A well-layered interior is often considered the foundation of a great design. Indeed, experts cite it as the defining difference between a space that feels flat and one that feels truly lived in. But what exactly is a layered interior? Most interior designers agree that it is the clever mixing of different textures, finishes, materials and time periods that creates a feeling that the space has gently evolved over time. And at its heart is a finely-tuned combination of new, bespoke and antique pieces. This interiors cocktail forms the backbone of many beautifully designed homes - think the patina of an 18th century sideboard against the shapely lines of a custom-made sofa and a handcrafted pendant light. “A thoughtfully composed interior tells a story, one that balances history, individuality, and functionality,” agrees James Thurstan Waterworth, founder of interior design studio Thurstan. “For us, a blend of new, bespoke, and antique elements is essential for achieving that sense of place.”
The biggest challenge, however, is successfully mastering the secret to the alchemy. “For me, there’s no fixed formula but if pressed, I’d say the balance often lands somewhere around 40 per cent antique, 40 per cent bespoke and 20 per cent new,” says James. “Our recent snug for WOW!house is a perfect example of this mix in practice - new lighting by Hector Finch sits alongside meticulously crafted bespoke pieces and enriched by a curated selection of antique textiles, furniture and objects, and 20th-century British artworks.”
Emma Burns, managing director at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, encourages a similar ratio. “It’s quite intuitive but we probably use about 40 per cent antiques. They bring in history and a lived-in feel which is important. Then the majority of the rest would be bespoke and the smallest proportion would be new. But even with new pieces, we might reinvent an antique like a sofa because that might be a more cost-effective way of doing it and you can sometimes find a wonderful shape you won’t get elsewhere.”
Emma stresses that a balanced curation is key to a successful interior. “A house full of antiques can feel too self-important – a comfortable home is one that does not take itself too seriously. At the same time, a home where everything is bespoke or new can feel soulless.”
Like Emma, interior designer Anna Haines aims for a higher proportion of older furniture and up to half of the pieces she uses are antiques. However these do not have to be overly grand or expensive. “In a project I always tend to put in an antique cricket table, often with turned legs. What is most handsome about it is generally the patina,” she says. “I'll always strive to source antique mirrors, especially in bathrooms where most things are new. An antique mirror just helps to take the newness out.”
Bespoke furniture, she adds, is often around 30 per cent of her sourcing. “These tend to be our big ticket items like sofas and banquettes which need to be tailored to a space and ensure comfort and balance.” In addition, custom joinery can solve practical challenges. The remaining 20 per cent tends to be made up of new pieces. “This usually includes lighting as well as sanitaryware and tiles. We often make new curtains but source an antique ticking to line them to feel more unique.”
For modern properties, the ratio of contemporary furniture can increase. “But even if it is a new build, we will always encourage older pieces of furniture, perhaps mid-century. We try to source pieces that have a story to them so the room feels more evolved,” says Anna.
Going bespoke is also a focus for designer Laura Hanbury, director at Sarah Vanrenen, who veers towards 60 per cent custom pieces.”Finding antique sofas in the right dimensions is never easy,” she explains. “ Similarly with rugs, while we are always on the hunt for beautiful antique ones, finding them in the right size is always a challenge.”
However, interior designer Christian Bense takes a slightly different approach. “I look at pieces that have a masculine energy, feminine energy, and then vintage energy,” he says. “This could be a sofa that needs to act as a delicate touch, an armchair as a heavy anchor piece, or the coffee table that is a found piece. Using that method, you can very easily find yourself mixing in a whole load of different styles to create a layered and interesting look.” This works out to be roughly 25 per cent vintage, 50 per cent bespoke and 25 per cent new. “Antiques are a blend across all decades. So it's not just your granny's brown piece of furniture. It might be Danish mid-century, Georgian or from the Middle East.”
While antique furniture has its place, Christian advises not to overlook the high street for new pieces. “At the moment we are turning to it for fillers. These are items that just slot into the background and are not shouting at you. You can find pieces like side tables, lamps and mirrors at a fraction of the price of going bespoke.” But he follows specific rules when purchasing off-the-peg. “We are careful about making sure you can't tell where you bought a product from. We avoid any piece that is too synonymous with a particular brand because it gives it a timestamp which will date it,” he says.
An equal split between antique and custom pieces is one familiar to interior designer and furniture maker Max Rollitt. "The bespoke element is to tie in with the architecture of the house while antiques add texture,” he says. “If it is a modern property, the antiques would be much less about furniture and more about objects and art.”
Ultimately the most successful rooms also require another ingredient - patience. “A truly beautiful layered look is cultivated over years,” points out Emma Burns. “So be prepared to research and get things slowly in order to get the right mix. The legwork will always be worth it.”
