I talked before about following trends and how you need to follow your heart when it comes to decorating. I want the home to reflect my style NOT the current trends. Still I appreciate that some things can really date your home, and can get in the way of you being able to enjoy it.
The trick is to select finishes, accessories and furniture that are classic.
Having said that I do have to admit that just because you choose something classic doesn’t mean it will never look dated. I remember loving the cottagey very busy patterned fabrics of the 80’s with loads and loads of florals. They were based on very old patterns and I thought they would ALWAYS and I mean always with a capital “A” be in style. Well some of those fabrics now look dated.
This was one of my first design lessons. I thought I was being smart selecting traditional styles. I thought that meant the look would never go out of style, but I was wrong.
To be completely honest, there is no way to guarantee that something will never go out of style, but there are things you can do to limit the chances it will happen.
GO WITH SOLIDS ON FURNITURE
I love patterns, I promise I really, really do, but they can be so costly to use on a sofa or chair. I have never had a chair or sofa wear out, never. But I have had sofas and chairs over the years that I got so tired of. Why? I didn’t like the pattern any more. Colors don’t go out of fashion as easily as patterns do. If you love the shape of the chair covered with a solid fabric, you will probably keep it for the long haul.
USE PILLOWS TO ADD CHANGE THE LOOK OR ADD PATTERNS
Pillows are much cheaper than furniture. So when you want to add patterns, do it with pillows. When you want to add a color, do it with pillows.
STAY AWAY FROM FADS
I know, I know fads are fun. They are new and everyone jumps on the bandwagon, and it’s fun to be part of the movement. But then after the party is over, you could be left with something you end up tossing. Some things that seem to be out these days are a things made from chevron anything, stuff made from pallets, and keep calm signs.
STICK WITH THE CLASSICS
As I said before even classics can go out of style, but some things are always in style. French chairs, for example, are always in style. Yes I know these chairs have a pattern, but it is a very simple, classic pattern, not one associated with a particular time period. I’ll give you a list of things I believe are classic. If you go to another blog you will probably see someone saying the exact opposite. That’s okay, it’s all opinion. So here’s a list of things I feel are classic
traditional furniture
French furniture
French anything really
Neutrals
Nice moldings
Stainless steel appliances
antiques
granite and marble counter tops
hardwood floors
wood sash windows
linen tablecloths and napkins
old books
DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE
If you see a style maker, they usually don’t look like anyone else. That is because they are not following trends. So if you saw a one of these iconic people, they would always look a bit avant garde. So I am not suggesting you go crazy, and buy a purple leather sofa with pink flowers just to be different. I am suggesting that you find what makes your heart go pitter patter and work with that. The more unique your home is, the less it will look dated later. If you follow fads, people will be able to date the minute you stopped keeping up with the fads. If you follow your own style, then it is much more difficult to place when a room was decorated.
Does that make sense?
If you stay away from fads, your home won’t look dated so quickly.
Fill your home with stuff you love you will love it even if it does look dated to others.
Develop your own style and as your confidence grows you will care less and less what others think.
Stick with classics and it will look great for a longer time. The light fixture below is based on a classic design, but it has a super cool twist.
Well I think that’s enough to get me in trouble for awhile, hee, hee.
Sage advice as always, Anita!
Thank you Ginger!!
Totally Agree. Thanks for the inspiration you provide!
Thanks Alison!! I appreciate it.
I loved you post today. Your house is beautiful. I agree about buying a neutral sofa. It makes it so much easier and less expensive to change the look of a room with pillows and accessories. I hope that you have a Happy Fourth of July!!!
Wish I had learned that early on Shannon.
Love the double ceiling fan with light. Any link to where you discovered it?
Arlene, I don’t remember, but will try to find it for you.
Wonderful and timely advice!
Yes on point here…. Only when I design a Model home for a developer will I cross the line a add a bit of what’s going on in the design industry.
Yet in my own small cottage French home I keep it simple, nuetral, and less mass produced, this is a big secret in timeless and well excepted where pieces in a room don’t fight for attention up against something from a mass market retailer as to oh I saw that or I have that, or I can buy that at our local retailer.
It’s safe to say when using these pieces such of mass market make them fit in and not so much stand out so your space is welcoming a more timelessly seamless.
I see that you have accomplished this look Anita, and when you add a bit of now it’s in an accent pieces that can easily be switched out later without breaking the bank.
I tell my clients to buy that one great focal piece for each room and bargin hunt the rest when they are on a tight budget, this way they can later sell off the bargin finds when they grow into their home instead of growing out of it guilt free of casting off the thrift, or flea market finds effortlessly at the same reselling them with no loss, it’s a win win in staying in your comfort zone and a timeless gathered and collected feel.
This could be another great book for you…. Designing timelessly on a budget?
Great post.
Xx
Dore
Dore, Great insights and yes that would be a great idea for a book, wow!!
I would buy this book if you write it!
Dore, your comments are thoughtful and full of excellent advice.
Come over and visit my latest art pieces posted in my blog 🙂
Keeping it timeless yet a punch now and then.
Xx
Dore
Love your post. great info.
That’s very kind, thank you Pamela.
Your home is beautiful and timeless Anita….and definitely has your gorgeous signature style!
