The Enduring Appeal of Classic Interior Design Elements

As a longtime magazine editor, I’ve been lucky enough to lay eyes on a breadth of stylish homes through the years. I’ve interviewed countless talented tastemakers and designers, been on my fair share of photo shoots, and perused enough design books to fill a local library. At this very moment, I also have 18,429 screenshots saved to my phone, and I’m willing to estimate that at least 90 percent of those are interiors. (Yes, I’m sure there’s a better way to organize them, but I’m an vintage soul to my core.) This is all an attempt at saying I’ve seen and studied a lot of rooms in my life, and I’ve found there are certain things that the exceptionally stylish set tends to gravitate toward—elements that I’ve found truly aid elevate a space.

An English Roll-Arm Sofa

This is my all-time favorite sofa silhouette—ideally upholstered in a pretty performance velvet. It’s elegant yet easy and has such inviting proportions for settling in and making yourself at home. While you can locate this sofa style at a range of price points, it’s worth checking out English manufacturer George Smith for some seriously stunning examples.

A Salon-Style Gallery Wall

Nothing conveys confident curation quite like a well executed assortment of art, and the salon-style approach, which takes inspiration from 18th- and 19th-century drawing rooms, is all about a thoughtful, happily hodgepodge mix. Frames of assorted materials (gold, black, dark wood) sit closely together and there’s no strict symmetry, which makes the arrangement feel added to over time. Designer Rita Konig is especially skilled at this art form, and one of her biggest pieces of advice is to slowly acquire pieces you truly love as opposed to forcing a quick turnaround. “For whatever reason, filler will always feel like filler,” Rita says.

A Bamboo Hall Tree

In recent years, bamboo furniture has become so trendy, but the one element that seems to be truly trend-proof is an antique bamboo hall tree. They come in especially handy when you’re trying to corral clutter in a hallway or small space and offer an opportunity to add some texture in the form of straw hats and French market totes casually hung from the hooks.

A Grouping of Topiaries

I’ve seen enough stylists haul countless topiaries into photo shoots to recognize how much a cluster of these pretty plants can breathe life and sophistication into a space. If your kitchen island is feeling a bit spare, a grouping of varying heights in the center will bring the room to life. They’re also pretty displayed on a skirted entry table or atop a mantel.

On another plant note, I’m also loving the wiry look and giant green leaves of potted fig trees (ficus carica), not to be confused with fiddle leaf figs.

A Vintage Matchbook Collection

A collection of vintage matchbooks says “I obsess about the small things” in all the best ways. I especially love when they’re grouped by theme (vintage hotel matchbooks) or color and displayed in a Revere bowl.

While you’re at it, add one of these super stylish French ceramic match strikers, also known as pyrogenes, to your coffee table display.

An English-Style Boot Room

I will forever have a soft spot for a boot room—especially one outfitted with wellies, riding boots, walking sticks, fishing creels, and other pastoral provisions. Extra points for a rich muddy paint color and a healthy assortment of waxed canvas coats.

Basket-Embellished Ceilings

The ceiling tends to get overlooked when it comes to decorating, and that’s precisely why a little attention to this space goes a long way. I especially love a good collection of baskets hanging overhead in a pantry or potting shed because all of that texture creates such warmth. (Hanging baskets also pay tribute to basket-loving design muses like Bunny Mellon and Bunny Williams).

A Round Convex Mirror

If you have a spot above a bed or over a mantel and you’re not quite sure what to add, a simple round mirror will forever do the trick. Federal-style mirrors will also fill the bill. Research shows that curved shapes can even help a room feel more relaxed. “Round forms—circles, spheres, arches—are more than a design preference,” says author and designer Ingrid Fetell Lee. “They’re tied to our emotional response system. Neuroscientific studies have shown that sharp angles can activate the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, while curved forms set us at ease.”

A Pastoral Wall Mural

Given the pattern-drenching trend, wallpaper has been having a moment, but wall murals craft even more of a statement and evoke such a historic and stately feel. In this Texas home, designer Maryann Udvarhelyi selected a painted landscape scene by Iksel Decorative Arts that depicts Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait in the late 19th century.

Soapstone Countertops

I’ve found a lot of designers love patina-rich soapstone not just because of its luxe old-world look but also because it’s more heat- and stain-resistant than marble. If I could redo my kitchen tomorrow, it’s what I’d choose. In this historic 1830s kitchen, architect Keri Murray used the material for a handsome backsplash as well as the deep farmhouse sink and surrounding countertops.

An Unlacquered Brass Bridge Faucet

When it comes to hardware, finish trends come and go, but nothing rivals the pretty patina of unlacquered brass. It’s no wonder that designer Molly Singer opted for this pretty hardware for her own stunning farmhouse-style kitchen.

“Pigeon” By Farrow & Ball

Okay, this one is very specific, but there’s no paint color I’ve seen embraced more by extremely stylish people—at least in the country interiors world—than this green-gray-blue-ish shade. If you’re looking for a rich, interesting, and nuanced not-quite-neutral, this one’s worth adding to the list of contenders. If you want something in this spirit but with a smidge more color, Farrow & Ball’s Green Blue is another go-to. (It’s the color of my front door!)

Rachel Hardage Barrett has written for and edited lifestyle publications for more than 20 years. As the editor-in-chief of Country Living, she has covered all things related to country life—including design, gardening, food, travel, antiques, crafts, and country pop culture—for more than a decade.