Pairing antiques with modern furniture styles, art, accents and accessories is a completely doable plan to implement into your interior design and decorating portfolio.
Contemporary, urban, and traditional styles also love a good antiques piece thrown into the mix for very good and stylish measure.
If you don’t already know, I am an antiques dealer.
Although my brick and mortar shop, Hopefully Classic Antiques has been shuttered since 2011, I still shop, consult, appreciate, admire and generally love antique furnishings and most periods of furniture.
Do I have antique furniture in my own home?
Yes!
Only antique furniture?
No!
That too much of a good thing applies here.
All traditional, modern, contemporary, urban, farmhouse, coastal or bohemian makes the decor style of the Jack or Jill decorista a tad too tedious.
Where’s the chic in that?
I like, suggest, encourage, and admire the look created when furniture styles and periods mix and mingle in complementing harmony.
My aha moment came one afternoon at the shop when Dave the Builder was hurrying me to kick it in gear.
I asked him to move a formal set of Regency period dining chairs to the other side of the center booth.
Designer Sam Sacks~ House & Home
Trying to hurry up the process, he placed the chairs in the first place he came to which happened to be around a primitive cypress farm table.
The styles could not be further apart on the style spectrum, but the accidental pairing created a showstopping look!
A vintage chest incorporated into a modern style kitchen island as a unique addition to the central work area creates a stunning focal point.
It is my firm design and decorating belief that the cure for the commonplace lies in the incorporation of one stellar antique piece into your design and decorating scheme.
Modern and contemporary accessories exist in stylish harmony atop an antique accent chest.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photo by Brie Williams
Balance is anchored through color and placement.
Charles Faudree brings a modern twist to this traditional living room.
The combination of classic elements, styles, colors and a thoroughly modern Lucite table creates visual flow.
A space with a sense of personal style personality is the result of thinking outside of the box of standard decor rules.
Shake things up!
Take a moment to take in the neutral beauty of this Darryl Carter space.
The antique and architecturally inspired decor enhances the use of modern tables and accessories.
Antiques and vintage items find a welcomed place in new traditional styling.
Vintage items are popular with homeowners and designers alike for two reasons, affordability and accessibility.
Shop your local antiques shops, flea markets, thrift stores, garage sales or a curb side boutique for inspiration.
Most of the time I have no idea what I’m looking for until I actually see it in the store, market, yard or on the curb.
Inexpensive is good, but free is great!
A couple of coats of paint and new hardware works DIY miracles on vintage pieces.
Luxe Interiors+Design ~ Photography by James Schroder Photography
This eclectic space pulls from several styles.
A contemporary drum pendant chandelier is uniquely paired with a formal ceiling medallion.
The gold gilt mirror pops the white mantle, and the contrast does not confuse the eye.
Texture, finish, and color defines the style of this space.
A custom console flanked by an antique stool in a Dedar fabric anchor the native and modern artwork.
Pairing antiques with modern furniture styles is an natural trend for some, and a step out of the “everything must match” comfort zone for others.
Your home decor should reflect your tastes and your individuality.
The first time I suggested pairing an antique drum table with a contemporary accent chair Dave the Builder thought I had lost my mind.
He strongly protested at first.
When the wow factor created delivered its one-two punch all doubts were laid to rest.
Consider trying out the concept of mixing an antique piece with modern styles.
Don’t be surprised if you love the look!
