What lies at the intersection of timeless interiors and authenticity for a home reflecting the owner’s values and aesthetic? It is one thing to develop an eye to recognize timeless design and authenticity in editorial projects with their high end budgets and professional teams. But what about when realistic limits apply? Let’s dish and enjoy moments around my house from last summer.
Timeless Interiors & Authenticity
HOW DO SPACES SHAPE EMOTIONS & MEMORIES?
To create a space reflective of: you, your lifestyle, and the mood you’re after, you simply must first know yourself well. Since I have known me for 60 years, I will use myself as an example.
I’m sensitive, artistic, intelligent, passionate, creative, and mostly introverted. A 4 on the Enneagram, I’m a trained psychotherapist endlessly curious about human behavior. As a contemplative spiritual seeker who loves slow living, I need a lot of quiet and cozy spaces to read.
I am the type who needs ample natural light and lovely connections with nature. Along with creative endeavors (baking sourdough or writing a poem), trees and birdsong are sources of daily joy.
My nervous system can easily become overwhelmed so I do what I can to set it up for peaceful living.
I have lived with tree mural wallpaper in my homes here in the Midwest for many years, and it sets a calm tone. If you’re also after calm interiors, explore motifs, patterns, or elements that quiet the noise for you.
Color Stories To Set the Tone
We’re a diverse universe of humans. Thank goodness we’re so diverse since we need all types. Does a particular color evoke optimism for you? There’s a whole psychology of color theory to get geeky about such matters if you’re unsure.
When you are well-acquainted with yourself, you’ll learn what depletes or repels you.
My love of minimalism for a bedroom could be all wrong for you. Your history matters too. If you grew up in an unhappy home where there was a particular wallpaper, maybe certain florals, colors, or patterns dampen your spirit. Timeless rooms often begin with understated, solid color upholstery for furniture that will not seem dated in years to come.
Pale neutrals are a lovely place to start if tranquil and understated are the goal. That said, classic patterns (damask, gingham, stripes, etc.) in upholstery, accents, and wallcoverings may be more reflective of you.
What will suit you as a backdrop for the memories you’re making.
What Contributes to a Restful Mood?
Architecture and design affect rest in subtle and even not so subtle ways. Our current primary bedroom is kind of an architectural nightmare that is an ongoing work in progress (like me!).
Work in a Spirit of Tendnerness
Psst. Try to be patient with the imperfection of rooms in your home. Don’t you appreciate a tender approach, grace, and nurturance from others? It sounds dramatic, yet the spirit we bring to all areas of our life influences the outcome.
When you tour a potential new home, be sure to get a feel for the bedroom where so much time will be spent recovering from the day. If the bed can be oriented to the east, it’s ideal. BTW, I’m not sure any home I live in will be perfect or done…just like us.
I grew up with color, patterns, shelves of art and collections, and collected treasures since my folks loved decorating. We moved often, and my folks like things super tidy (think hospital corners, folded towels, and orderly cabinets). No big stretch to imagine I couldn’t wait to live with more relaxed standards.
For example, allow the linen to wrinkle! Let the lampshade be wonky. I don’t mind messy cabinet interiors. (Unfortunately everyone needs a helmet for opening closet doors…hahahaha).
My organization style calls for open baskets where I toss like things together without fuss. Clutter is hidden yet easy to contain.
What Environments Make You Feel Safe?
I feel safe in spare, neutral environments and especially love those particular colors you can’t pin down easily with a few words.
Wild colorful thoughts race through my head all the time…there’s quite enough color up in here, doncha know. Pale colors feel sedate, new, spacious, and restful. I also feel at ease with deep blue-blacks reminiscent of night skies, cosmic mystery, and moonscapes where stars are born.
Greys and greige you can’t quite pin down as green or stone or putty when done right are not dreary or depressing for me – I find them lyrical, mysterious, and atmospheric.
LESSONS FROM OUR DESIGN JOURNEY
I have been a fan of interior design and shelter magazines since toddlerhood! Rearranging furniture, creating cozy forts with fairy lights, and writing poetic songs under the covers were joys.
Creative pursuits are my favorite!
My husband and I started decorating and renovating our first condo in 1987 and continued the work in a Chicago bungalow where hardwood floors were finished on hands and knees with a hand sander. We were poor, drowning in student loan debt, and coudn’t even afford to purchase how-to books.
There was a lot of time hanging out in the bookstore to learn about wiring and plumbing from manuals. Even so, we were very happy!
I remain frugal, and we remain scrappy DIYers who aren’t easily intimidated. It’s always some version of I bet we could make that ourselves!
Working as a Team for Renovation
The secret to working together joyfully (since we have different temperaments and skill sets) is our admiration for each other. Also, we don’t hold too tightly to outcomes.
We laugh often and won’t take any of the work or ourselves too seriously. It’s an adventure. The renovation is always bound to become ridiculous. Mistakes will be made. Humor is never far.
We’re aware of resale, but since we design to please ourselves, we’re truly not typical flippers. We do as we please without any crew or help.
Sometimes limping along and cursing, I AM the cleanup crew. Loose plans come together, and hiccups always arrive.
The wrong hardware will be shipped, a sofa won’t fit, we’ll mix up the measurement of something. We’re stalled, we laugh and we often pivot.
WHY IS TIMELESS DESIGN TRENDING AT THE MOMENT?
Plenty of folks are exhausted, anxious, filled with uncertainty, and craving sanctuary in the turbulent 2020s.
Timeless looks comfort us as they are enduring, adaptable, classic, high quality, well-crafted, and a blend of eras.
They offer sophisticated simplicity, natural materials, quality lighting, thoughtful architecture, earthy colors, and clean lines.
Buying vintage furniture and handmade online is easy now.
It’s not that we want to move into one home and stay forever, but we want to choose foundational pieces that last and layer with art and objects that reflect our values as we grow and change.
A Word About Neutral Color Stories
Love neutral colors?
Educate yourself about white paint. Whites have undertones and vary as far as light reflectance. Sample at least three neutral paint colors before choosing the one you like. Even if it takes ten tries, it’s totally worth it.
Visit Hello Lovely for paint colors to sample.
What lies at the intersection of timeless design and authenticity?
Maybe it’s the wonder and joy brought to the process of creating design harmony with a mix of design elements that sing to you. SHOP MY HOME HERE.
Thanks for considering these ideas from a real life renovator and total homebody!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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