5 Modern-Day Rooms Decorated With Antiques
Get ideas for balancing contemporary decor with antique and vintage furnishings to create stylish rooms with character
Decorating a home with pieces from the past can create a captivating sense of history, provide an interesting story and connect to a feeling of nostalgia. But mixing old pieces into a modern-day home can be tricky. These objects should enliven an interior with a hint of another time, not create a museum with a “do not touch” vibe.
Technically, antiques are objects more than 100 years old, while anything older than 20 years is considered vintage. That said, the process of incorporating antiques and vintage items into a contemporary home is one and the same. You want to blend the Old World with a sense of today. Here are five examples of modern-day rooms that feature classic pieces, to give you a sense of how to get the balance right.
Technically, antiques are objects more than 100 years old, while anything older than 20 years is considered vintage. That said, the process of incorporating antiques and vintage items into a contemporary home is one and the same. You want to blend the Old World with a sense of today. Here are five examples of modern-day rooms that feature classic pieces, to give you a sense of how to get the balance right.
2. Office With a Vintage Desk
Sometimes one good piece says it all. A sophisticated way to infuse history into a modern-day workspace is to incorporate a tidy-looking vintage wood desk.
Wood remains a classic material, but keep an eye out for pieces that showcase old-world methods of cutting and staining or that feature wood species that are hard to find today. They’ll add extra character and charm to your space.
A stunning backdrop will allow a wood desk to stand out even more in a modern setting. In this New Orleans home office by Rivers Spencer, a soft blue on the walls and cabinets in a glossy finish gives the room an extra edge. A gold chandelier also grabs attention, elevating the old-meets-new style even more.
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Sometimes one good piece says it all. A sophisticated way to infuse history into a modern-day workspace is to incorporate a tidy-looking vintage wood desk.
Wood remains a classic material, but keep an eye out for pieces that showcase old-world methods of cutting and staining or that feature wood species that are hard to find today. They’ll add extra character and charm to your space.
A stunning backdrop will allow a wood desk to stand out even more in a modern setting. In this New Orleans home office by Rivers Spencer, a soft blue on the walls and cabinets in a glossy finish gives the room an extra edge. A gold chandelier also grabs attention, elevating the old-meets-new style even more.
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3. Bedroom With Antique Mirrors
Antiques don’t need to be the centerpiece of the room but can instead can add more subtle character and visual layers in the form of accents. The Baroque-style mirrors in this Austin, Texas, bedroom feature gilded frames that bring in old-world style while fitting well with the updated interiors. A clean-lined, upholstered bed creates the right amount of tension between old and new.
When shopping for antique mirrors, don’t dismiss a piece for its imperfections — embrace them. Bubbling, wavy or scratched glass only add to the character.
But almost any antique or vintage mirror will work in a contemporary setting as long as the finish corresponds to something else in the space. For example, note how the mirror frames here coordinate with the petite table near the bench at the end of the bed. Creating correlation between old and new pieces is important for striking the right balance.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
Antiques don’t need to be the centerpiece of the room but can instead can add more subtle character and visual layers in the form of accents. The Baroque-style mirrors in this Austin, Texas, bedroom feature gilded frames that bring in old-world style while fitting well with the updated interiors. A clean-lined, upholstered bed creates the right amount of tension between old and new.
When shopping for antique mirrors, don’t dismiss a piece for its imperfections — embrace them. Bubbling, wavy or scratched glass only add to the character.
But almost any antique or vintage mirror will work in a contemporary setting as long as the finish corresponds to something else in the space. For example, note how the mirror frames here coordinate with the petite table near the bench at the end of the bed. Creating correlation between old and new pieces is important for striking the right balance.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
4. Kitchen With Vintage Stools
If your kitchen needs some drama, consider adding seating from decades past.
This might sound easier than it is. Antique furniture isn’t always uniform in size, and it can be difficult to find matching sets. But, again, try to embrace the imperfections. If you can’t find identical pieces, don’t be afraid to mix and match. If your kitchen design is aesthetically clean and simple, mixing an array of vintage stool styles and finishes will create an eclectically beautiful look.
Here, stools with a Lucite seat on a brass frame nod to midcentury style, creating a fresh addition to the otherwise crisp kitchen. Notice how the curved backsplash behind the stove goes even further into history, adding a traditional detail that joins the stools to create a subtle but enticing eclectic vibe.
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If your kitchen needs some drama, consider adding seating from decades past.
This might sound easier than it is. Antique furniture isn’t always uniform in size, and it can be difficult to find matching sets. But, again, try to embrace the imperfections. If you can’t find identical pieces, don’t be afraid to mix and match. If your kitchen design is aesthetically clean and simple, mixing an array of vintage stool styles and finishes will create an eclectically beautiful look.
Here, stools with a Lucite seat on a brass frame nod to midcentury style, creating a fresh addition to the otherwise crisp kitchen. Notice how the curved backsplash behind the stove goes even further into history, adding a traditional detail that joins the stools to create a subtle but enticing eclectic vibe.
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5. Bathroom With Antique-Style Fixtures
Traditional-looking fixtures in a simple modern-day bathroom are a surefire way to create style with staying power. One of my favorite ways to do this is by incorporating Art Deco- or Victorian-inspired fixtures in a contemporary setting. That way the more ornate fixtures will stand out amid the flat surfaces and clean lines, giving your eye an impressive detail to settle on.
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Traditional-looking fixtures in a simple modern-day bathroom are a surefire way to create style with staying power. One of my favorite ways to do this is by incorporating Art Deco- or Victorian-inspired fixtures in a contemporary setting. That way the more ornate fixtures will stand out amid the flat surfaces and clean lines, giving your eye an impressive detail to settle on.
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Get decorating ideas
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Browse furniture and accessories
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Nostalgic feelings arise from the soft glow of a mature chandelier. It may take you back to your grandparents’ home, a special European vacation or a memorable movie from another era.
You’ll notice that most old-world lighting fixtures are delicate and dainty. Pairing these chandeliers in settings with more substantial furnishings, like a bulkier table and visually heavier chairs, can create the perfect match.
To add more presence in the room with your vintage light fixture and to give it more attention, go big with the scale. Since these items are made up of abundant fine lines, you can get away with a bigger, more elaborate and ornate piece.
Make sure you check the wiring of your vintage or antique light to ensure it’s up to date for safe use and won’t pose a fire hazard.
Also, depending on the weight of the chandelier, you may have to install additional support in the ceiling to secure the fixture properly.
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