The Old with the New: Designing for Longevity.

Decorating trends come and go, but great design is timeless. At HollandGreen, our ethos is to create interior design that is sympathetic to the features and era of a property, enhancing its character and bringing enduring elegance to a home.

In the past, furniture and textiles were designed to last a lifetime and be passed down through generations, but much like the culture of ‘fast-fashion’, there has been a big rise in ‘fast-furniture’, much of which ends up in landfill.

Investing in craftsmanship in your home – for example choosing quality timber flooring and hardwearing limestone tiles – will be worth the initial investment and outlast cheaper, lower quality options.  If the fabric on a classic high-quality sofa eventually gets tired or you’re ready for an update, reupholstery will bring it back to life while the bones of the piece will withstand the test of time. Similarly, sturdy fixtures and hardware made from robust materials such as solid brass will guarantee durability.

One of our favourite ways to bring character and meaning into a home is to mix old with new. The juxtaposition blends a freshness of the contemporary pieces against the charm of unique, vintage finds. We love to combine an antique console table or sideboard with a statement lamp and a contemporary oil painting above, or a modern wallpaper with panelling against a contemporary vanity unit in a heritage home bathroom.

With longevity in mind, consider flexible functionality of your pieces.  Modular furniture which can be reconfigured as your needs change, or your family grows up, gives you greater flexibility in how you use your spaces, and thoughtful pieces will allow a guest room to function as a home office for example while creating an elegant aesthetic. Multiple lighting options are a simple and effective way to adapt your spaces for different activities or moods.

Neutral tones like whites, greys, beiges and earth tones for walls together with large furniture pieces create a timeless backdrop that can be easily updated with accessories such as cushions, throws or wall art. Choose furniture and decor with simple, classic lines, avoiding overly trendy or ornate pieces that may date quickly. Natural materials such as wood, stone, leather, and metal all develop character and beauty with age and remain stylish over time.

What’s Next?

Get inspired by our Interior Design Projects and Instagram page.

Whether you’re looking to transform your space or design an imaginative new build home or extension, we can work with you to create a space that is unique to your property and lifestyle.

As a Studio of architects, interior designers & landscape designers, we bring award-winning projects to life while taking a seamless and holistic approach to each design.