Many designers proudly claim their latest creations are "timeless," but such declarations before time has had its say can seem pretentious. While beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder, true timelessness is proven only through the passage of time itself. Yet beyond the hollow rhetoric, the qualities of designing for longevity are precisely what we need to celebrate and strive for in today's world.

Defining timelessness in design proves rather futile, as it asks us to suspend subjective feelings and subscribe to universal principles that defy time, technology, trends, and taste. As an overused descriptor, "timeless" teeters on the brink of obsolescence, heading down the same path as other worn-out terms like "iconic," "sustainable," "classic," and "authentic." However, if we replaced the word with adjacent terms like circular, renewable, repairable, dismountable, adaptable, and regenerative, then timelessness becomes literal, laudable, and perhaps even accurate.

The longer designers grapple with the impossibility of design being anything other than extractive, the more they settle on endurance as its only viable claim of responsibility. With this perspective, "timeless" should describe the process and system of design, not just the product itself. The focus shifts from aesthetic appeal to functional longevity and sustainable practices.

Wallpaper magazine's latest feature showcases furniture, lighting, objects, and materials that demonstrate genuine commitment to longevity. The selection includes pieces both defiantly innovative and thoughtfully reissued, some with built-in lifetime repair guarantees from manufacturers, others that are eternally adaptable or reconfigurable. Whether old or new, each item has proven its ability to stand the test of time.

Among the featured pieces are classic designs like the Topan lamp from 1959 by Verner Panton, recently reissued by Tradition, and Philippe Starck's iconic Juicy Salif squeezer from 1990 for Alessi. Contemporary additions include the Martini table from 2024 by Eddie Olin and the Argento Liquido daybed from 2025 by Supersedia. These pieces represent different approaches to timeless design, from mid-century modernism to cutting-edge contemporary aesthetics.

The collection also highlights textiles and materials that embody lasting appeal, such as Anni Albers' Ancient Writing fabric from 1936, created in collaboration with the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation for Dedar. Modern interpretations include Dedar's Déjà Vu Jamais fabric in Ivory from 2024 and various stone and tile options from Marazzi and other manufacturers.

Lighting plays a crucial role in the timeless design narrative, with featured pieces ranging from Verner Panton's aforementioned Topan lamp to Michael Anastassiades' Floor Mobile Chandelier from 2005 and contemporary works like Formafantasma's Superwire floor lamp for Flos. These pieces demonstrate how good lighting design transcends fleeting trends to become permanent fixtures in our living spaces.

The furniture selection spans decades of design excellence, including Charlotte Perriand's Rio coffee table from 1962 for Cassina, Eero Saarinen's celebrated table from 1957 for Knoll International, and Hans J. Wegner's CH07 Shell chair from 1963 for Carl Hansen & Søn. These pieces have proven their worth through continued production and enduring appeal across generations.

Ultimately, while claiming timelessness before time has rendered its verdict remains presumptuous, the pursuit of longevity in design represents a crucial shift toward sustainability and responsibility. The featured pieces serve as examples of design that prioritizes endurance over ephemerality, quality over quantity, and lasting value over short-term trends. Time itself will be the ultimate judge of their true timelessness.