Home Improvement

Trends come and go, but some things never go out of style in New England

By Mark Philben, The Boston Globe

May 28, 2026

5 minutes to read

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The good news these days about building and remodeling is that there seems to be an infinite variety of design and material choices. The bad news is all those choices we have at our fingertips can make it almost impossible for some people to decide which direction to go in. Many of our clients want to make a unique design statement that brings them joy while still being “timeless.” It is a fine line to walk to achieve both goals, but here are some tips.

Kitchen

Cabinets: For quite a while now, the Shaker door style has been a staple. It is the most timeless of door styles, yet can lend itself to a modern or transitional-style kitchen. There are subtle details a cabinet supplier can add to a Shaker door, like rounded or beaded details that help the door pop a little with some shadow lines.

Colors: We are doing a fair amount of bold or dark greens and blues, and they are beautiful. However, if you are going for a more timeless look, muted or lighter greens, grays, and blues are the way to go. Off-whites also never disappoint. All these lighter colors also make the space feel bigger.

Countertops: Like the cabinet colors, we have been doing some kitchens with very bold veining in the natural stone. Clients love the unique look it gives their kitchen. For the timeless kitchen, go for more subtle veining in a stone or quartz countertop. There are an amazing amount of options in both that have muted blues, grays, and even gold/light browns that can complement the cabinet color.

Hardware: A combination of knobs and handles is a timeless look that functions as well. Large vertical and horizontal handles have a modern feel, as do slender, almost invisible handles that are attached to the top of drawers and the bottom of upper cabinet doors (these will also drive guests in your house crazy when they can’t find any way to open your cabinets).

Function: Most people don’t always think this is a design element, but it may be the most important. We design most, if not all, kitchens for the very specific needs of the client, but there are basic ideas all kitchens should have.

Keep the work triangle tight and purposeful with plenty of prep space. Don’t hide the refrigerator in the old butler’s pantry because you don’t want to look at it. If you find a refrigerator offensive, get one that allows for cabinet panels to be added.

Storage is key — you can never have enough. We use more drawer bases now, rather than a typical lower cabinet with doors. The drawers are far more versatile, and actually have a more timeless look. A functional kitchen never goes out of style.

Bathrooms

Tile: There are endless styles and colors for floor and wall tiles. The primary bathroom is an area where homeowners can make a statement and add a bit of whimsy into a typically private part of the home. However, if they are looking for the timeless look, subway tiles on the walls are what we most often use. Luckily, subway tiles now come in a variety of sizes, which can add a unique flare to a space; instead of the typical 3×6 subway tile size, they come in taller and longer lengths that can look both modern and traditional at the same time. Some come in smooth surface, others can have a handmade, somewhat undulating surface that throws the light around and gives a beautiful textured finish. There are also a large variety of colors to choose from, although the white subway is the most timeless look. You can also play with the grout color and go with medium or darker to make the wall pop.

Nothing says “timeless” floor tile like a mosaic or penny tile. These are all smaller tiles that work well as the main and shower floors. They are practical as well because the smaller tiles have far more grout lines, which gives better traction. These also come in an endless variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

Vanity: A very nice crossover or transitional style vanity would be a console-style setup. These typically are two drawers in height with an open shelf below for towels or baskets. Console sinks of the past were porcelain and metal. That is a little retro now, but a wooden console has a furniture look that is timeless. They are not quite as functional because you can’t hide things behind cabinet doors, but assuming you have additional storage elsewhere, a console is a nice look.

The best look and function for vanity lighting is wall sconces on either side. These are a classic look and provide good lighting for getting ready.

Faucets: A timeless look for a faucet is tricky since the choice often depends on the size of the bathroom and sink/vanity. It’s safe to say any faucet with curved or softer edges would pass muster as more timeless. Faucets with square edges and right angles are more contemporary-looking. For smaller sinks, we tend to install single-handle faucets. If you are going with a two-handle faucet, we would recommend a 4-inch spread and lever handles. An 8-inch spread (meaning faucet handles are 8 inches apart) is a somewhat dated look.

Flooring

Wide-plank wood flooring is making a comeback, and it’s what you’ll find in antique New England homes. Whether it is a high-quality laminate or real wood, wider boards are helping the long-forgotten floor make a statement in your home.

Windows and Doors

Double-hung windows are the traditional New England style. What we like to do is have a window where the top sash has multiple window panes and the bottom sash has a single pane. That evokes an earlier style window, but allows more natural light into the space. If that style is too busy a look for you, we often do a two-over-two pattern with the top and bottom sashes both having a single vertical mullion in the middle. This is also a classic New England look that will feel bright and light in the space.

Entry door styles can be quite varied in New England. Our recommendation is to have some glass in the door. Many people don’t want the world looking in through the front door, and that is understandable, but we think it is important to have some natural light coming into the front hallway. We recommend a paneled door with glass across the top, or even a glass transom above the door. That will help make the entryway more welcoming.

Mark Philben is the project development manager at Charlie Allen Renovations in Cambridge. Send your questions to [email protected]. Questions are subject to editing. Subscribe to the Globe’s free real estate newsletter — our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design — at Boston.com/address-newsletter.