Timeless Interior Design Styles to Consider

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, certain styles stand the test of time, offering a blend of elegance, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. For high-income individuals looking to invest in their living spaces, understanding these timeless styles is crucial. Not only do these styles enhance the beauty of a home, but they also reflect the unique tastes and lifestyles of their inhabitants. At Sara Arndt Interior Design, Inc., we understand the importance of creating spaces that are both luxurious and enduring, catering to the discerning tastes of our clients in Claremont, Pasadena, and beyond.

Understanding the Pain Points of High-End Clients

For our Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), the challenge often lies in finding interior design services that cater specifically to their personal vision and requirements. Clients in the top 10% income bracket seek exclusivity and personalized services that align with their values of quality, aesthetics, and sustainability. They desire a home that is not only a sanctuary of comfort and luxury but also a reflection of their personal expression. However, the complexity of managing a design project, coupled with the need for distinctiveness and exclusivity, can be overwhelming.

Embracing Classic Elegance: Traditional Style

Traditional interior design is a timeless style that draws inspiration from 18th and 19th-century European decor. It is characterized by its rich colors, luxurious furnishings, and attention to detail. This style appeals to those who appreciate classic elegance and a sense of history in their living spaces. With its focus on symmetry and balance, traditional design creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for high-income families who value a home that feels both sophisticated and comfortable.

Key Elements of Traditional Design

  • Rich Color Palette: Deep reds, greens, and browns are commonly used, often accented with gold or cream tones to add warmth and richness.
  • Luxurious Fabrics: Fabrics such as silk, velvet, and brocade are frequently used in upholstery and drapery, adding texture and opulence to the space.
  • Ornate Furniture: Furniture pieces are often made of dark wood with intricate carvings, reflecting the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
  • Classic Accessories: Chandeliers, antique mirrors, and framed art are key accessories that enhance the traditional aesthetic.

Modern Minimalism: The Art of Simplicity

In contrast to the opulence of traditional design, modern minimalism focuses on simplicity and functionality. This style is ideal for individuals who appreciate clean lines, open spaces, and a clutter-free environment. Modern minimalism emphasizes the use of neutral colors, natural light, and simple furnishings, creating a serene and uncluttered atmosphere. For clients who lead busy, demanding lifestyles, this style offers a refreshing retreat from the chaos of daily life.

Key Elements of Modern Minimalism

  • Neutral Color Scheme: Whites, grays, and earth tones dominate the color palette, providing a calm and soothing backdrop.
  • Functional Furniture: Furniture pieces are sleek and functional, often with multi-purpose designs to maximize space and utility.
  • Open Spaces: The layout is open and airy, with minimal use of partitions and walls to allow for seamless flow between rooms.
  • Natural Materials: Wood, stone, and metal are commonly used, adding warmth and texture to the minimalist aesthetic.

Mid-Century Modern: A Nostalgic Yet Forward-Thinking Approach

Mid-century modern design is a style that has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its timeless appeal and functional elegance. Originating in the mid-20th century, this design style is characterized by clean lines, organic forms, and an emphasis on integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. It is a perfect choice for those who appreciate a nostalgic touch with a contemporary edge, offering a unique blend of vintage charm and modern aesthetics.

Expertise and Experience: Making Informed Decisions

One of the primary advantages of hiring a professional interior designer is gaining access to their extensive expertise and experience. Designers are well-versed in the latest trends, timeless design principles, and effective space utilization techniques. They provide valuable insights and recommendations that help clients make informed decisions about their home interiors. Whether it's selecting the perfect color palette or optimizing the layout for functionality, professional designers ensure that every choice enhances both the aesthetic appeal and practicality of the space.

Key Elements of Mid-Century Modern Design

  • Organic Shapes: Furniture and decor often feature smooth, rounded shapes that mimic natural forms, creating a harmonious balance in the space.
  • Mixed Materials: The use of a variety of materials such as wood, metal, and glass is common, highlighting the innovative spirit of the era.
  • Connection to Nature: Large windows and open floor plans are designed to bring the outdoors in, enhancing the sense of space and light.
  • Iconic Furniture: Pieces like the Eames chair or Noguchi table are staples of this style, known for their innovative design and enduring appeal.

