{"id":45829,"date":"2025-09-27T05:43:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T05:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/45829\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T05:43:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T05:43:16","slug":"how-do-you-define-timeless-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/45829\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you define timeless design?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many a designer will proudly state that their latest creation is timeless. We roll our eyes because claiming longevity before time has had its say is highfalutin. Beauty may belong in the eye of the beholder, but timelessness is born in the sands of, well, time.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Topan\u2019 lamp, 1959 (reissued in 2025), by Verner Panton, for &Tradition. \u2018Tetrami\u2019 console, 2023, by Naoto Fukasawa, for B&B Italia. \u2018Juicy Salif\u2019 squeezer, 1990, \u00a380, by Philippe Starck<\/a>, for Alessi. \u2018Ancient Writing 1936\u2019 fabric in Daylight, 1936, by Anni Albers, in collaboration with the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, for Dedar<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Photography AM+PM STUDIO Interiors OLLY MASON)<\/p>\n

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\u2018Argento Liquido\u2019 chair, 2025, by Supersedia. \u2018Alpaca Natural\u2019 rug; \u2018D\u00e9j\u00e0 Vu Jamais\u2019 fabric in Ivory; \u2018Mystone Berici\u2019 tiles in Bianco<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

Defining timelessness in design is rather futile. It asks us to suspend subjective feelings and subscribe instead to a universal set of principles that underscore \u2018good design\u2019, defying time, technology, trend or taste. Timelessness is, by its nature, elusive. As an overused descriptor, it teeters on the brink of obsoletion, heading down the same rubbish chute as iconic, sustainable, classic and authentic.<\/p>\n

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\u2018R\u00e9action Po\u00e9tique\u2019 tray and centrepiece, 2015, by Jaime Hayon, for Cassina. \u2018Nara\u2019 console, 2025 (red lacquered reissue of original 2022 version), by Jean-Marie Massaud, for Poliform. Paint in Baked Cherry, \u00a370 for 2.5 litres, by Little Greene<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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\u2018Pan\u2019 daybed; \u2018Pan\u2019 armchair, both 2025, by Gordon Guillaumier, for Frigerio. \u2018Porthole\u2019 mirror, 2025, \u20ac3,400, by Willo Perron, for No Ga Projects. \u2018Lofty\u2019 chair, 2022 (reissued from 2004 version), by Piergiorgio Cazzaniga, for MDF Italia, from Aram. \u2018Nara\u2019 console; \u2018R\u00e9action Po\u00e9tique\u2019 tray and centrepiece, all as before. \u2018Etruscan\u2019 pitcher, 2022, \u20ac200, by Mentze Ottenstein, for Audo Copenhagen. \u2018Toio\u2019 floor lamp, 1962, \u00a31,128, by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, for Flos, from Aram. \u2018Grand\u2019 rug in Deep Wine, from \u00a3845, by Nordic Knots. \u2018Feral\u2019 fabric in Palmaria, 2023, \u00a3252 per m, by Formafantasma, for Kieffer. Paint in Baked Cherry, as before. \u2018Rosso Levanto\u2019 marble tiles, \u00a3156 per m, by Mandarin Stone<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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\u2018Lofty\u2019 chair, 2022 (reissued from 2004 version), by Piergiorgio Cazzaniga, for MDF Italia, from Aram. \u2018Rosso Levanto\u2019 tiles, by Mandarin Stone<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

Hold the lid though. Beyond the hollow bombast of the word \u2018timelessness\u2019, the qualities of designing for the long-term are precisely what we need to strive for and celebrate. Call us pedantic about semantics, but if we replaced the offending word with some of its adjacent terms \u2013 circular, renewable, repairable, dismountable, adaptable, regenerative \u2013 then timelessness becomes literal, laudable and perhaps even accurate.<\/p>\n

The longer we spend grappling with the impossibility of design being anything other than extractive, the more we settle on endurance as its only viable claim of responsibility. With this in mind, timeless should describe the process and the system of design, not the product.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Brutalist\u2019 speaker, 2024, \u00a33,200, by Transparent.<\/a> \u2018Nymphenburg\u2019 coat stand, 1908, \u00a32,352, by Otto Bl\u00fcmel, for ClassiCon, from Aram. Media unit, 1963 (reissued in Olive Green in 2023), from \u00a31,499, by Fritz Haller, for USM, from Aram. \u2018Perspectives\u2019 candleholders and vase, 2025, by Mathias Kiss, for Christofle. \u2018Pigreco\u2019 chair, 1959 (reissued in 2021), by Tobia Scarpa, for Tacchini<\/a>. \u2018Table No. II\u2019, 2025, by Devin Wilde<\/a>. Custom-designed tiles, 2021, by Palet. \u2018Modern\u2019 rug in Milano Green, from \u00a3845, by Nordic Knots. Paint in Citrine, \u00a370 for 2.5 litres, by Little Greene. \u2018Amoir Fou\u2019 fabric in Anice, 2020, by Dedar<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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\u2018Sculptural House Numbers\u2019, 2000s, \u00a3472 each, by Reinoud Oudshoorn, for Petra Hardware<\/a><\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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\u2018CH07 Shell\u2019 chair, 1963, by Hans J Wegner, for Carl Hansen & S\u00f8n. Custom designed tiles, 2021, by Palet; \u2018Amoir Fou\u2019 fabric in Anice, 2020, by Dedar<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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\u2018Pigreco\u2019 chair, 1959 (reissued in 2021), by Tobia Scarpa, for Tacchini<\/a>; \u2018Modern\u2019 rug in Milano Green, from \u00a3845, by Nordic Knots<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

