Some materials look their best on the day they are installed. Others look better after a few years of use. We try to choose the second kind.

Favour materials that wear honestly

Solid oak, natural stone and washed linen all show age as character rather than damage. A scratch in oiled timber can be sanded and refinished. A softly worn stone step tells you the house has been lived in. Thin veneers and glossy coatings rarely recover once they are marked.

Ask for a large sample and leave it somewhere busy for a few weeks. Spill coffee on it. Scrape it with a key. You will learn more than from any brochure.

Know what to avoid

Be cautious with finishes that depend on being perfect: high gloss lacquer, pale grout in wet areas and fabrics that stain when touched. They demand constant care and tend to look tired quickly.

Keep the palette small and the textures varied. A handful of good materials, used consistently, will age more gracefully than many different ones.