Cloister House / Formwerkz Architects
January 28, 2021
Orchard Road glitters with sea of lights for Christmas
January 28, 2021
Photographed by Taran Wilkhu. From the Notting Hill apartment designed by Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Some trends are born to fade; flashes in the pan of good taste and questionable decision making that should be forgiven but never forgotten. Others enter the interiors canon and will remain fixed there until the end of time, and these are the classics you want to hone in on. These timeless trends deserve your attention and while they may feel like fleeting fads now, you can trust that in time they won’t have soured. Given, it can be overwhelming and disconcerting to trawl through trends and consider what, in mere months, will have turned unpleasant, there are some key factors to consider to ensure design mistakes are avoided.
First, look to trends that incorporate classic, reliable colours, finishes or lines as you can be certain that even if it pushes your limits it’s rooted in, or references, a timeless feature. Likewise, if you’re test driving a trend that relies on natural materials like wood, linen, cotton or stone, you can rest easy as natural fibres will always be called upon and are a timeless choice, no matter your interior inclinations.
Here, Vogue Living delves into the timeless trends to test drive now and love forever.
Photographed by Yannick Labrousse and interior architecture by Marine Delaloy and Paula Alvarez de Toledo. From a Paris apartment with a light disposition
Working with wood
The warmth that wood exudes ensures it will never let you or your space down. Timeless in every iteration and application, wood is a complementary and reliable home staple. Even if you can’t take advantage of it as flooring or as a wall treatment, consider accents in the form of furniture, frames and even art to both enliven a space and lend it texture.
Photographed by Nick Glimenakis and interior design by Jae Joo. From an exquisite New York townhouse which blurs the lines of minimalism
Tiles with character
The smallest bathroom or the biggest, roomiest kitchen will benefit from a tile choice bursting with character. A classic selection like these alternating black and white tiles are a safe but lively bet. But don’t limit yourself to a muted colour palette or pattern selection as a smattering of tiles with personality can lift a room but will never sour.
Photographed by White Arrow and interior design by White Arrow. From the light-filled Berlin home of a young German family
A statement armchair
Dependable and classic, a comfortable and eye-catching armchair will always slot seamlessly into any room. The shape and lines of such a chair will remain unfailing and steadfast, no matter how many homes or phases you work through, having long ago been proven ageless. But the benefit of such a chair is that should your statement change, say from red velvet to candy-cane stripes, you can easily alter or update your friend. And as we tend to opt into safety lounge-wise, a startling armchair will no doubt always play well with other pieces, no matter how bold or bright.
Photographed by White Arrow and interior design by White Arrow. From the light-filled Berlin home of a young German family
Golden accents
Gold has a way of complementing and bringing out the best in every colour of the spectrum, so much so that it’s almost a neutral. Golden tapware, hardware and even shelving can inject warmth and colour into a space without becoming jarring. Gold, while it should be used sparingly, will never steer one off course and will remain faithful until the very end.
Photographed by Taran Wilkhu. From the Notting Hill apartment designed by Princess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Tonal layering
Such a simple, yet effective way to infuse colour into a space, tonal layering may not be the easiest trend to master but once it has been, the possibilities are both endless and enduring. This approach allows experiment, albeit safely, with colour that won’t become stale. Here, earthy green and brown shades in a myriad of textures have been layered together to create a pleasing backdrop that feels inviting and intriguing. When pulling from the same or similar colour families, one can feel safe in the knowledge that their choices won’t date fast.
Photographed by Vincent Leroux and interior design by Sandra Benhamou. From a Parisian duplex with layers of warmth and intrigue
Vintage touches
What could be more timeless or elegant than a host of vintage accents to fill a home with character? Pieces that are well constructed and come with a history, whether invisible or marked upon their surface, are never a bad idea. Vintage pieces add character to a bare space in seconds and will continue to stand the test of time. Ensure you’re mixing second-hand or antique pieces into every room of your abode.
Photographed by Nicole Franzen. From the chic Brooklyn townhouse of chef, designer and lifestyle guru Athen a Calderone
Dark cabinetry
Cabinetry and hardware can date rather quickly, but a dark colourway—navy, forest green, black, even—will serve you well and age nicely. Moodier hues will also provide a striking contrast to marble pieces, striking backsplashes and even appliances. A timeless yet surprising choice, dark cabinetry will not dim overtime.
Interior designer Alexander Waterworth. From the revival of a rustic Italian farmhouse in Puglia
Whitewashed walls
Like a blank canvas, whitewashed walls serve to brighten and open up even the smallest of spaces. Adding texture to the mix, this treatment is an ideal way to add a point of interest to a space without relying on colour or a bold statement. The statement here, in fact, is confident yet restrained.
Photographed by Or Harpaz and interior architecture by Carlos Huber. From the cosy NYC apartment of a perfumer
Bold colour
No matter how bold, a statement colour is a vote in favour of showing off one’s personality. And what could be more timeless than that? Whether you chose to splash a striking shade across your walls, floors or both, there’s nothing more classic than a decision that celebrates colour in all its glory.
Blog Courtesy: LILITH HARDIE LUPICA
