Balancing Vintage Pieces With Modern Decor
So you’ve come across a dreamy piece of furniture at an antique store, but will it fit into your contemporary home? The truth is, your home doesn't have to stick to one singular style, and it’s often the quirky additions that make it special. Here are some ways to mix old and new in one design to create something that’s uniquely your own.
Photo via architecturaldigest.com
One way to seamlessly blend an antique into your decor is to create a layered design. While contrasting old and new pieces, you’ll also add varying textures and prints in an eclectic design that brings together a variety of different influences and styles. Stick to a simple, cohesive color palette to tie it all together.
Photo via schweitzerlinen.com
Create a bold contrast in your decor by juxtaposing vintage or antique pieces with contemporary ones. Play with the different contemporary materials like glass, perspex, and metal to contrast your wooden antiques. For example, pair contemporary chairs with a vintage desk or dining table, or place ultra-modern lamps on top of an antique dresser.
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Historic Persian or Turkish rugs are a quick and easy way to add a touch of vintage charm to an otherwise modern decor. Choose a design with hues that complement your existing furniture for a seamless transition from old to new.
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Your secondhand piece doesn’t have to keep its antique look. You can modernize an old piece of furniture with some creative upcycling! Use paint, wallpaper, varnish, or new accessories like drawer pulls and cabinet handles to add a contemporary twist to an antique.
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To avoid your antique looking like the odd one out amidst a sea of matching modern pieces, you might want to go for an eclectic style of decor. Instead of sticking to complete matching sets of items like chairs, cabinets, and soft furnishings, mix and match these items with some alternative pieces throughout the home.
Photo via schweitzerlinen.com
Make your antique or vintage find stand out by contrasting it with a modern wall treatment or contemporary art piece. Get creative in your styling, and place something like a Picasso painting next to a Victorian-age piece, or a contemporary neon sign above a midcentury modern sideboard. It will catch the eye and create an interesting talking point!