While fashions come and go, these foundation styles simply evolve from year to year. Invest in them and your home will never look out of date
This classic look has a refined elegance that wills tand the test of time. Make it special with antique furniture, add show-stopping cut-glass chandelier for a glamorous feel or take it dark and gothic for Victoriana drama
Timeless style
Rose Gold Taupe wallpaper, £20 per roll, Kelly Hoppen range, Graham & Brown. Trowbridge Mead carpet, £40 per sq m, Avebury range, Cormar Carpets. Devonshire contemporary option two small fireplace, £1,380, Chesney’s. Haresfield sofas in Sole Linen, £1,887 each, Sofas & Stuff. Ella U coffee table, £395, Graham and Green.
A shimmering wallpaper gives a room a sumptuous feel, while gold accessories make it feel modern
The perfect room recipe
■ Classic wallpaper
■ Tight-covered upholstery
■ Elegant storage furniture
■ Statement lighting
■ Smooth, luxe fabrics
■ Metal and glass details
■ Fine art prints
Try it in mellow yellow
Eleni wallpape, Sanderson range, Wallpaperdirect;for similar sofas try Izzy from £1,240, Sofa.com; for similar coffee table try Boston light grey coffee table, £199, The Cotswold Company; for similar console table try Empire console table, £249, Scumble Goosie.
Team soft yellow with cool greige for an update on a traditional look. Opt for a calming palette of yellow, pale grey and oatmeal to create a country-house-inspired scheme. Arrange furniture symmetrically for formal style, then add opulence with Oriental florals.
Go glam and sophisticated
Diamond Stitch wallpaper, £57 per roll, Zoffany range, Wallpaper Direct; Pampas Nordic Turku carpet, Kersaint Cobb & Company. Rhapsody rug in Ivory, from £99, John Lewis. Chartwell large sofa, £799; Chartwell love seats, £599 each; Lantau black side table, £39; all Tesco Direct. Lantau coffee table, £840; Ashmolean tall bookcase, £765; both Oka.
Soften a formal scheme with a fluffy rug and some sumptuous deep seating. Bring a subtle glow to a space with a shimmering, barely there wallpaper stripe. Make it luxe with smart upholstery and a mix of lustrous fabrics, then up the glamour stakes with a glass chandelier.
