'Timeless silhouettes can take on many lives': Celebrity interior designer Jake Arnold's secrets for buying forever furniture

Designer Jake Arnold is among the most in-demand interior gurus of the moment – but we're not alone in our admiration for his expertise. 

The British-born, Los Angeles-located designer is at the top of the call list for Chrissy Teigen, Katy Perry, and Sophia Bush regarding all things design-related – and, most recently, he's been at the center of Crate & Barrel's radar. 

Jake Arnold's collection with the decor powerhouse includes 50 new pieces – designed with timeless versatility and vintage finishes that bring an intimate warmth to contemporary spaces. 

'Creating interiors that feel design-forward yet timeless is always our ultimate goal,' Jake says in an exclusive interview with H&G. 

'There are so many ways to do neutral without going all beige or using one-note fabrics and materials – through different and complementary tones of brown, green, and pink, and mixing beautiful lived-in textures. So much of this collection will easily mix with pieces people already have – they complement various wood tones, stones, flooring, and paint colors.'

Jake Arnold

In 2020, aged 30, Jake Arnold launched his interior design firm – mastering in tactile, atmospheric interiors that will stand the test of time. He has since gone on to design homes for the most fashionable figures in Los Angeles, including Chrissy Teigen and Sophia Bush. In 2021 he also co-founded The Expert – an industry-first platform that creates connections for one-to-one online consultations with over 130 respected designers. 

As Jake explains, the secret to a timeless space is found in versatile furniture that will fit in your home now – but will also work with your decorating ideas in the future.

'Furnishing a home with quality long lasting pieces is a worthy investment. I always believe that if you buy furniture with timeless silhouettes, it can take on many lives,' he says. 'Reupholster it down the road, and add new pillows and throws. Small things make a big impact when the shapes are classic and not trend-focused.'

Therefore, when designing a piece of furniture (or sourcing one for a project), Jake says that the 'quality of materials, practicality, and shape' are among the other key elements he considers – to ensure the pieces will look just as fitting in years to come.

'Will these materials age beautifully and get better with time? Will this piece serve a practical purpose over time – is the sofa comfy and deep enough? Does the cabinet provide enough storage? These were key questions we asked ourselves throughout the design process with Crate & Barrel's team. Is this style of sofa or lounge chair trendy or classic? Look at the details of the arms, the feet, and the overall silhouette to inform those considerations.'

As a result, Jake's collection with Crate & Barrel is the best place to shop for furniture that is versatile enough to age beautifully. 

'There's a 1940s feel of aged aesthetics and classic notes, punctured with very intentional contemporary touches that we brought into these designs,' Jake adds in the discussion of his pieces. 

'We wanted to weave vintage nostalgia with a modern sensibility to create a collection of purposeful pieces that focus on timeless materials that feel lived in, but also prioritizes how we live now.'

We've listed our three favorite picks below, but you can browse the entire collection at Crate & Barrel.