If you love antiques or maybe you're getting hand-me-downs from aging parents and grandparents as they downsize and you're wondering how do you take an amazing collection stacked up in a store or grandma's cabinet and make it fit in your home? With a few tips, this mix of old and new can create a cozy and magical home that gives grandma cottage and modern amenities a place to cohesively live.
COLOR BLOCKING You can take a collection of items that look like they have nothing to do with each other, but if they are all from the same color family, they magically mix like they've always belonged. Think books, colored glass, a blanket, and figurine all in yellow and now you have a corner that pops with color!
MIXED METALS It might feel awkward to have a brushed nickel handle on the door, a gold and crystal clock on the dresser that happens to have matte black metal drawer pulls, but it doesn't need to be! Choose one metal as the dominate and use that primarily through the room. Do you like the brushed nickel? Use that on the light fixture, door handles and window treatments, adding the gold and black as accents with all other colors being neutral. Consider keeping all the warm metals (brass, copper, gold) in one room and using the cool metals (silver, nickel and stainless steel in another). Don't forget about texture! If you can't figure out how to mix and match what you have, mix it by texture instead. For example, a matte black metal table can be paired with polished brass accents and brushed nickel fixtures. This variety in texture prevents the metals from blending into one another and adds visual interest.
KEEP IT NEUTRAL AND FUNCTIONAL By adding jute, wood, greenery, linen, and other natural fibers, the new and old mix seamlessly. Use an old wooden steamer trunk as a coffee table or a retro cabinet as a media cabinet. A balanced mix might include a vintage rug paired with a modern coffee table, or contemporary lighting fixtures alongside retro furniture. This approach ensures that both styles are given equal prominence and the room feels cohesive.
PICK A FOCAL PIECE THAT FITS THE ROOM Select a few standout vintage or modern pieces to serve as focal points in your room. An antique chandelier or a bold, modern artwork can draw attention and set the tone for the entire space. Ensure these pieces complement the overall design and don't compete with each other. Pairing a large, ornate vintage mirror with a sleek, modern console table can create a stunning focal point without overwhelming the space. Similarly, a contemporary sofa can be complemented by a vintage rug or a collection of mid-century modern chairs.