If you're lucky enough to have a wonderful antique piece waiting to hang in your home, you'll want to give those items the love they deserve. “Southerners embrace the art of storytelling, and interior design is a great way for Southerners to tell the stories of their families and traditions,” said Sarah Hilary, founder of His Interior Design in Richmond, Virginia. I am.
If you're not sure how best to weave past finds into your modern space, keep reading. Designers have plenty of suggestions on how to make the most of special antiques without making your home look too dated.
mix period
Antique items should not be the only items in the room. It's all about skillfully combining them with more contemporary furniture. “Mixing eras and styles is about creating bold tensions and juxtapositions,” says Gray Walker, founder of Gray Walker Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Next to the modern upholstery with its smooth lines, you can easily place a rustically painted Louis his XVI Bergere covered in a classic leopard.”
Katie Davis, founder of Katie Davis Design in Houston, Texas, likes to weave in small antique pieces that add character to a space. For example, he places an antique side table between two modern chairs. “The warmth of distressed wood or bamboo makes a great addition to a living area,” she says.
This strategy can mix eras not only in the home's main living spaces, but also in the powder room. “Incorporating antique mirrors with interesting frames and aged patinas creates warmth and interest,” says Emily Wallace Wood, founder of Wallace Wood Interiors in Richmond, Virginia. “While many people may have similar 'off-the-shelf' lighting, tile and plumbing fixtures, unique additions like this make it memorable.”
Want to keep things smaller? Have fun weaving antique accessories into your more modern living room. “Small antique ceramic bowls or wooden boxes always look beautiful on a coffee table or built-in shelf with books scattered around,” says Wood. “They act like little sculptures that provide height and layers of interest.”
Hector Manuel Sanchez Styling: Holly Smith
Group items with similar finishes
Kristin Kearney, design director at Blackberry Farm Design, suggests paying attention to the finish and style when decorating with a mix of antique and modern pieces. However, you don't have to do this perfectly. “Don't be afraid of contrast, because it adds interest,” she added.
Reupholstering antique items
Antiques that have been loved for a long time may need a little refreshment. Reupholstering is a great way to breathe new life into family heirlooms that have been passed down through generations. Shani Core, founder of Palm Beach-based Shani Core Interiors, has a special love for antique rocking chairs. “I love reupholstering these jewels in vibrant prints and pairing them with waterfall skirts or long pleated skirts for drama,” she says. “Then adding contrasting welts and button tufting to bring in another pop of color is always a good idea.”
It's all about mixing the ingredients properly. Chad Graci, founder of Graci Interiors in New Orleans, Louisiana, says, “Old furniture dominates throughout the space, balancing brown wood and painted furniture with bold antiques and crisp new upholstery.'' “Make them feel welcome.”
Refinish the wood or add new hardware
There is great debate among experts as to whether repainting wooden furniture is permissible or not, but even if you fall into the latter position, you can still make small changes to the wooden parts that require a little adjustment. Note that you can. . “I would never paint or lacquer my fine brown wood antique furniture, but I love refinishing it and updating it with soft-close glides and modern hardware.” Core says. She also recommends having the glass cut to protect the surface of such pieces for generations.
No need to worry about styling a full set
If you don't have all your antique dining sets or have had to part with half of your duo chairs, don't worry. “I try to avoid completely matching pieces,” Hilary says, noting that she actually encourages her clients to break up sets when possible.
Put your antique art into a new frame
Antique art can add great soul to your home. Maybe all you need is a new frame and mat to really let it shine. “Don't be too quick to give away or hide inherited artifacts,” says Wood. “In many cases, reconfiguring a work can give it a new lease of life and add to its valuable sentimental value.”
Give your work a new purpose
There is no reason to use an antique item for its intended purpose if you find that another function is better. “Rather than using the secretary as a desk, I love setting it up as a beautiful bar,” says Richmond-based designer Ashley Hanley.