Industrial Style: Embracing Raw Beauty

Industrial design is a bold and edgy style that celebrates raw materials and utilitarian structures. Inspired by the look and feel of factories and warehouses, this style is perfect for those who appreciate a rugged, urban aesthetic. It emphasizes the beauty of unfinished surfaces and exposed elements, creating a space that feels both modern and timeless.

Key Elements of Industrial Design

Exposed Structures: Elements like beams, pipes, and brick walls are left visible, adding to the industrial charm.

Neutral Tones: A color palette of grays, blacks, and browns dominates, often accented with metallic tones.

Functional Furniture: Furniture is typically robust and practical, often repurposed from industrial settings.

Lighting Fixtures: Large, bold lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights or Edison bulbs, are key features that enhance the industrial vibe.

Scandinavian Style: Harmonizing Minimalism and Comfort

Scandinavian design is renowned for its minimalistic approach combined with a focus on functionality and comfort. Originating from the Nordic countries, this style is characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and a muted color palette. It's ideal for those who seek a clutter-free environment that still feels cozy and inviting.

Key Elements of Scandinavian Design

  • Light Colors: Whites, soft grays, and pastel hues are predominant, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
  • Natural Materials: Wood, wool, and leather are commonly used, adding warmth and texture to the space.
  • Functional Layout: Spaces are designed to be practical and efficient, often featuring multi-functional furniture.
  • Hygge Elements: The concept of 'hygge'—creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere—is central to this style, often achieved with soft textiles and warm lighting.


For those who value both minimalism and comfort, Scandinavian design offers a perfect blend. Its focus on functionality and simplicity makes it an attractive choice for anyone seeking a clutter-free yet cozy environment. Originating from the Nordic countries, this style is characterized by clean lines and a muted color palette, making it ideal for creating bright and airy spaces.


Each of these timeless design styles presents a unique approach to creating a home that reflects personal taste and lifestyle. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of traditional design, the simplicity of modern minimalism, the nostalgic charm of mid-century modern, the rugged appeal of industrial style, or the cozy minimalism of Scandinavian design, these styles offer something for everyone. The key is to find the one that resonates with your personal vision and meets your functional needs.

At Sara Arndt Interior Design, Inc., we recognize the challenges that high-end clients face in finding a design service that aligns with their exclusive tastes and busy lifestyles. Our personalized design solutions cater to the unique requirements of each client, ensuring that your home is not just a living space but a reflection of your individuality. With our expertise in luxury interior design, we offer a seamless project management experience from concept to completion, making the process hassle-free and enjoyable.


If you're ready to transform your home into a timeless masterpiece that embodies your style and values, reach out to us at sara@interiordesignla.com. Let Sara Arndt Interior Design, Inc. guide you in creating a space that is both luxurious and enduring, tailored to your unique vision.

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A person is sitting on a couch holding a remote control in front of a television.