Have a great 4th!
Shirley you are always such a friend!
Be patient. Fill your home with things that YOU love. Then, even if it looks dated to someone else, it will continue to bring YOU joy. Sage advice. I’m sure that at some point in time, the very things that we consider timeless classics now, were considered a fad then, lol! Live with what you love and what makes you happy is what I say! Don’t let your home become stagnant….every so often move things around a bit, retire something for a while and when you bring it out again in a few months it will feel fresh and new…….or you may decide you no longer enjoy it and it’s time to pass it on to someone else who will find joy in it. Make room for new loves in your home every once in a while. A tidy dated home never looks as dated as a messy dated home. Fresh flowers and green, growing plants make a home feel alive. Use them with abandon!
Yes that’s great advice Kddomingue.
This is great advice. It is difficult to avoid trends sometimes – because when I see room after room that I love, I want to emulate some of that in my own home. However, if everyone is doing it it will get dated more quickly. I think that trends should be for very temporary things – like tablescapes (placemats, accent dishes, centerpieces, etc) and things like pillows. I like your advice about keeping the big items classic and neutral. Another great blog post! Thanks.
Best & Bisous,
Michelle from Simply Santa Barbara
Yes I’m concerned about the Fixxer Upper effect. I think some of those things are going to look dated soon.
What is timeless can vary depending on what part of the country you live in. New Englanders are much less likely to change things out based on a style change. When an item wears out, we will be more likely to bring things up to date. I have never regretted my white bathrooms. On the other hand, the dark pine kitchen cabinets were a big mistake in our 1970’s house. After finally getting our kids through college I was finally able to get my white ‘dream’ kitchen which I am still enjoying more than 20 years later. Nevertheless, your point is an excellent one.
Excellent point Connecticut Granny. Yes I’ve noticed regional differences on decorating, and it is very interesting for sure.
I agree. I’ve got my flowered couch and buying a new one isn’t possible. I don’t think I could reupholster it, it would probably look worse if I did it!
Oh sorry Jojo. That’s frustrating for sure. You might try draping a piece of fabric over back of the sofa and on top of the cushions. That might help.
Spot on! I can’t tell you how many estate sale homes I walk into and know that either they had an interior designer or decorator “do” their house in 1985 or they haven’t kept up with design since the big duck and goose horror. Then there are the ones who went hog wild at Kirkland’s in the early 2000’s. And I cringe thinking of all the weddings these days using so much burlap.
My mom had those ducks in the early 80’s. I’m still cringing.
I’ve never been one to follow fads or trends, either in furniture, decor, or clothing. I like classic styles, so that helps. Not to say that I haven’t used chalkboard paint, or had trendy things in my home, but it’s usually by way of decorative pieces, and most often second hand. I even do a lot of my holiday decorating with second hand finds these days. It’s a great way to have something ‘new’ for the short term, but not to have spent a lot, or have the clutter left behind. 😉
Up until a week ago I had an off white sofa that is 15 years old and still looks like new. It was purchased at that pivotal point, when my husband and I decided to start investing in quality furniture, and finally could. Every time someone would come into our house they were shocked that we had a ‘white’ sofa. We have cats for one thing. It was never, ever a problem. And it wasn’t slip covered. White and off white hold up better than people think.
The sofa now resides in my mother-in-laws home, along with a chair that we purchased at the same time. She loves them both (and it helped her ‘update’ her home after the death of my FIL a few months ago), they’re still in the family, and still have years left in them. But we’ve moved on. Those pieces, although still loved, are no longer how we live.
We went with a dark gray sectional in our family room, and I added turquoise blue and white pillows. Love the look, and it’s much more ‘us’ at this point in our lives. Accessories, decorative items, inexpensive artwork. That’s the way I add trendy and fun for the short term.
Didn’t mean to yammer on. lol
Great thoughts Carole. Sounds like you have made very wise choices and saved a lot of money because of your decisions!!
Your decorating advice is always spot on. Thanks for hitting the mark once again.
Great advice. Keep it coming
Anita what material is the fabric on that first chair and did you stencil the blue stripe to get the grain sack look? Thinking of doing that on my dining room seats. if so what kind of paint did you use for the stripe?
Great advice! I agree. I wish I had thought more before buying several of the sofas that I have purchase over the years.
Excellent advice. Thank you!
I’m 81 and I love your posts. I love the simplicity of your decor plus I love anything French. The iron beds remind me of my childhood and I am very much inspired by you so much so that I’m getting rid of my colonial items and going farmhouse French. Thanks for the inspiration!
Aurora that’s awesome. I love that!! It’s never too late!! Go for what YOU want.
One thing it’s hard to get a piece out the door when your family member has emotions to it .
I think we all mostly get wiser as we age when it comes to making choices on decorating. If only we knew knew sooner, think of the money we would have saved!
Anita, I have had a bit of the trends and the classic. I regret getting rid of classic pieces I believe could have been fantastic if my husband had been willing to let me “work” on them! Unfortunately frequent moves, we were a Coast Guard family, didn’t allow for much “this is GOING to be great”. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the great advice. Just moved into a new home and now I feel like I’m on the right path furnishing it.