertops, and one has black. Stay away from stones that have many colors or large patterns. Simple equals luxury and timeless.
Mix old and new. Layers are key to beautifully designed interiors. They add depth and character. Most importantly though, they help tell the story of your family. Incorporating a family heirloom or something modern amidst more traditional design elements is a great way to add interest and keep your interiors updated (example above with the stainless steel modern range hood). Add pieces that are functional and meaningful. An example from my own home…I am short and need a step stool in my kitchen to reach higher shelves. I found a small antique step ladder many years ago that I use almost daily and I love the way it looks in my kitchen so I don’t need to hide it.
Consider more neutral colors for the other items in your kitchen that are costly to replace, ie. cabinets and backsplash. Two of the kitchens above have white subway tile backsplash. Some may think it boring as it’s been done time and time again, however you can change the layout or add some interesting details to make it unique to your home (such as the arch over the stove in the above photo from The Intern). Neutral doesn’t have to mean white. Shades of blues and greens can also be quite neutral.
Is your home feeling dated? Is a remodel on the horizon? Are you getting ready to build? We specialize in luxury residential interior design, let us help you create a beautiful timeless design that will still feel fresh and new 20 years from now. Head to the contact page, we would love to meet you!