Something old, something new. Something borrowed, something…used? Brides-to-be aren’t the only ones looking to blend old with new. Home and apartment therapy lovers also see the sentiment of mixing modern and antique designs together. Curious about blending these two style extremes? Here are five clever design tips to gussy up your pad with the aged-yet-trendy aesthetic you’re looking for.
1. Repeat After Me
There’s nothing wrong with adding a few oddball elements into your home décor. A funky throw pillow here or there, even a zig-zag rug can do just fine as long as it is balanced. Color, material, and other essential attributes should repeat themselves in your space because patterns create visual understanding. To avoid the confusion that comes with too many oppositional components, always come back to the elements you’ve chosen for consistency. As with most things, repetition is key. If you find it hard to add pizazz where you sleep, consider Hooker bedroom furniture. This furniture brings craftsmanship, architecture, and country style together. You’ll find frames that remind you of farmhouses and spaceships, all at once. The unique design combinations offer the kind of eclectic balance you need to mesh the past with the present.
2. Choose Fitting Contrasts
A lot of us have no idea what we’re doing when we’re styling a room. We’ve seen in design magazines how leopard and zebra prints are used as contrasts to liven up a space. I for one, am not an animal print kind of person, and if you’re not either, you’ll probably end up hating whatever dead jungle animal you’ve bought to compliment your room. Take a moment to consider the contrasts that make the most sense to you. If you’re a hardcore minimalist, you might want to play with shape by incorporating geometric patterns, like a print of a star map. Maybe the solution is to add a splash green color to a neutral room with an elegant house plant like the Airsai Floating Bonsai. Dig boho vibes? Consider adding oriental rugs or hand-painted furniture to your space. Whatever you decide, be sure your contrasts are fitting to your personality and choose what appeals to you visually.
3. Always Age Gracefully
Life is for the living, so don’t turn your place into a history museum. To add in antique or older elements of design, do so minimally, or you’ll lose sight of the modern aspects that prevent your home from looking like grandma’s house. A great way to start is to add antique pieces to the rooms that offer the most contemporary appeal already. If you’ve just updated your kitchen, you can warm up those bright white subway tiles with a darker, antique cupboard, or go crazy and display your dishes in a bubble glass cabinet. Be selective and graceful with your antique pieces. They should evoke subtle charm and look like they’re supposed to be there.
4. Blur the Lines
Today’s modern trends are already a blast from the past. Exposed wooden beams for one, add a rustic charm that never goes out of style. Cowhide rugs, traditional wooden floors, steamer trunks, and credenzas from any era, are four additional goodies from the olden days that merge old and new so well, you can barely tell the difference. Antique-modern blends are easier to create than you think!
5. Use Small Details
If your preferences lean toward vintage, particularly items from the Middle Ages, an eye-catching decorative piece can serve as a suitable focal point. It draws attention and adds a vintage flair without being overshadowed by the contemporary styles, making for a perfect blend of the past and the present
Don’t overlook the antique items you already have in your home. A classic book, the vase you got from some garage sale, a vintage movie poster, even certain flowers like white roses or carnations can create the feel you’re going for. If you live in an apartment or an old house, keep an eye out for golden ticket items. Those glass doorknobs, mosaic tiles, and 1920’s sconces play a major part in the overall mixture of the old and new look that your home might already display.
Yeah, old stuff is cool, but we live in a modern world, which means the majority of your style should be contemporary. Save about 20% of your aesthetic for vintage flair, and don’t forget that less is more!