Television: Art Piece, Conversation Piece, Or Visual Blight

May 1, 2025
The purists would say: television behind doors, they are to be watched but not seen. Not by dinner party guests, anyway. We all watch TV, probably too much TV. But it is becoming the stand out visual queue of each room in the era of casual design. As we get away from the paneled libraries with books up to 15? high lining each wall and find them more for decoration, the question remains….What about the TV? American Telvision viewing statistics are a fundamentally interesting part of this debate: Percentage of households that possess at least one television: 99 Number of TV sets in the average U.S. household: 2.24 Percentage of U.S. homes with three or more TV sets: 66 Number of hours per day that TV is on in an average U.S. home: 6 hours, 47 minutes Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66 Number of hours of TV watched annually by Americans: 250 billion Percentage of Americans who pay for cable TV: 56 Number of videos rented daily in the U.S.: 6 million Number of public library items checked out daily: 3 million Percentage of Americans who say they watch too much TV: 49 With this much Television Viewing, who has time to put the TV behind doors. We celebrate it as a culture and as the American way of life want bigger, better, and HD! So this brings us to hanging 60? giants on the wall of the media rooms, yes, the den is now the Media Room in most households. A good designer can still find interesting ways to make this fit in with life in the dinner party set. One of the tricks I use is called VisionArt www.visionart.com This is a great way to incorporate artwork, original or printed giclee media into the TV scene. The artwork is down when TV is off, and rolls clean away when TV is on. The beautiful frames surround the flat screen and can be either installed in the wall or on the wall. Another option is a wall cabinet with bi-fold doors to hide the TV when it is not in use. In the kitchen I use flat screens that are on mechanisms to retract back into the upper cabinet base. In the bathrooms, two way mirrors cover flat screens behind the mirror leaving you an area to shave and watch the morning show simultaniously. When these televisions are off, you don’t even know they are there. So the question is a personal one, to hide or not to hide. Talk to your designer to discuss options to celebrate or alliviate the television revolution.
A large house with a garage and a for sale sign in front of it.

Selling A Home, Staging 101

May 1, 2025
Walk through each room of the house noticing any piles of papers, magazines, untidy areas, and areas of furniture or accessories that your eye immediately goes to. The goal in Staging is to have the home read so clearly that it can sell itself. Remember you want to see the “bones” of the house, not the sellers “stuff” Make notes of any area that feels tight because of extra furniture that seems superfluous. Make a focus on items to delete before you look to add. If furniture feels like it is in a non-traditional place and the eye goes to it to figure out why it is there, suggest it be placed in a traditional way. Example, a desk in the dining room. Move to bedroom to use as a side-table. Recognize that some clients will be anxious about you creating a report in their home while they are present. It takes less time and you make clearer suggestions if you have the space to yourself to see it with the eyes of a potential buyer. Remind the seller that you are doing this exercise to recommend things that could help the home sell faster/for more money. Very important! If your eye travels to a very unsightly piece of furniture, it is better to remove the furniture and leave space than have it there. Slipcovers can obscure furniture that appears worn. Adding new, clean faux wood blinds in white or honey tones makes a huge difference for a small investment in a less expensive home. Buyers will read “wood shutters” when they are actually a fraction of the price. Cover up any obvious visual problems. Fix holes in the walls. Easy fix with putty and touch up paint. Less is more in the kitchen and bath. A clean kitchen and bathroom can go a long way in a buyer’s market. Understand that the seller still needs to live in the space. Create a plan for daily items to be put away when the home is being shown. Vanilla scented candles make a good impression on most people. Get good quality candles for your clients. Beeswax is also a scent that works with most of the population. Add shades to shabby chandeliers if it makes a visual impact. These can be purchased inexpensively on line or locally at Lamps Plus. Encourage your client to purchase a wool rug to cover a worn wood floor. Lighting is key. If the home is shown in the evening, turn on all the lamps. Ambient lighting makes rooms feel warm and inviting. Provide boxes for your clients to put the clutter in. Boxes can be put in pod storage or in an inconspicuous area. Having a few boxes around can make the buyer feel that the house is being let go of and is ready for them to make a home. Have professionals clean the carpets and rugs. I have a wonderful carpet cleaner and maid service if you need one. Remind your clients that they need to put a little into the house to get a lot out. Invest in good silk flowers and trees that you can loan your clients and move from home to home. Many times the seller will want to purchase them from you at an additional cost. Invest in neutral colored floor pillows. They feel homey in a bedroom or a family room on the floor and can cover up some issues with flooring. These do not have to be expensive and you can move them from home to home. Encourage the clients to get new bedding and a big fluffy duvet. This will encourage the buyers to see themselves in the bedroom and feel luxurious to the eye. Paint the rooms. Nothing says home like a fresh coat of paint. Make sure that you select a neutral color that works with the seller’s furniture and will work with many buyer’s furniture. Please call me for assistance if you need it. Flowers on the exterior. Make sure the yard is mowed and cleaned up. Rule of thumb, it should look better than when the seller lived there. Rule of thumb, the property and the interior should look better than when the seller lived there. If you say these words, it can help to ease the shock at moving, storing, things. Let your clients know this is STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE to sell the house for MORE MONEY. They will respond in kind.
A woman is sitting at a desk typing on a laptop computer.

