One of the most stubborn misconceptions about interior design is that a room has to choose sides -- contemporary or antique, vintage or modern. The most livable rooms can�t be pinned to a decade or design period. Instead, they skillfully mix old and new pieces to create the impression of having been collected over time, a secret to ensuring that a room won�t look dated in a year -- or 10. Here are some simple strategies to help you get started.
Stick to a Neutral Color Scheme
Stick to a Neutral Color Scheme
A simple way to make a successful marriage of old and new is to keep the idea of contrast in the forefront of your mind.
Found a rustic 19th century wooden farm table on eBay? Pair it with some iconic 20th century Panton dining chairs. Picked up a classic French berg�re armchair on Craigslist? Upholster it in a modern fabric, or pair it with a lucite console and an industrial task light for a stylish desk. Got a thing for Mid-Century Modern? Keep it from looking too much like a Mad Men set by decorating the walls with 21st century photography and a gilded antique mirror.
Another way to mix old and new is to pair contemporary and vintage pieces in a similar style. A 1960s Venetian etched glass mirror will find a natural place next to ultra-contemporary lighting like the Bourgie lamp by Kartell, a plastic reinterpretation of an Italian baroque lamp. A polycarbonate Philippe Starck Ghost chair, modeled after a Louis XV armchair, will enliven and complement an antique French writing desk. Combine bentwood chairs from various eras around a sleek modern dining table to keep it from looking like a conference table.
Found a rustic 19th century wooden farm table on eBay? Pair it with some iconic 20th century Panton dining chairs. Picked up a classic French berg�re armchair on Craigslist? Upholster it in a modern fabric, or pair it with a lucite console and an industrial task light for a stylish desk. Got a thing for Mid-Century Modern? Keep it from looking too much like a Mad Men set by decorating the walls with 21st century photography and a gilded antique mirror.
Another way to mix old and new is to pair contemporary and vintage pieces in a similar style. A 1960s Venetian etched glass mirror will find a natural place next to ultra-contemporary lighting like the Bourgie lamp by Kartell, a plastic reinterpretation of an Italian baroque lamp. A polycarbonate Philippe Starck Ghost chair, modeled after a Louis XV armchair, will enliven and complement an antique French writing desk. Combine bentwood chairs from various eras around a sleek modern dining table to keep it from looking like a conference table.
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