Many people want to purchase furniture that is timeless and won't go out of style.
Unfortunately, most people do not understand what furniture is timeless.
The simplest way to determine if something is timeless is to look at high quality furniture made decades or centuries ago (note that I wrote high quality, not necessarily high priced).
If it was made decades ago and has been in style from then until now, then it is timeless. If it was in style back then, but went out of style, and is now in style again, then it is not timeless.
When looking for timeless furniture, one way to obtain it is by purchasing antiques.
There are also new timeless furniture pieces available for sale.
Here are a few examples of timeless furniture that should not go out of style, as well as furniture that many people think is timeless but isn't.
photo courtesy of Mr.TlnDC flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/3519722825/
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Trendy vs. Timeless - Round Dining Tables
See if you can pick the one that is timeless and the one that isn't.
Table #1 #ad is a pretty 60" diameter round table with a distressed paint finish that currently retails for about $1,400. It would look lovely in a bohemian or farmhouse style home.
Table #2 is also a pretty 60" round table that currently retails for about $1,400. It would look lovely in a home with a traditional or eclectic aesthetic.
Can you tell which one is timeless?
Both have a similar shape and size.
Both are about the same price.
The big difference is the finish.
Distressed paint finishes are never timeless.
There is nothing wrong with furniture having a distressed paint finish, however it is trendy, not timeless, so be prepared for it to go out of style in 10 years.
Disclaimer - If something has been slightly distressed over the years from being used, then it might still be timeless.
Trendy vs. Timeless - 4 Poster Beds
Note - if you are looking for an antique queen or king sized bed, you won't be able to find one. If you think you found one, then it is an antique reproduction or has been modified from its original shape. King and queen sizes were not introduced until after 1940.
Bed #1 is a 4 poster bed in an elegant wood finish with some detail carvings. It currently retails for about $3,000, however it is sold exclusively through interior designers.
Bed #2 is a 4 poster bed that retails for about $2,400. It has marble inlays, intricate carvings, and gold accents.
Can you tell which one is timeless and which one is not?
Bed #1 is timeless, however bed #2 is not.
Of of the reasons bed #1 is classic is because of the clean lines and the fact that it is detailed but not fussy. Bed #2 has way too much detailing that is not consistent with any particular style from the past.
Another reason bed #1 is classic is because it has a classic scale. The posts in bed #2 are way to wide and out of scale with the bed.
Trendy vs. Timeless - Chesterfield Sofas
We are now at the final comparison. See if you can spot the timeless sofa.
Sofa #1 is a Chesterfield sofa covered in brown leather, has casters as legs, and is trimmed with brass nail heads. It currently retails for around $2,800.
Sofa #2 is also a Chesterfield sofa. It is covered in gray fabric, has bun feet, and is trimmed with silver nail heads. It currently retails for around $1,600.
Can you tell which one is timeless?
photo courtesy of Mr.TlnDC flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/3519722825/The timeless sofa is sofa #1 for several reasons.
1) Chesterfield sofas are traditionally brown leather with brass nail heads. The closer furniture is to how it was in the past, the more timeless it is.
2) The arms of sofa #2 are way too wide and seem out of proportion. In contrast, sofa #1 seems to be scaled appropriately.
3) Sofa #2 has bun feet, which are traditionally much wider, so the scale seems off. Sofa #1 has traditionally appropriate castered feet, which are typically only on very high end expensive designer sofas that costs over $10,000.
Hopefully these lessons will help you recognize timeless furniture.
If you would like for Fletcher Design Consultants to help you select timeless furniture for your home, or have any other interior design need, please contact us. We would love to help!
