Discover how to create a timeless home with versatile design elements and a neutral envelope, allowing you to effortlessly experiment with colour and style.
This weeks video I’m going into greater detail on what a timeless home truly is so if you’re decorating, renovating or building a new home, you’ll want to watch this week’s episode.
What is timeless?
A fresh and flexible canvas, or what we like to call a versatile ENVELOPE
A home with simple timeless wood floors and lots of fresh white and cream finishes, is the perfect TIMELESS backdrop for COLOUR.
That means you can decorate with ANY colour you like!
Timeless = a versatile envelope
The smartest way to approach home design PLAN in my experience, is to consider the glued down hard to change elements of the space, the flooring, countertops, tile, etc. to be the actual ENVELOPE.
Then you will pour all your creativity and personal expression and experimentation with evolving aesthetic interests with decorating INSIDE the envelope. You know, the less permanent things, soft furnishings, textiles, art, decor and styling.
When you start with a neutral and timeless envelope, you can decorate more easily with colour and even change your mind without ripping anything out.
5 Must-Have Design Details for Your Timeless Envelope
What goes inside the timeless envelope?
If you want to know what goes inside the envelope, I’m sharing that and so much more in this weeks free webinar Trend Proof your Dream Home! You can watch the replay here.
Inside this free webinar we’re talking about how the best-laid-out plans can look less than wonderful. . .
See how this trendy kitchen turned out INSIDE the workshop replay.
We also talked about the life cycle of design trends which can be can be divided into five stages: introduction, rise, peak, decline, and obsolescence.
I received this note (below right) from a follower a few months ago. This is when the trend truly hit it’s peak
But right now, in 2024, we are in the Decline of the black and white trend which is when those in the know, THAT’S YOU are already moving onto what’s next.
It’s interesting, I just looked up what other people are saying about timeless design and a blogger quoted Nate Berkus who said: “Trends exist to make one feel badly about what they don’t have”.
I’m here to tell you that if you aren’t standing outside a trend looking at it, you might feel this way (I’m also talking about that in the webinar) but if you understand what it means to have a timeless home, you can simply watch the trends come and go while you enjoy creating your timeless home.
Watch it all in my Trend-Proof your Home free webinar replay available here, only until Monday night.
Workshops for homeowners, aspiring designers, and seasoned professionals!
Now is the time to register into my Create your Dream home virtual workshop happening
September 24 & 25, 2024
October 10 & 11, 2024
The price goes up on Monday night!
Design professionals and homeowners who want to start a new career or side hustle as a colour consultant, sign up here to become a True Colour Expert.
As a very long time fan through your blog (since almost to the beginning), I think that your new “envelope “ language is the clearest way you’ve ever explained a timeless home! I just finished a new build with light oak floors, white cabinets, marble look quartz countertops and porcelain tile, white subway tile, and a traditional mantle with a tile surround that is the same marble look as my shower floor. Painted SW Crushed Ice (light warm gray coz I hate beige and loved gray way before the gray trend), and have decorated primarily with shades of teal in the open concept living and kitchen area. I love it, but if I ever get sick of teal (never!), it’s much easier to change. Thanks so much for all your expertise over the years😊.
One question: designers have access to all sorts of material for pillows, window treatments, etc. can you please suggest some online resources for homeowners? I need styling help 🙂 Thanks again!
I am a homeowner that knew nothing when I bought a fixer-upper. I learned the lessons you teach the hard way.
I so appreciate that you have shared your knowledge with the masses. You are the game-changer-of-the-century in the world of design. –Not just to beautify the world, but also to stop the waste.
I see that the hotel industry needs your services just as much as homeowners do. Have you considered reaching out to that industry with your knowledge?
-If you insist on a linear fireplace, then please no square/traditional surround. It looks awful.
-Buy and lay out at least one box of your prefinished flooring or patterned tile. Things that look great on “itty bitty” samples are often horrifying when covering 100 or 1000 square feet.
Maria as I was watching the video, I was wondering, would natural/unstained wood cabinets be considered timeless? Then I googled and found your post on this from 2017: https://mariakillam.com/the-new-look-of-wood-kitchens-timeless-or-trendy/ and it looks like the answer might be yes! (Like wood floors- avoid anything too dark or gray wash).
I’m wondering- do you still stand by this post from 2017? Or would you update the advice for today?
I wouldn’t change my opinion no. Maria
Well…I’m getting worried about my choices for my first floor remodel which includes the kitchen. I’ve followed Maria’s blog forever, have the e-books, and paint boards (original sets), but I still should have paid for the kitchen package! I’m concerned my “timeless” choices might have been part of the dwindling black and white trend, if oiled soapstone counters with Chantilly Lace Shaker cabinets fall into that category? Floors are medium brown oak and islands are light walnut. PN faucets and UNL Brass hardware are planned. I defaulted to Chantilly Lace white cabinets in a panic moment because that was the white chosen for all our windows’ woodwork and all-house trim which ties into the cabinetry. If I stick with a simple, white tile backsplash (white grout to match) and style the space with pops of color, will I be sitting in a brand new but already dated” space?! I may wish I went with a softer white, but it was the house’s trim and window paint that made me afraid of picking a creamier tone or one of the mid-tones that look “fresh” currently. Sigh. Please, anyone chime in!