architect design™: Classic style doesn't date

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Classic style doesn't date

As you well know I'm a firm believer that classic style doesn't date. An example of this is a room by talented designers Tom Fox and Joe Nahem from the 1980s when they decorated the dining room of the Castles on the Sound showhouse (featured in the book Interior Visions).

Working with the great bones of the space, mahogany paneling and a stone fireplace surround, they re-envisioned the formal dining room for everyday use TODAY (or at least 1980s today). Beautiful classic furniture, art, and objects create a space that anyone would be happy using in 1980 or 2014. How many times have you redecorated your own living or dining room since 1980 and at what cost? Do we need any more reason to shun the overtly trendy and revel in classic style

10 comments:

Chronica Domus said...: I wholeheartedly agree with you. Classic style never ever dates! Trends, on the other hand, are a dime a dozen and rarely last.

I love the room you feature in your photographs and can quite easily see myself, drink in hand, relaxing by the fireplace. Just beautiful!; March 4, 2014 at 2:16 PM
home before dark said...: YES! I think if you decorate in a way that makes your heart happy, it is timeless—for you. And really, who else matters?; March 4, 2014 at 2:57 PM
Stephilius said...: You - must - know that I completely agree with you, Stefan. Timely should never be the goal, but timeless should. There's nothing in that room that looks dated. (Well, what about the rug...?) Of course, there - is - a point when "dated" becomes wonderful, though we all have differing lag times; for myself, I would have to stop the clock somewhere about 1945. (I - am - retrograde!) ; ); March 4, 2014 at 3:05 PM
Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...: I agree that choosing timeless pieces is a way to save (decorating) face so that your house does not look ridiculous in years to come. My problem is that classic is all well and good but I want pale blue damask upholstery one day and chintz the next and gold silk yet another.; March 4, 2014 at 3:49 PM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: And classic doesn't have to mean fusty or overly traditional or a museum show piece! I think this room demonstrates that ; comfortable and contemporary even.; March 4, 2014 at 4:17 PM
ArchitectDesign™ said...: Stephilius -I think that rug actually looks very NOW and was surprised it was from 1980!; March 4, 2014 at 4:18 PM
Mark D. Ruffner said...: Dear Stefan,

I look at so many design magazines that feature houses that have been "redecorated," and, as Home Before Dark has said, that's great if you can spend the bucks and it makes you happy. But my house reflects my own personality, and I don't change on a dime. For me, it's fun to see a house that evolves over time (much like a personality).; March 4, 2014 at 5:11 PM
Woodside Park said...: Such handsome work! I love the multiple seating groups: gracious, versatile and interesting! Thanks for sharing this one, Stefan. I've never seen it.; March 4, 2014 at 6:26 PM
Thomas Hogglestock said...: Some spreads in design magazines look like they have a freshness date shorter than a gallon of milk. I guess for those who can afford a redecoration every couple of years, the planned obsolescence of a star designer's design is just the ticket for saying "I have money to burn".; March 4, 2014 at 10:12 PM
Blue said...: I think that good design, classic design, can date and that only adds to its charm – fabrics wear, wood fades, and china chips, etc., but if personality is strong and personal then all is well.

Essentially, good design lives on, dated or not. (It's the details that date not the overall scheme.); March 5, 2014 at 11:45 AM