Living with old things
After a weekend of treasure hunting and unplugging with my best gals in Round Top, I came home with a renewed appreciation for old friends, and old things ❤️
Maybe it’s the little romantic in me, but I find that there’s something lovely at the thought that a well-crafted piece of furniture has outlived me, and has outlived the fast paced trends of our world. There’s a level of history & warmth in antique pieces that (try as we may), is hard to get with brand spanking new, fast furniture.
You don’t have to be a traditional design enthusiast to love antiques either. In fact, my favorite usages of antiques are often in more modern settings. I love a good juxtaposition moment! There’s nothing better than an unexpected yin-yang between old & new. It brings in an element of timelessness, and can make a brand new space feel as if it’s always been there.
For those who have not dipped their toes in that world, it can feel intimidating to know how to merge an antique with your personal style. With that in mind, I’ve pulled together some design thoughts around how to blend old & new.
Start small. You don’t have to dive in with a $5,000 commode from France to make an impact in your space. If you gravitate more towards the “new” - try layering in one small older element — a mirror, a modern piece of artwork in an antique frame, a vintage planter. And if you lean more towards the “old” but want to bring it all to life, try incorporating a modern piece, maybe a funky vase, or something with clean lines.
Most importantly: play around with it, experiment with mixing, and have some fun with it!
“The juxtaposition of contemporary pieces with antiques makes a room young and alive. We should not attempt to create museums, but rather should strive for comfortable living spaces of character and beauty.”
“Mix, mix, mix. Don’t recreate a room from the past. Create a room that speaks to today by mixing in both contemporary and vintage pieces. It’s exciting to give an antique new life or to present it in a new and interesting way.”
