Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about embracing those parts of our home that get better with age.
In a world obsessed with the new and the now, it’s easy to forget that some of the most exquisite pleasures in life mature gracefully over time. Consider a good whisky: it doesn’t reach its full potential until it has languished for years in an oak barrel, developing complexity and depth.
The same can be said for our homes where the elements of our living spaces acquire a unique charm and character that newness simply cannot offer.
Take, for instance, wooden cladding – freshly installed, it gleams with the pristine promise of youth. Yet, it’s only after years of weathering in the elements that it truly comes into its own as the sun, rain and wind help to enhance its look.
Gardens, too, illustrate this principle beautifully. A newly planted lawn may look charming, but it’s in its maturity that it becomes truly spectacular. Settled trees provide a canopy of shade and a sense of permanence, while shrubs and perennials – having become established into their surroundings – create a lush visual of colour and texture.
It’s not just natural elements that benefit from time. The character infused in a home filled with second-hand furniture and vintage pieces – often sourced from antique shops or passed down through generations – is priceless and they carry with them stories that new items simply cannot match.
The soft leather of a well-worn armchair gets better with age, the intricate carvings of an old oak table, or the delicate veneer of a vintage lamp are the marks of time that add depth and personality to a home. Perhaps even, the step into your centuries-old home has worn away with the constant tread of people. These little things are actually rather wonderful.
It’s my opinion that our perception of what looks best often needs recalibration. Put another way, new doesn’t always equate to better. The allure of a home with elements that have developed over time lies in its authenticity and individuality.
So, as you consider splashing out on something new, try to remember there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing your home is not just a product of the present, but a canvas that reflects the passage of time.
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