KEY POINTS:
There are some universal rules that apply to fashion, cars and home interiors. Whether it's a little black dress, a Ferrari or a Philippe Starck lemon-squeezer, some things will always be timeless classics.
But why are some looks classic and why do others date? There are some simple rules about style. Disregard them at your peril; embrace them and you could make your home the most talked-about in town.
Find a style and stick to it. Jackie Kennedy Onassis was an icon of the 60s, a First Lady with an understated style. The simple lines of her mini-dresses and the short, sharp jackets she wore were the hallmarks of her fashion sense. Borrow her style in your home with a mix of the classic and the modern.
You can't go wrong with black. The classic black dress is a staple in every woman's wardrobe, making her look effortlessly elegant. It's also the colour of sophistication, mystery and aloofness. Choose it for effect but not for fun. Borrow the style in your home, for a striking contemporary look, with black leather sofas. But remember, black leather looks wrong with timber unless it's very dark or palest blond.
Colour is fun. At parties all the girls in black look stunning but the ones wearing bright colours have all the friends. Take inspiration from the room inhabited by Audrey Hepburn's character in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, where Holly Golightly threw together the most unlikely eclectic items, and it worked in a fun and funky way.
Cheap things usually look cheap. Whether it's a T-shirt or sofa, there are things you should splash out on and things you can skimp on. You don't want your house to be the poor relation of the neighbourhood; you want it to be the princess. Splurge on sofas, curtains and cushions, which look terrible if they're cheap, save on vases, dining furniture and china.
Less is more. Coco Chanel famously said that after you've dressed you should look in the mirror and then take something off. For rooms, it's great advice. Minimal is always effective in a modern home. But traditional family homes need some layering to look warm and friendly.
Recycle. If you'd hung on to your dad's wedding suit waistcoat you could be wearing it now. The same goes for accessories. That funky clock might not look great in the kitchen any more but it would look great in your child's room.
Embrace the season. In winter you wear wool, in summer it's chiffon and cotton. Have two looks for your home: put away your shiny satins and sparkles and get cosy and snugly with woollen throws, warm-coloured accessories and shag rugs.
* Brenda Ward is the editor of Your Home & Garden
Inspired by the stars
Andy Warhol: industrial cabinets meet mirror balls, as in the Factory.
Katherine Hepburn: mix men's suit fabrics with curvaceous chairs.
Marilyn Monroe: hot reds, whites and billowing fabrics.
Coco Chanel: classic black and white silk cushions
