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Something Old Something New: A Guide to Mixing Modern and Antique Furniture

June 06, 2018

Something Old Something New: A Guide to Mixing Modern and Antique Furniture - English Georgian America

Creating a new look for your home is always exciting, yet can be challenging. Many people struggle with the choice between a more modern style or going strictly vintage. But there's really no reason that you can't have both!

Mixing modern and antique furniture is a growing trend that gives you tons of design options to choose from. Modern vintage style gives you the best of both worlds, creating an eclectic look in your home that you'll absolutely love spending time in with family and friends.

Let's take a closer look at some ideas for combining vintage and modern interiors.

Something Old Something New: A Guide to Mixing Modern and Antique Furniture

Are you trapped between your love of antiques and a fondness for modern design? Mixing antique furniture is an interior design trend that's catching on. Here's how you can master it without trawling the antique stores for expensive items.

Make the Most of Lightening and Reflection

This is one of the easiest techniques for maximizing the design elements of a space when combining new and old. And it proves that you don't need to be a master decorator to pull off a stunning look.

We encourage you to try adding small lighting touches, gradually over time, like an ornate vintage glass chandelier in a more contemporary room. Likewise, an antique French gilt mirror adds tremendous class and character while also beautifully reflecting the light of the space.

Mirrors create a greater sense of warmth while producing the illusion of greater space. Be creative with mirrors, utilizing different sizes and placement around contemporary furniture.

Use the 80/20 Rule

When combining old with new, the majority of your space will typically be contemporary. Thus the remaining 20 percent will utilize a variety of vintage accents rather than pieces of furniture. Some great examples of the 80/20 rule might include using framed maps, clocks, or even leather-bound books.

Have fun with it. Experiment with accent pieces, and move furniture around. You never know what combination of pieces will bring your room to life.

Be Bold with Your Color Combinations

Keep in mind that one of the keys to mixing antique and modern furniture is contrast. And one of the simplest ways of accomplishing this is with the color palette you utilize.

Don't be afraid to choose vibrant shades like slate blue and jungle green that will vie for dominance in your space. Aprofessional interior decorator would, of course, be disciplined about sticking to a defined color scheme, but also wouldn't hesitate to make bold choices.

A smart way to avoid potential color clashes is by focusing on balance, carefully building a collection that fits your own sense of style. Let your space evolve, creating a cohesive look over time.

Subtly Acknowledge the Past

Remember, it often takes very little to make a huge impact on a room. Perhaps add a single antique cabinet to an otherwise completely contemporary room such as a minimalist kitchen or dining room.

A single piece ofantique furniture won't take anything away from your contemporary look, yet will create a surprisingly harmonious balance of new and old.

Make the Most of Small Spaces

Consider using oversized antique pieces in smaller rooms, such as a saucer-shaped sofa in a cramped living room.

You can have a lot of fun playing with proportions. Start with a focal point that draws the eye, like a vintage dining table, and then use modern accents to enhance, creating a sense of grandeur.

Use Textiles to Create Dimension

One of the most effective ways to add timeless warmth to a room is by adding vintage textiles. This could include examples like hand-knotted Persian carpeting, exotic animal-print carpet runners or various styles of area rugs.

Use textiles to create contrast or to add a pop of color. Or if you like, go with a more grounded look with earth-toned fabrics to create dimension against brightly upholstered pieces.

Use the Power of Repetition

This is another technique you can use to really make a statement. Even though you might naturally gravitate toward a decorative style that's more eclectic, too many disparate style elements can be confusing to the eye. Keep in mind that the goal is to create a cohesive look.

To achieve this sense of cohesion, perhaps use a common color scheme, similar materials, or repeated patterns, then use at least one mutual feature in each of the pieces to tie it all together.

Artwork with Your Sofa

Everyone says that a little goes a long way, and this is especially true when you use a piece of antique artwork as an accent for your new sofa. A flea market can be an amazing place to find an old portrait, or a frame, or severallandscape paintings that work as a theme.

It can be exciting to mix and match, to see what kind of look you can create to complement your beautiful new sofa.

Antique Planters

There's really no quicker way to add life to your home than with plants. And plants are also effective at tying varying styles together. That's why you'll love using antique planters for your new plants.

Planters are fabulous because you can find them for almost nothing. Again, check out our website or your local flee markets. Spend a few dollars or several hundred, you really can't go wrong regardless of budget limitations.

Plants bring a freshness to your home, and easily blend with pieces from another era to add richness to any modern home.

Cultivating the Perfect Design

Mixing modern and antique furniture offers you the opportunity to create a look of sophistication. Keep in mind that you don't have to spend a fortune. Take advantage of our shop, flea markets and garage sales for treasures that will add tremendous accent to your home.

Modern interiors with antique decor ideas take your home to the next level. The ideas featured here are relatively simple to implement and can be accomplished on even the most conservative of budgets.

Click here to learn about 8 style periods for antique reproduction furniture.