Designing a timeless living room

A room that still feels right in twenty years is usually built on a few simple decisions rather than a strong trend.

Start with proportion. Choose a sofa and coffee table scaled to the room, and leave clear walking routes of around 80 to 90 centimetres.

Limit the palette of materials. Two or three timbers, linen or wool, and a stone or plaster surface give texture without visual noise.

Let light do some of the decorating. Keep window treatments simple and place the pieces you love most where daylight reaches them.

Finally, buy slowly. Add pieces as you understand how you live in the room, not all at once.