Classic Decorating You'll Love Forever

Some designers pride themselves on creating trendy, of-the-moment spaces. But Caroline Brackett, an interior designer in Charlotte, N.C., set out to do the exact opposite. "I wanted to love my house for a long time to come," she says. "I'd hate to look around in three years and say, ‘That's so dated!'" Peek inside her 1952 four-bedroom home and you’ll see that every room has a traditional vibe, but that's not to say it's boring. And Caroline isn’t opposed to a mini makeover every now and then. As she says, "Once you have the basics right, it's easier, and a lot less expensive, to make little changes."

Formal mixed with casual stands the test of time. A rustic zinc-top trestle table is surrounded by velvet-covered chairs and skirted seats at the head. The blown-glass chandelier is a classic — it could live in a bedroom or a living room, too.

"A sofa frame that can be re-covered over and over and an antique rug are worthwhile investments that will last forever," says Caroline. For a furniture setup that always works, put a pair of matching armchairs facing the sofa, with a rectangular coffee table in between. The windows are covered with her go-to treatment: solid panels and a box-pleat valance with a band.

Caroline made a few changes in the kitchen, but she stopped short of replacing the raised-panel cabinets, since the shape is so classic. Instead, she just painted them ivory and replaced the knobs. Her new counters are polished granite, and the backsplash is marble subway tile. She also added an island with upholstered stools that scoot under the overhang.