There's a renewed fascination with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. With the upcoming release of American Love Story sparking cultural conversation, her enduring influence has once again taken centre stage. While most remember her as a fashion icon, her minimalist, edited aesthetic offers lessons that stretch far beyond clothing. Just as her style transformed the way women approached dressing in the 1990s, her philosophy provides a timeless blueprint for how we style our homes. Here are four lessons we can learn from Carolyn.
1. Stick to neutrals, but play with texture
"I like very classic colours, black, navy, grey and white," Bessette-Kennedy said in a 1992 interview. "If I want to add some impact, I'll do it with texture." Her wardrobe proved that neutrals are anything but boring, especially when elevated with the right details. Think of a crisp white shirt paired with a slinky silk skirt, or a grey coat cut from the perfect wool. Applied to interiors, the same principle holds true. A tonal palette of whites, greys, and blacks becomes warm and engaging when layered with texture. Linen upholstery, bouclé cushions, a veined marble tabletop, and brushed metal hardware create richness without relying on bold colour. The point isn't restraint for its own sake, but the depth and sophistication that comes from contrast in materiality, not hue.
2. Never buy everything from one place
Even while working at Calvin Klein, Carolyn was known for mixing high and low, established and emerging. "Caroline never really liked wearing full Calvin Klein looks," recalls Stormy Stokes in CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life In Fashion. Instead, she blended pieces from labels like TSE Cashmere, Katayone Adeli, and Chaiken, creating a wardrobe that was distinctly her own. Interiors thrive on the same diversity. Rooms lose their personality when everything comes from one store or catalogue. A well- styled space tells a layered story, combining vintage finds, contemporary design, heirlooms, and personal treasures. It's the juxtaposition that adds soul and character. By sourcing from varied stores, artisan makers, global brands, and local markets, interiors achieve authenticity and provenance. This approach ensures your space feels curated rather than staged, timeless rather than trend-driven.
3. Keep accessories minimal, but impactful
Carolyn was deliberate with accessories. She rarely wore jewellery, but when she did, it was minimal and memorable — a simple gold chain, a pearl necklace, or her Cartier Tank watch. Her signature oval sunglasses or a silk scarf tied as a bandana carried the same quiet power. The interiors equivalent is styling with intention. Rather than crowding shelves with trinkets, let one sculptural vase, a striking artwork, or unique hardware do the talking. Accessories should feel like punctuation — rare, impactful, and considered. Negative space is just as important as what you place within it. When styling is pared back, every object feels more intentional, and the room feels calm yet distinctive.
4. Prioritise quality over brand
Carolyn avoided overt branding, preferring substance over logos. She was even said to have asked Prada staff to remove the label from a ski suit she purchased. For her, true style wasn't about recognition, it was about quality. In interiors, the same philosophy applies. A room doesn't need designer labels to feel luxurious. Instead, it needs pieces built to last, like a solid timber dining table, handwoven textiles, or artisan-made ceramics. These investments hold their value not because of a nameplate but because of their enduring craftsmanship. By prioritising quality, homes become less disposable and more enduring. Like a well-tailored coat that still looks modern decades later, a timeless piece of furniture will always feel relevant, regardless of shifting trends.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's influence endures because it was never about excess, it was about editing, refining, and choosing with intention. In a world flooded with algorithm-driven trends and endless novelty, her philosophy of less-is-more feels more relevant than ever. Whether in fashion or interiors, her approach teaches us that style comes not from what you add, but how you edit. The result is timeless, elegant, and deeply personal. It's proof that true style never dates, it simply endures.
Kerrie-Ann’s book CURATED STYLE: Artfully Edited Homes, is available to purchase now.
Feature images via Getty.
