Most of us reach a stage when fashion and trends matter less than quality and longevity; when we start to look for ways to create a home that has a timeless quality to it, that, like a good wine, improves with age.

Playing with decor and interior design is to be expected when we are feathering our first nests and experimenting to determine what our personal styles are. But when our home has come of age and begun to settle into its very own personality, we owe it the respect to choose and implement a design style that is classic, ever-fresh and simply beautiful.

Here are our tips on timeless interior decorating:

“In choosing colour …. follow nature’s lead.”
John Saladino, architectural and interior designer

Use neutral, natural colours as the primary palette in your space. Neutral colours show off the structure and form of furnishings beautifully and allow you to update the room from time to time with brighter bolder colours.

“Life in the 21st century means taking the best of history and making it work for you.”
Miles Redd, interior decorator

Bring quality pieces from different eras together. Investing in an antique or a timeless piece of furniture or a sculpture or artwork adds a sense of history and tells a story.

“Less is more. Texture is important as well as scale.”
Trip Haenisch, interior designer

Adding texture to a space adds dimension and interest. It also layers the design and offers the opportunity to change smaller elements from time to time, for example using area rugs over hardwood floors or wall-to-wall carpeting; also helping to preserve the surface. Mix different natural materials such as leather, wood, cotton and wool to ensure the space prescribes only to its own style.

“It’s comfort first, comfort last, comfort always.”
Timothy Corrigan, interior designer

Furniture and furnishings that are comfortable and easy to live with are vital in timeless design because this is what keeps them loved, looked after and in the home.

“Form follows function.”
Louis Sullivan, architect

Ensure that you use your interior design to show off unique architectural features of your home in a way that complements and enhances the design of the building and interior.

“In my view, no space without natural light is worthy of human occupation.”
John Saladino, architectural and interior designer

Choose window finishes that allow in the maximum amount of natural light, but also offer you the versatility to easily control the light and ventilation into the space. Shutters and blinds are ideal solutions and because they are considered permanent fixtures they add value to the property.

“I always put in one controversial item. It makes people talk.”
Dorothy Draper, interior decorator

Timeless does not mean personality-less, just be smart about where and how you add your unique or quirky personal style. Choose to do it in a personal space such as a bedroom or study.

“Stick to the things you really love. An honest room is always up to date.”
Billy Baldwin, ‘indigenous decorator’

By definition, to make a style timeless, you need to be able to live with it for the long term, therefore it is critical that you decorate it with things you love and that are honest to your own style. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not, don’t try to imitate magazine pages or another person’s style; make it your own!