The Look of Good Taste
The quiet luxury craze that’s sweeping fashion has earned its place in decor – giving off an effortless, classic and timeless look and feel to a home. Another term for this is grand millennium design. Naturally, this doesn't come without some sweat equity, great taste and a desire for classic decor. Ralph Lauren is probably the designer I think of most when I think of the quiet luxury look and feel in both clothing and home decor.
This means trends are out (and I love that, because trends come and go) and classics reign supreme. The key things to look for in a well thought out room is the originality (items that are uniquely you), quality (invest in the best for key items such as sofas, area rugs, side chairs, etc.), and craftsmanship (how well an item is constructed and with quality materials).
Rather than a minimalist Scandinavian design aesthetic, today’s classic decor is a bit extra. Showing evidence of your travels and interests sends a clear mess of a life well lived. The desire for our homes to be layered with more meaningful decor choices and comforting areas to live and relax are the hallmarks of this new era of decor.
The beauty of a classic design esthetic is that it has staying power. So many friends and family of mine comment on the furniture in my current Boston condo as something they’ve seen before. That’s because they have. I do not believe in disposable decor. Some things need a refresh for sure, but if you choose the appropriate designs and lines of key items, you can have them for decades to come.
Here are a few ideas of key characteristics of great taste in a home.
Curate What You Love
A home should have a collected and curated look to it that’s evolved over time. Decorating a home takes time and that’s a good thing. You need to love everything in your home as you layer items like artwork, fabrics, patterns and accessories in your home.
Keep the Same Wall Color Throughout Your Home
I realize there’s a major temptation between wanting each room in your home to have its own personality, however, when color is similar from one room to the next it allows the eye to keep moving. You can do this with accessories such as blue and white china pieces, antique books, plants in similar planters. Keeping some elements in each room brings cohesion to a space and looks well thought out.
Color can be brought in with historic tones of blue, greens, blush and burgundies. Many classic designs are layered and multi-dimensional in wallcoverings, fabrics, trim, accessories, etc.
Everything Old is New Again in Antiques
Whether your taste is contemporary or traditional, every room in your home should contain one antique piece. It’s a must for achieving this classic look. It can be as simple as an accessory like aged leather covered books, to antique boxes and crochet balls. Accessories are a great way to incorporate this look and they’re so easy to move from one space to another. Start small and the next thing you know you’ll find yourself coveting a bureau or hutch.
Worried about the cost? Check out thrift and consignment stores, Facebook Marketplace, eBay and other online sources. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg for these items to create that collected vibe in your home. But don’t feel rushed to purchase everything at once. Love takes time and so does tasteful decor.
Layers of Patterns and Textures
When in doubt choose patterns like florals, plaids, stripes for a rich look and feel to a home. I love an animal print or faux or real hide over an existing area rug. Choose a color palette of about three and make sure there are solids in the mix.
Texture can come in the form of metals like copper, brass, etc. I love natural elements like marble, aged wood, travertine and pottery for an eclectic and aged aesthetic. If you’ve heard of Feng Shui you’ll know the five elements of wood, fire, water, metal and earth need to be balanced in each room for ideal harmony. Here’s a great article on Feng Shui and how to incorporate it in your home. https://cantiro.ca/blog/2024/02/02/feng-shui-home-decor-for-2024/
So, there you have it – a great start to begin to curate a classic and timeless style you’ll love . . . for a long time to come. Take your time and only bring in items that you love and are useful to you. We spend so much time in our homes, we should work to make them the sanctuary we desire. Until next time . . .
Stylishly Yours,
Nancy