Celebrate the Look of Wear
Beautiful Imperfections Infuse a Room With Soul
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
Beauty isn't always new. In fact, it seems that more character can be found in things with a history. Stairs that creak. Heirloom furniture. Chairs that show generations of intimacy. A sense of history and, yes, imperfection, infuse a piece with a soul. And incorporating such pieces into a space creates a unique energy.
But how to add a worn look into your space while avoiding the overdone flea market look? How to infuse a space with a sense of raw while keeping it fresh, modern and chic? Take note from these examples of how to add a bit of the old, a bit of the worn to honor aging and its beauty while keeping your space fresh.
But how to add a worn look into your space while avoiding the overdone flea market look? How to infuse a space with a sense of raw while keeping it fresh, modern and chic? Take note from these examples of how to add a bit of the old, a bit of the worn to honor aging and its beauty while keeping your space fresh.
by Rough Linen
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This unusual headboard from reclaimed wood is not only good for the environment, but also for your sense of individuality. The roughness of each piece gets paired with the delicacy of this fine linen sheeting, and the gray choice of material ties it all in beautifully. Very Anthropologie. Very do-able.
This old and somewhat worn piano relieves this space of being too perfect. The dark color balances the whites and light paint, ties the floor into the overall aesthetic. A piece like this suggests that life is actually LIVED here.
by CIH Design
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Vibrant colors add a chic factor when dealing with older worn items. Take note of how even the oldest pieces in the room incorporate beautifully into the newer sleeker lime green color palette. High contrast (the hot pinks) and glam-but-not-gaudy rugs add a perfect touch.
| Small details throughout a space make a difference. This pillow has been constructed from a burlap sack and personalized with an initial. Ok, so leave the initial thing out of you like, but reusing fabric is a wonderful way to add history to your space. |
This room says anything but "decay." But I want to point out how wonderfully the more raw materials balance the high definition modern vibe here. The raw beams above, and the rough brick wall, provide that balance that gives dimension to this wonderfully sleek space.
A room with a very 19-century Euro vibe also incorporates the idea of roughness in its small details — things like the wood pile feet away from a gilded mirror and a chandelier. This juxtaposition is part of what creates the maddening individuality and success of this brownstone.
by Busybee Design
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This is a great example of modern meeting with worn. With a mid-century simplicity, this reading area backs into a worn curio cabinet — a piece that is strong to stand the test of time, yet shows its age.
This sleek and tall catalog cabinet is such an unexpectedly beautiful addition to the corner of this room. In the context of whites, a lovely dark floor and sleek lines, it infuses the corner with a pleasing sense of the imperfect without being too flea-market.
This door and its color is brilliant. Such a beautiful choice that makes this Mediterranean patio area authentic, individual and vibrant. This is actually easy to accomplish — old but functional doors can be found in antique shops all around. Great pairing here.
Don't you adore how this old-world stove takes center stage in this sparse and elegant setting?
This spa-like bathroom strikes a balance with the rougher wood and the large planks of less refined wood and rug below.
Older worn pieces like this rug and chaise lounge infuse a refined library with a sense of luxury. It's the kind of room that seems to have been passed down from generation to generation.
Even a small inclusion of a rougher material, such as this dining table, adds a beautiful balance to a refined monochromatic space like this.
by ABCD Design LLC
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It only takes one or two showcase pieces, such as this cabinetry, to add a touch of the worn look to a modern space.
More: Inspiring Materials: Reclaimed Wood
More: Inspiring Materials: Reclaimed Wood
Ideabook updated on March 9, 2011.
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Love the blending of the old and new elements,contrast, texture, color-makes the eyes jump. As they say 'opposites attract.