9 Ways to Bring Antiques Into a Contemporary Space
Hip antiques? It can happen, with these nine tips
Antique furniture can be beautifully combined with current pieces and design. They can give a space a more contemporary look while keeping the sophisticated traditional elegance in harmony along with it. The old and new, along with the right accessories, can live together very well – assuming that choosing, mixing and placing pieces are carefully thought of. Here are nine tips to make antiques work in a contemporary interior.
2. Reupholster
Timeless pieces such as an antique settee or armchair can be interesting and fascinating when used in a modern home. These pieces are a work of art on their own and when upholstered with new fabrics, they get a fresh and clean new life while keeping the connection to our ancestors alive as well.
Timeless pieces such as an antique settee or armchair can be interesting and fascinating when used in a modern home. These pieces are a work of art on their own and when upholstered with new fabrics, they get a fresh and clean new life while keeping the connection to our ancestors alive as well.
3. Use the 80/20 rule
The 80/20 rule works like this: as long as 80 per cent of your interior is unified by the same style, same period or same philosophy, you can deviate with the other 20 per cent. In other words, a fine antique can absolutely work in an ultramodern space. Just give it a try… This is a great example of using an antique table in an ultra modern urban warehouse.
The 80/20 rule works like this: as long as 80 per cent of your interior is unified by the same style, same period or same philosophy, you can deviate with the other 20 per cent. In other words, a fine antique can absolutely work in an ultramodern space. Just give it a try… This is a great example of using an antique table in an ultra modern urban warehouse.
4. Make it a focal point in a minimalist room
By sticking to one or two neutral tones in a scheme, the background becomes a perfect canvas for highlighting a particular piece. With the right lighting or a pop of accent colour or trim, an antique piece can immediately stand out. Love this patterned floor and white wall combined with the antique centre table.
By sticking to one or two neutral tones in a scheme, the background becomes a perfect canvas for highlighting a particular piece. With the right lighting or a pop of accent colour or trim, an antique piece can immediately stand out. Love this patterned floor and white wall combined with the antique centre table.
5. Balance is key
When merging two contrasting styles, creating balance is critical. Just remember one word: contrast. Mix hard with soft, use modern fabrics and colours and mix square with round.
When merging two contrasting styles, creating balance is critical. Just remember one word: contrast. Mix hard with soft, use modern fabrics and colours and mix square with round.
6. Add contemporary art for a look that’s of the moment
When adding a modern artwork to your interior you will create a different atmosphere and a modern look. This wonderful antique table combined with inspiring modern art is a great way to spice up any room.
When adding a modern artwork to your interior you will create a different atmosphere and a modern look. This wonderful antique table combined with inspiring modern art is a great way to spice up any room.
7. Let contrast shine
Let the contrast of materials, colours and shapes shine. An extreme, Darryl Carter’s daring composition of Rietveld’s Zig-Zag chair is coupled with a grand antique table! Isn’t it a marvellous way to marry modern with antique?
Let the contrast of materials, colours and shapes shine. An extreme, Darryl Carter’s daring composition of Rietveld’s Zig-Zag chair is coupled with a grand antique table! Isn’t it a marvellous way to marry modern with antique?
8. Add sparks of colour
Update your antique furniture, and this does not only mean to restore an antique piece to look like its original condition. You can also introduce a contemporary feel to it by adding unexpected colours or pattern. Add modern furnishings that are bold and bright or add standout accessories to bring an exciting flavour to a room. You can also set both modern and antique furniture against a solid backdrop to emphasise its details, colours and patterns.
Update your antique furniture, and this does not only mean to restore an antique piece to look like its original condition. You can also introduce a contemporary feel to it by adding unexpected colours or pattern. Add modern furnishings that are bold and bright or add standout accessories to bring an exciting flavour to a room. You can also set both modern and antique furniture against a solid backdrop to emphasise its details, colours and patterns.
9. Modern lamp in combination with antiques
Lamps are always a great and easy way to introduce a funky opposite to whatever else you have in the room. A mix of a modern lamp and chairs with an antique dining table gives the space an interesting look and feel.
Hip antiques? It can happen! See more modern antique interiors for inspiration here.
TELL US
How have you incorporated antiques in your modern home? Share a photo in the Comments section to show us.
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Browse Singapore home designs
A Danish Fashion Blogger With a Passion for Antiques
Lamps are always a great and easy way to introduce a funky opposite to whatever else you have in the room. A mix of a modern lamp and chairs with an antique dining table gives the space an interesting look and feel.
Hip antiques? It can happen! See more modern antique interiors for inspiration here.
TELL US
How have you incorporated antiques in your modern home? Share a photo in the Comments section to show us.
MORE
Browse Singapore home designs
A Danish Fashion Blogger With a Passion for Antiques
Try pairing a traditional desk with a contemporary chair for instant character (Eames, Kartell’s Louis Ghost, Knoll Tulip to name a few). Even a dining table with modern chairs makes a dynamic combination. Love this example of using Louis Ghost chairs in this dining area.