Creating a timeless and meaningful interior requires a holistic approach, where each element becomes the unifying thread between the past, present, and future. This approach starts with the clever layout of interior spaces, aimed at making them scalable and flexible.
This is also possible by preserving the original architectural elements, which allows singular spaces to be created by establishing links between the traces of the past and the new design elements.
Interiors that inspire a feeling of well-being are marked in particular by a commitment to the senses, such as touch, sight, and even smell. This experience is achieved by meticulously selecting natural materials such as terracotta, slate, wool, or hemp, which allow the space to diffuse relaxing atmospheres synonymous with comfort.
Consequently, the choice of materials plays a crucial role in creating a meaningful interior space. Finally, the promotion of quality objects and the reuse of pieces of furniture also contribute to the creation of unique spaces that are part of the quest for timelessness.
By combining these simple gestures, we move beyond fleeting trends to create spaces that tell a story and shape environments that embody lasting, deeply striking beauty.
“The preservation of original architectural elements is a declaration of love for the history of a place. Every preserved detail is a page in an architectural book, a story that continues through the generations.” – Tadao Ando
PROPER LAYOUT AND PRESERVATION
Harmony in the interior layout combined with the meticulous preservation of the essential architectural elements represents a dedicated approach to creating built environments imbued with character.
By recognizing the inherent value of the original architectural features, such as exposed beams, windows, and brick walls, we infuse a space with a depth and authenticity that span the ages. These elements are not limited to being simple vestiges of the past; they become the narrators of the very history of the space.
The integration of these elements of the past goes beyond mere preservation; it amounts to a celebration of architectural heritage. This approach allows spaces to come alive beyond the present moment.
Preserving the original beams helps give warmth and authenticity to any space.
Photo: © Koa’link
“Natural materiality in architecture is the silent symphony between earth, wood, and light, creating a timeless dialogue with nature itself.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
“In architecture, quality transcends quantity. Each carefully designed element becomes a centrepiece, contributing to the substance and soul of a space, proving that grandeur lies in attention to detail, not in the abundance of elements.” – Alvar Aalto
MATERIALITY: A CALL TO MEANING
The careful selection of local, natural materials for our interiors is a wise choice not only for the present, but also for the future. Furthermore, natural materials, such as wood, stone, and linen, provide a warmth and authenticity that resist the fluctuations of trends.
Their intrinsic beauty intensifies over time, developing a unique patina and a character that ages well, granting the interior a timeless quality. By investing in quality materials, design becomes a heritage and affirms the commitment to sustainability and timelessness of those who design and inhabit the place.
FOCUSING ON QUALITY RATHER THAN QUANTITY
By emphasizing quality instead of quantity, creating a meaningful interior becomes a resolute quest for sustainability. Choosing timeless, meticulously designed furniture is a sound decision to get away from fleeting design movements. By privileging quality, each element becomes a fully fledged work of art, reflecting exceptional know-how and attention to detail. In this way, the quality of the objects transcends their simple utilitarian function to become the common thread of an interior story, a narrative that evolves and matures with the passing seasons.
Raw and organic, slate is timeless and suitable for many types of spaces.
Photo: © František G.
The play of materials creates interesting contrasts. Here, linen and velvet welcome and gently diffuse the light.
Photo: © Mathilde Langevin
“Reusing is recognizing that each brick, each window, has a story to tell. It’s giving a voice back to these forgotten elements and creating an architectural language that transcends eras.” – Jean Nouvel
OFFERING A SECOND LIFE
Infusing our spaces with a warm atmosphere and personalizing our homes becomes an exceptional experience when we choose to do so by giving objects a new life. Instead of simply buying new pieces, reusing existing objects, each with its own history and patina, becomes a form of creative expression.
This approach to personalization creates spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also rich in character and authenticity. By offering objects a second chance, we celebrate not only sustainability, but also uniqueness, to create spaces that truly reflect the soul and personality of their inhabitants.
By forging an interior that is at once timeless and distinctive, we honour our heritage, reaffirm our commitment to sustainability, and celebrate uniqueness. These spaces evolve into living expressions where each object contributes to the story and authentically reflects the essence of those who inhabit them. By adopting this approach, we create spaces that transcend eras, manifesting an enduring and relevant beauty in perpetual evolution.
A timeless décor showcases materials that will stand the test of time.
Photo: © Zhao Yangyang
Founded in 2018, Vives St-Laurent is an interior design studio that operates in the residential and commercial sector. Their approach emphasizes the intersection between aesthetics and functionalism. The team’s work is based on the principle of quality, and they create spaces that are simple, suitable, and without anything superfluous. The studio is interested in the temporality of the design project, where the lines are straight and geometrical, where the textures evoke both what has passed and what is to come.
