Seasons changes, tastes evolve, but certain design themes seem to return again and again—or never go away. Architectural Digest has scoured the archives and canvassed modern designers to assemble a list of the hallmarks of timeless interior style.

White Bedding

“Soothing, uncomplicated white helps keep visual stimulation to a minimum,” says designer Elizabeth Muraro Hague. “I always choose simple white sheets for my clients.” Ariel Kaye, the founder of the Parachute lifestyle brand, suggests that while white bedding has always been popular, the consumer embrace of minimalism has made it ever more so. “A minimalist design is about peace of mind and focus,” she says. “In today’s busy world it’s nice to unwind in a bedroom that feels fresh and serene.”

Marble Countertops

Marble countertops are as practical as they are luxurious in a bathroom or a kitchen setting—able to take a beating and look good while doing it. “Marble, to me, is the ultimate material for bathroom and kitchen countertops,” says AD100 designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. “I love the natural beauty of stone. No two pieces are alike and, as such, no two homes are alike.”

Terrazo

Traditionally found in old-school flooring and the palatial columned homes of Venice, and later as an Art Deco staple, terrazzo has been reimagined recently in a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors, showing up on tabletops, entryways, and in other more surprising places. Made by mixing stone or glass chips into concrete, which is then polished to a smooth surface, “the final results are always slightly out of your control,” says Italian designer Alberto Bellamoli, who produces many of his pieces in Verona. “That’s what makes it special.”

Rattan and Wicker

From a wicker bed frame in a girl’s bedroom to hanging light fixtures, natural woven straw—which dates back to as early as 8,000 B.C. in Egypt—has many creative applications. “It’s more than a trend,” says designer Nina Freudenberger. “It’s a material that has been used and tested through time to add warmth, interest, and a sense of craftsmanship to a room.”

Upholstered Furniture

Whether you’re curled up in front of the TV or hosting a casual cocktail party with friends, upholstered seating has never gone out of style—and for good reason. “The notion of actually usable furniture is something that has stuck with interiors for decades,” says Will Cooper, partner at New York design and development firm ASH NYC. “There’s something classic about a living room that actually works, filled with comfortable, upholstered pieces.”

Exposed Brick

Whether whitewashed or scraped and clean, exposed bricks add a historical and industrial quality to an interior or exterior. “The beauty of exposed brick is that it’s an architectural building material, so its purpose is core to the space,” says Soho House’s U.S. design director Candace Campos, who used the material at the new Soho Warehouse outpost in downtown L.A. “That in itself gives it integrity. Brick always carries a part of its history and history won’t ever go out of style.”

Wide-Plank Oak Floors

Few materials are as widely used, and have been around as long, as wide-plank oak for flooring. Durable blond floor planks offer a classic look that’s easily integrated with many design aesthetics. “Wide-plank floors were used in early houses out of necessity but are now used in kitchens and family rooms to create a feeling of warmth and ease,” says AD100 designer Steven Gambrel.

White Kitchens

A kitchen with white walls, white countertops, and white millwork works with both contemporary and traditional designs. “White is always chic and current,” says designer Elizabeth Muraro Hague. “Your own finishing touches are what lend personality, whether it’s a pop of color or a hardware finish.” White kitchens allow other items to shine. “The counters and knobs do the heavy lifting, the cabinets recede, and the dishes and food become the star of the show,” says architect Elizabeth Roberts.

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