How I design spaces that are current, yet timeless.

As an interior designer, I pride myself on my ability to design spaces that are current, yet timeless. It is important for me and my design studio to deliver our clients a beautiful space, office or home that they are going to love for many years to come.

The investment of good interior design is a significant one, as are the furniture pieces, artwork and finishes- so these selections are just as important as the overall design and concept. It is critical to get these right, in order to achieve outstanding results when it comes to good quality, everlasting design.

For my latest blog post, I wanted to share with you some important concepts and factors that I consider when designing current yet timeless spaces for our clients.

Symmetry and proportion, a sense of order

When I look at a space, it is important for me and my team to design and select pieces that are the right proportion within the room. I need to think about:

• How the room should flow- how one moves through the room
• The functionality of the space- what is it used for?
• What needs to be incorporated into the design to ensure that the room is functional?
• The sizing of the windows and doorways in comparison to the room- can clever design and furniture choice help to improve on how smaller doorframes or windows look? Scale will play a part here.

  A functional space to me means that there should be a place for everything. Bespoke cabinetry and clever storage solutions will come into play here- this gives the area a sense of order and refinement.

  Don’t follow trends, as they date

  

  Although very tempting, following the latest trend isn’t always going to reward a client with a home that they are going to love for years to come.

  Trends come and go, they are in one month, then out the next. It is imperative to the success and permanency of the project to make clever choices when it comes to design finishes and these choices should not rely on following a trend.

  Instead, I suggest selecting a finish, furniture piece or artwork based on the client’s overall brief and personal taste, as well as how the selection is going to fit into the home’s original architectural features (if renovating) or architectural style if building a new home.

  Use classical furniture

  

  Classical furniture designs have stood the test of time. Year after year, they are just as eye-catching and beautiful. Whether it is an antique sourced specifically for the project, or a new iconic piece, classical furniture definitely has it’s place in contemporary design and home decorating.

  Offer a focal point

  

  A focal point in an interior always brings interest, it could be simply highlighting a great view through a window, a grand fireplace and mantle, or a stunning pendant light etc. It should be something that demands attention and creates conversation, having this focal point will really bring wow factor to the room.

  An eclectic mix of classical and contemporary furniture and architectural detailing

  

  There is definitely a place for eclectic style when it comes to creating impactful and timeless interiors to remember.

  Sourcing a mix to create an eclectic, yet balanced combination of furniture and accent pieces can really work. It is all about bringing together complimentary styles and colours, as well as textures that can work seamlessly together as part of your overall vision and of course, the client brief.

  Classic tones, palette and materials

  

  Finally, but perhaps most importantly, design selections and materials are going to be a key factor in ensuring a design will last the test of time.

  I look to use complimenting tonal colours, alongside authentic materials such as stone, marble and timber. These are best paired back with classical patterns and prints that are going to accentuate the natural texture and finish of the materials.