These images feature our selection of furniture, lighting, objects and materials that in their own ways demonstrate a commitment to longevity. Some are defiantly innovative; some are reissued; some have in-built lifetime repair guarantees from their manufacturers; some are eternally adaptable or reconfigurable. Old or new, we feel confident claiming that each has and will stand up to the test of time. Though time itself will be the judge of that.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Opus\u2019 floor lamp, 1986, from \u00a3916, by Walter Manici, for Lumina, from Aram. \u2018Dylan Small\u2019 sofa, 2023, by Rodolfo Dordoni<\/a>, for Minotti. \u2018Butterfly\u2019 stool, 1954, from \u00a3695, by Sori Yanagi, for Vitra, from Aram. \u2018Rio\u2019 coffee table, 1962, by Charlotte Perriand, for Cassina. \u2018Dinner Service\u2019 cups and plate, 1989 (reissued in 2023), by Donald Judd, for Puiforcat<\/a>. \u2018Random Solo\u2019 pendants, 2020, by Chia-Ying Lee, for Lodes. \u2018C\u2019 chair, 2023, \u20ac3,400, by ERM Studio, from Boon Room. \u2018Saarinen\u2019 table, 1957, from \u00a32,280, by Eero Saarinen, for Knoll International, from Aram. \u2018123 chair, 2024, by Michael Anastassiades<\/a>, for Molteni & C. Paint in Cola, \u00a358 for 2.5 litres, by Farrow & Ball. \u2018Valleta\u2019 fabric in Onyx, 2021, \u00a353 per m, by Villa Nova. \u2018Laser Eco\u2019 fabric in Jet Black, 2024, \u00a340 per m, by Kirkby Design. \u2018Untitled 3\u2019 rug; \u2018Jaspe Rouge\u2019 tiles; \u2018Les Bijoux\u2019 tiles in Marron Imperial, by Florim<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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\u2018Infilled\u2019 chair, 2024, by Soft Baroque, from Oig\u00e5ll Projects. \u2018Random Solo\u2019 pendant, 2020, by Chia-Ying Lee, for Lodes. \u2018Jaspe Rouge\u2019 tiles, by Florim. \u2018Les Bijoux\u2019 tiles in Marron Imperial, by Florim. \u2018Untitled 3\u2019 rug, from \u00a31,995, by Carsten Beck Nielsen, for Nordic Knots<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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This page, \u2018Floor Mobile Chandelier\u2019, 2005, by Michael Anastassiades<\/a>. \u2018Seconda\u2019 chair, 1982, by Mario Botta, for Alias. Paint in Yonder, \u00a358 for 2.5 litres, by Farrow & Ball. \u2018Helia\u2019 fabric in 0733, 2020, by Raf Simons, for Kvadrat <\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

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\u2018Seconda\u2019 chair, 1982, by Mario Botta, for Alias, \u2018Floor Mobile Chandelier\u2019, 2005, by Michael Anastassiades<\/a>. \u2018Nocturne Shell\u2019 room divider, 2025, by Middernacht & Alexander. \u2018Border Bamboo and Wool Blue\u2019 rug, from \u00a32,121, by The Rug Company. Paint in Yonder, \u00a358 for 2.5 litres, by Farrow & Ball. \u2018Helia\u2019 fabric in 0733, 2020, by Raf Simons, for Kvadrat <\/p>\n

Interiors assistant: Archie Thomson <\/p>\n

Set build: London Art Makers<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Unknown)<\/p>\n

This article appears in the\u00a0October 2025 issue of Wallpaper*<\/a>, available in print and on newsstands, on the Wallpaper* app on Apple iOS, and to subscribers of Apple News +.\u00a0Subscribe to Wallpaper* today<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Many a designer will proudly state that their latest creation is timeless. We roll our eyes because claiming…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":45830,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[442,498,499,500,501,156,111,139,69],"class_list":["post-45829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-artsdesign","tag-design","tag-entertainment","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45829"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45829\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}