Experienced craftsmen, quality materials, beautiful proportions and style: these are why good design lasts so long and knowing how to update it over time — an antique table here, a pair of new chairs there means you can make small adjustments over the years and get a beautiful, more customized look overall. 

Why Good Design Lasts So Long

Good design endures because it’s built on timeless elements. Quality materials, skilled craftsmanship, balanced proportions and thoughtful details create pieces that remain beautiful and functional for decades.

Rather than wearing out or becoming dated, well-made furnishings often develop character and charm with age.

The beauty of timeless design is that it evolves with you. A room doesn’t need to be completely redecorated every few years to feel fresh, but rather looks good for 25 years, and more. That’s why investing in quality design isn’t just about today—it’s about creating a home you’ll love for years to come.

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The Styles That Endure

With the possible exception of traditional furniture, most styles will start to date at around 10 to 14 years. I know this because I’ve seen it my whole life. It’s evident in the homes of my clients. I saw it growing up in the 60’s and beyond and studying trends in design classes. There is a bell curve of about ten years for most popular design styles. Not so with bench made furniture.

And while traditional style dates slowly, it also looks fairly bland without a considerable amount of help.

Enduring style doesn’t mean one “timeless” look. It is created by choosing timeless pieces and by putting them together well. Enduring style doesn’t mean one ‘timeless’ style — it is created by choosing timeless pieces and by putting them together well. Pieces with classic proportions, quality materials and beautiful craftsmanship pair well with other pieces of the same ilk and create a home that remains fresh, personal and enduring for many decades with only minor updates.

How to Update Your Home Over Time

The most beautiful homes are thoughtfully edited over time.

As your style preferences and seasons of life change, your investment pieces—well-made upholstered furniture, tables, classic rugs, and quality case goods such as hutches, breakfronts, and chests—become the foundation. These timeless pieces can often remain in your home for 25 years or more, needing only thoughtful updates rather than replacement.

The trick is knowing what should stay and what should go. That’s often the hardest part because we’re emotional about our homes. We convince ourselves that an entire room needs to be replaced when, in reality, only a few strategic changes are needed.

You might think you need a new sofa and cocktail table. Often the sofa is fine — what’s missing is an anchor piece, new fabric on the armchairs, and pillows to match.

What to Buy to Update Your Older Furnishings

You don’t have to replace your best furniture to give your home a fresh look. These are some of my favorite updates because they unify different styles and eras.

• Sisal Rugs – A natural sisal rug adds texture and complements and updates virtually every decorating style.

• Ceramic or Mercury Lamps in Classic Shapes – Timeless table lamps are an easy way to mix in new elements into your older spaces. 

• Updated Mirrors – Like new lamps, a new mirror or a pair of matching mirrors add a modern element to your older decor, reflect light and visually enlarge your rooms.

• Lap Blankets / Throw Pillows – High-quality toss or lap blankets draped over a sofa corner and throw pillows instantly update the sofa and hides a myriad of sins. This little hack can buy you a few years before needing to recover it altogether.

• Scale Pieces – A large hutch, breakfront or even a sideboard or buffet paired with a beautiful, hanging shelf unit displaying a favorite dish collection can anchor a room, create a strong focal point, and help older furnishings feel intentional and cohesive.

• New Fabrics for Slipcovers or Upholstery – When your sofas and chairs are made from quality materials by experienced craftsmen, reupholstering them or adding tailored slipcovers is often far more beautiful than buying new and gives you the opportunity to add a designer quality customization. 

How to Train Your Eye to Appreciate Quality Over Trends

Developing a good eye is one of the greatest investments you can make as a passionate homeowner.

Like any skill, it takes time, but anyone can learn to recognize quality. I’ve ‘trained my own eye’ by spending time in designer showrooms.

I love the smaller, more personal showrooms where I can study the craftsmanship up close. Companies like Lee Jofa, Kravet, Pindler & Pindler, and Witford have been part of my design education since my earliest years as a designer. Looking at beautifully made furnishings, fabrics and finishes teaches you to recognize quality.

I also keep extensive Pinterest boards that I’ve been building since Pinterest launched. Every project begins there. Collecting a large assortment of images and thoughtfully narrowing them down to the final choices. This helps you develop a clear vision before making any changes.

Whether you tour showrooms or historic homes, browse antiques shops, or create your own inspiration boards, the goal is the same. Expose yourself to beautiful, well-designed interiors as often as possible.

Over time, you’ll begin to notice proportions, craftsmanship, materials and details that transcend trends. Once you recognize quality, you’ll find it much easier to create a home that is both beautiful and enduring.