As time goes by, fashion dies out and a new trend starts. This sees a lot of money and time spent however if you invest in timeless home decor, refurbishing every now and then may be a thing of the past.
Imagine opening a magazine from five years ago and reading a story which seems like it just happened today. That is what we call “timeless” and the same can be achieved for your home. Timeless designs or décor is understated, simple yet sophisticated.
What is timeless decor
Timeless Decor is also known as Transitional style or “new take on old classic”. This is where designers combine traditional and modern styles and at the same time incorporate the use of lines, curves, not a lot of ornaments and use colour palettes which are neutral.
Curves combined with straight lines in a transitional style décor will see a look that is comfortable and relaxing and an uncomplicated design which is classic, timeless, and clean.
Colour
Colour palettes are typically neutral and subtle and may be monochromatic. The focus is on the colour of the interior and not on the upholstery or the floors. When choosing colours for your house, always be very cautious. At times, many colours may appeal to you or be in fashion however it will not stand the test of time. It may be best to incorporate the colour you choose with accent pieces and accessories.
Neutrals play a important role in traditional home décor. They accentuate a space without overpowering it. Colours such as beiges, grays and off-whites have a strong presence and when mixed with bright white in ceilings and doorways, they produce timeless decor. These are colors you should choose as they form a perfect backdrop for formal furnishings and colourful artwork. You can also opt for classic colours like black, navy blue and dark greens that are often complemented by these neutrals.
Furniture
Unlike contemporary furniture, transitional style focuses on comfort and practicality to meet the lifestyle of an active household. The scales of furniture pieces are ample but not overwhelming. Texture is important and therefore when choosing a furniture piece, always ensure that you are considering the surroundings and the colour scheme.
Timeless design is functional and sensible. It is a style that suggests a quiet confidence. It’s not over the top nor is it boring. Timeless design is perfectly scaled and proportioned. When creating this functional space you will see that your furniture should fit in a room perfectly. It should belong to a room and be neither too large as to overpower, or too small as to seem unimportant.
Many designers suggest investing in solid antique pieces to give your space a sense of history that can forever be expanded onto. Antique furniture, even though reflective of the past, becomes timeless when incorporated with other styles and furnishings.
How to achieve this in your:
1. Living room
To create a room that is timeless, steer away from oversized and puffy couches as well as those which appear to be overly streamlined or which look like those that should belong in a doctor's clinic. Timeless design, much like classic design, also steers away from overly decorated and busy patterns, shapes and spaces. In this concept, having less is often the best.
When out shopping for your DIY project in redecoration, always keep an eye out for retro sideboards, plantation shutters, classic wooden photo frames and an ornamental mirror.
The plantation shutters while giving the room a breezy look and will keep passers-by from snooping. Their clean lines add to the room’s bright feel and also has an exterior kerb appeal. The retro sideboard will transform the living room’s look and also ensure that the little knick-knacks are kept out of the way. It is also a good place to place precious ornaments and pictures. The best type of sideboard is one made of teak or rosewood.
The picture frames can be used to create a picture cluster. You may have seen many houses with the picture clusters and the reason that they are a very good idea is that these picture clusters can be used to reflect your personality. You can align or misalign them, mix and match and yet they all seem to match and appear as one.
A persian rug thrown on your floor is another good idea for your living room as its warm colours give the space a homely feel and also a little bit of excitement. It can also warm or cosy up a modern space. The hand woven Persian rugs are expensive however one can also use a traditional PNG mat which will also add a personal touch to the living room.
The oldest trick in the book is to have an overmantle mirror. For old school sophistication, go for a French styled mirror with an ornate plaster or gilt painted wooden frame. These mirrors will give the room a sense of space and light.
For patterns, use bold ones such as stripes, plaids and checks with a lot of natural materials in your home. It is best to steer away from bric-o-brac or little knick-knacks. A room with the least amount of ornaments is the simplest and best way to go.
2. Kitchen
Only a handful of kitchen styles and colour schemes survive the constantly changing fashion scene. This means that we are not to be caught up with the latest and hottest kitchen layout that will soon fade out and make your home look outdated and at times very tacky. Some colours to use for your dream kitchen are beige, ivory and a combination of white and grey as these are neutral. These colours when used correctly will give off a warm and striking effect which will inturn give off an elegant touch. Another colour which is timeless is striking yellow as this will make your room appear bigger and more welcoming. You can off-set these colours with a splash of green. Another colour or shade which gives off a chic and timeless impression is Earthy brown.
To ensure that you have the right appliances to go with the colour of your kitchen, stick to stainless steel. This will ensure that you do not have a monotone area. Add in a few touch of colour when changing your faucets, your light fixtures or even choosing your flooring. It would also be fun to get creative with the ceiling where we can use a low gloss finish. However, if you have a big kitchen area, it would be a great idea to use a dark tone for the ceiling and have hanging light fixture. Also, when dealing with your cabinets, always remember that open shelving creates a casual atmosphere and you will be able to reach all your necessities easily.
There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to renovating your kitchen. If you are renting, get permission from your landlord to paint the cabinetry and change the cabinet hardware. Imagine a bland cabinet and then it is transformed into a beautiful chalky white with upgraded handles, and suddenly you'll feel like you're in a new kitchen. Build exactly what you want, but always remain on the classic side of things.
3. Bedroom
It is important that you choose furniture that will stand the test of time and yet having a good taste. A lack of ornaments and decoration with very little accessories will ensure that all focus is on the simplicity and sophistication of your bedroom. Stick with wooden furniture or beds as the beauty of the wood will always see your bedroom look chic.
A scattering of local artwork or paintings such works by Andy Nombri, abstracts by Winnie Weowa and Jakupa Ako will also give your bedroom a local touch and personalise it as well.
Timeless design is a relatively easy one to achieve. Your background should be neutral, and not busy. Emphasise clean lines and shapes and your home’s natural architectural details. Add classic colors such as dark green, navy and black as they complement the neutrals so well. Invest in a few pieces of antique furniture. Any furniture which comes from over 20 years ago are considered antique and if it hard to get, even reproductions will do.
In Papua New Guinea, a visit to the local markets and thrift shops will see artifacts galore and even may see one get a bargain. This coupled with the various hardware shops will see a variety of paint available.
Comments