Project Management

May 1, 2025
One of the largest challenges that homeowners find with remodeling projects is the actual management of the projects. There are so many elements to contend with that someone who is “going it alone” can end up with huge headaches! As a Professional Interior Designer, I work continuously with project management. It is up to my office to schedule all the appropriate sub-contractors AND (this is the hardest part for most homeowners) make sure they come on time and finish before the next sub contractor is scheduled. With all the parts of the project, there can be as many as 10-15 different contractors to contend with. Interior Designers can streamline this process and make the headaches go away. I have utilized my contractors during many projects and know the quality of the work. Trying to meet with, find the lowest bids, and cross your fingers that the job will be done correctly is a challenge that my clients do not need to overcome. The Los Angeles Times had an article on August 6th about contractors who have taken thier clients for a ride. Not finishing projects, doing half the work for the entire deposit, and generally doing a sloppy job are some of the complaints. The contractors that I use have all been screened for workmanship and utilized on many projects prior to yours. Don’t get caught with problems that can haunt you for years. Project management takes time and effort, but it is well worth working out the kinks in the plan ahead of time. A Professional Interior Designer can help make the remodel smooth and easy.
A living room filled with furniture and a lot of windows.

Finding An Interior Designer

May 1, 2025
Many clients call and say “we just don’t know where to go from here.” They essentially know what they want the final outcome to be, but not the steps to get to thier dream home. This is where a good Interior Designer can help. During a consultation session, an Interior Designer will typically listen to the project plan, review the space and offer suggestions to make the project visually exciting. An Interior Designer will have a portfolio to show past projects and have a client list for the new potential client to contact for references. Check to see if the Designer is affiliated with ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers, to get the most out of your investment. ASID Designers bring a host of knowledge, education, and experiences that will help you create your dream home. It is important to make sure that you feel you can work with the Interior Designer for the long term. Some clients end up thinking of thier designer as a friend who is helping them get through the challenging parts of remodeling or building. During the initial interview-consultatation, ask the Designer enough questions about how they work, how they will communicate with you, and how they visualize the project coming to completion. These determining factors will enable you to understand what the future will hold for you in this business relationship. Look over the Designer’s contract carefully. It should have more information about fees, presentation styles, and numbers of reselects available by flat fee. The contract should be very complete and contain all the legal information you will need to understand about your relationship. Remember that the Interior Designer is there to guide you and make your experience of remodeling, building or furnishing fun and exciting. The Designer should provide interesting ideas that you might never have imagined. Ask questions, communicate, and relate to the Designer as you would any professional who is assiting you with a professional skill set. They are there to help you achieve your goals and make your house your dream home!
A person is looking at a display of tiles in a store.

Shopping For Contractors

May 1, 2025
It is important to shop around for a Contractor to work on your large or small remodeling project. One way to find the right person is to get a referral from a friend or relative. Another way is to utilize the sources that your Interior Designer has experience with. If you are going it alone, make sure to get at least three bids from contractors to compare costs. Be certain that the costs include all aspects of the project and you are comparing apples to apples. I usually encourage my clients to select the contractor that they feel they can trust, midrange in price. If you get a bid underpriced to the extreme, be wary. As my father always says, “you get what you pay for.” Hiring an Interior Designer first can be helpful as Interior Designers have good sources that they can recommend to you. As a Designer, I normally research bids from contractors I have utilized in the past for my clients making sure all the information they need to complete the project is included or budgeted elsewhere. There are no good suprises when it comes to money. Make sure you discuss the timeline and if possible, get it in writing. Remember to be flexible and add 10-20% to your budget and timeline as a cushion. Remodeling can be a very stressful prospect if you don’t have proper design planning. Be certain to set your goals first, outline a solid plan second, and find the appropriate Designer to work with to find the right Contractor and achieve your remodeling dreams.