For a while, interiors seemed to be heading towards an increasingly polished aesthetic. Perfectly coordinated schemes, pristine finishes and rooms that looked as though they had been lifted straight from the pages of a glossy magazine. But no more!
To our delight, recently there has been a renewed appreciation for something a little less predictable. Homes with personality, interiors that feel collected rather than decorated, and spaces that tell a story about the people who live in them. At Piers Thurston, this is something we've always championed, prioritising a comfort-first approach that feels considered, functional, and completely at one with the surroundings.
What Makes an Interior Feel Lived-In?
A lived-in interior isn't simply a mismatched collection of furniture or a patinaed coffee table. It's about creating a home that feels as though it has evolved naturally over time.
Think layered textiles, well-loved furniture, collected artwork, interesting objects and the occasional imperfection. A room might feature a contemporary sofa alongside an inherited antique cabinet, a newly commissioned piece of joinery alongside an original architectural detail, or a beautifully worn timber floor that has seen considerably more life than a freshly laid alternative.
Importantly, lived-in doesn't mean unfinished or lacking in consideration. Quite the opposite - there's a great deal of thought behind the composition, proportions, colour palette and materials. The difference is that the finished space feels relaxed rather than overly orchestrated.
Why Character Matters More Than Trends
Interior trends will always have their place. They can introduce us to new materials, unexpected colour combinations and different ways of approaching a space, and as a designer, it’s important we stay ‘in-the-know’ on such matters. That said, designing an entire home around what's currently popular can be a rather short-lived exercise. A more considered approach starts with the property itself and the people who inhabit it.
A Victorian terrace in Brighton, a Georgian townhouse in London and a country cottage in Sussex all have their own architectural language, history and personality. Rather than imposing a predetermined aesthetic, we believe good interior design should respond to these qualities.
This might mean celebrating original floorboards, retaining an existing fireplace, introducing traditional joinery or choosing a fabric that feels entirely at home within the architecture.
The aim isn't to recreate a particular period or make a property feel like a museum. It's to strike a balance between old and new, allowing the character of a home to inform its future without restricting how it can be lived in.
Mixing Old and New: The Art of a Collected Interior
One of the simplest ways to introduce character into a home is to resist the temptation to buy everything new.
Antique and vintage furniture can bring a wonderful sense of history, texture and individuality to an otherwise contemporary scheme. A weathered wooden table, an inherited chest of drawers or a vintage occasional chair can often become the most interesting piece in a room.
Equally, existing furniture doesn't necessarily need replacing simply because a room is being redesigned. At Piers Thurston, we champion the reuse and repurposing of existing pieces wherever possible, be it reupholstering a favourite chair, refinishing a tired piece of timber furniture or adapting an existing item to suit a new scheme. Not only is this more sustainable, but it can give costly and sentimental pieces an entirely different lease of life.
Colour, Texture and Pattern: Creating Depth and Warmth
A characterful interior rarely relies on colour alone. It's the combination of materials, textures and patterns that gives a room its richness.
Natural materials such as timber, stone, linen, wool and aged metals introduce an element of tactility that can make even the simplest scheme feel more inviting. Layering these with decorative fabrics, patterned wallpapers and considered colour choices creates depth without necessarily making a room feel busy.
Pattern also has an important role to play. Whether it's a traditional floral, a subtle stripe or a ditsy print, introducing pattern through curtains, upholstery, cushions or wallpaper can bring individuality to a space. The trick is to create a sense of cohesion without making everything match - a little contrast is often what makes a scheme interesting.
Designing Homes With Character at Piers Thurston
At Piers Thurston, our approach to interior design is centred on creating homes that feel effortless, intentional and individual.
We work with the architecture, the existing character of a property and, most importantly, the people who live there. From full home transformations to individual room renovations and more focused design support, every project begins with understanding how a space needs to work and how it should feel.
We're not particularly interested in creating show homes. We would much rather create somewhere that feels genuinely lived in, where beautiful things can be enjoyed, furniture can be used and the occasional muddy footprint isn't the end of the world (provided it’s on a wipeable surface!)
Looking to create a home with a little more character? Piers Thurston offers considered residential interior design across Sussex, Brighton, Surrey, Kent and London. Get in touch to discuss your project.