Mix antiques with modern decor Archives - Page 2 of 2

3 Modern decor styles that need antiques

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Adding antiques to contemporary spaces, Adding antiques to modern decor styles, Antique armoire, Antique mirror, Antique rug, Antiques store Johannesburg, Chandelier, Mix antiques with modern decor, Riempie bench, The Crown Collection Antique store|

Creating a home that reflects your personality and lifestyle is comprised of varying design expressions and decor options. It often comes down to a careful balance of form and function, and mixing the old with the new. Antiques are a popular, sustainable and timeless choice – as well as a versatile solution – to getting this right across many design aesthetics.

Three decor styles that benefit beautifully from the addition of antiques are modern minimalism, modern maximalism and modern Afro-Chic. Each style has its own nuances and characteristics, but they all gain a boost of personality with the addition of well-chosen pieces of antique furniture.

Antiques and modern minimalism – ‘Less is more’

Minimalism, as a philosophy, involves stripping things down or editing things back to their most basic form. As an interior design aesthetic, it emphasises simplicity, clean lines, a neutral palette and uncluttered spaces.

A minimalist approach highlights essential elements such as light, form and beautiful materials to create a free sense of flow and calm. There are no extras and the few details that are used blend harmoniously into the overall setting.

Because the focus is on removing distractions, furniture and accessories are carefully curated and kept to a minimum. Antiques play a crucial role in a minimalistic space by adding texture, depth and interest to an otherwise monochromatic and ‘sterile’ room.

A sense of history and authenticity is often missing in a modern minimalist design and well-chosen antique furniture pieces – such as an armoire – become a purposeful focal point and conversation piece. The calm is not interrupted, but a sense of elegance is introduced into a neutral palette.

The secret is choosing an antique piece of furniture that will complement your minimalistic style story rather than detract from it.

Antiques and modern maximalism – ‘More is more’

Sophie Robinson – iconic British interior design and colour expert – is the queen of the maximalist aesthetic. One glance at her bold approach to colour and pattern leaves you energised and in awe of how her busy ‘mix-and-not-match’ philosophy just works; making even the die-hard minimalist smile and start dreaming about introducing colour or pattern into their spaces.

“This is a heartfelt design style, and you must prioritise fabulousness over practicality at every opportunity.” -Sophie Robinson. Her tips for getting the look right include using a tight colour palette to create pattern harmony and repeating similar colours, patterns and design styles for overall cohesion.

As a style, a maximalist aesthetic celebrates excess patterns, plenty of accessories and highly saturated colours; creating spaces that are extravagant and playful.

And this is where antiques quickly become the ideal solution as a much-needed contrast; allowing your eye to rest as it takes in the seemingly chaotic busyness of a maximalist-designed room.

Well-placed antique pieces also anchor a maximalist space by providing a sense of structure and balance.

A large antique mirror will cleverly and beautifully reflect the vibrant patterns and colours of the room’s decor
An antique chandelier will create a striking and definitive focal point.
An antique rug will ‘ground’ a seating area or bed and blend with all the other playful patterns and colours
An antique dresser will certainly be an arresting statement piece if painted in a bright colour.

Embracing a maximalist aesthetic is all about creative expression and how that informs your interpretation of fantasy and imagination in a space.

Antiques and modern Afro-chic – ‘A more eclectic vibe’

From the Cape to Cairo, Africa has always inspired artists and design trends. Although Afro-Chic is a hard design aesthetic to definitively pin down, at its core, it draws inspiration from our rich and diverse African culture and heritage.

It’s an eclectic melting pot of rustic elements, bold geometric patterns, animal prints, natural fibres, organic shapes, handwoven fabrics and traditional artworks.

The Afro-Chic colour palette is a visual inspiration from nature and is both subdued and edgy. Earthy tones (terracotta, ochre, orange and off-white) are the moody backdrop to vibrant green and sky blue accents as well as pink, magenta and purple hues of an African sunset which add an animated sense of joy.

The craftsmanship of antiques, the natural wood finishes and the artisanal detailing all harmonise with an Afro–Chic narrative; cleverly creating a sense of continuity to tie the eclectic ‘mismatched’ elements together.

An antique wood carving from West Africa can be repurposed as a mantle piece.
An antique beaded stool from East Africa can be used as a side table.
A rustic antique bench in front of a fireplace becomes a gathering place.
An antique riempie bench is a versatile addition to any room in the house.

Be it the clean lines of modern minimalism, the colourful boldness of modern maximalism or the eclectic vibe of modern Afro-Chic, antiques become a way to create a unique and timeless living aesthetic.

The Crown Collection – A ‘modern’ antique store

Assisting you in incorporating antiques in modern spaces – no matter your style – is what The Crown Collection Store does best. Not only will you find what you are looking for from more than 5 000 handpicked items, but any piece you purchase is an investment and likely to increase in value over time.

Whatever your modern decor preference, an antique piece is an obvious choice to elevate, balance or add contrast to your home.

Shop online or browse our curated collection in-store at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston.

5 Ways to Incorporate Antique Furniture into a Modern Kitchen

Categories: Articles, Blog, Style|Tags: Antique & vintage chandeliers, Antique & vintage clocks, Antique console table, Antique tables, Mix antiques with modern decor, Vintage silverware|

Antiques are not only rising in value, they are rising in popularity. Layering vintage and antique furniture with contemporary pieces and modern decor is a design trend aesthetic that has the industry excited. Decorating with antiques satisfies an innate need to feel a connection to the past, rooted in stories that have shaped the world we live in today. These slow furniture pieces, in a fast-paced world, hold immense charm and deserve to have a place in our homes.

But how do you incorporate these vintage items and antique furniture pieces into a modern space and still create a balance of old and new that is seamless, timeless and beautiful? How do you make it work?

Let’s look at the kitchen – the heart of the home – as a case study of how antique family heirlooms or collector’s items can ‘upcycle’ a contemporary kitchen with a touch of old-world charm.

Unless you are dealing with a complete renovation overhaul or building from scratch, a kitchen is one space in your home that you just have to live with.

Until now…

We have 5 reasons that will make you fall in love with your modern kitchen space and want to hang out there, and they all have to do with antique furniture and vintage pieces:

#1 Add a table

An antique table is the simplest way to add some unique character and personality to a modern kitchen. The juxtaposition of the warm wood tones against a sleek and minimalist kitchen backdrop creates an unexpected harmony that will keep family and guests gathered in that space.

An 18th/19th Century French farm table – with a bread drawer and a second drawer for your other needs – is perfect for a larger kitchen.

(And if that becomes your official dining space, then you will want to read our blog on mixing and matching contemporary and antique dining room tables and chairs).

#2 Add an island

If you have an open-plan kitchen that is crying out for an island, then think “antiques.” No matter what size your kitchen may be, you can introduce an antique console table or desk to fit the space. If you like, you can even spend a little more and add a granite or marble top to coordinate with your current kitchen work surfaces. This will be a “hero” piece and create some wow factor, no matter what the rest of your kitchen looks like.

#3 Add a chandelier (or two)

In the last few years, kitchens have morphed from being merely functional workspaces to places of design interest. Lighting has played a big role in this transformation. From pendant lights to centrepieces, this is where you can have fun in your kitchen. Depending on your budget, vintage or antique chandeliers will be the talk of your contemporary kitchen.

(A word of warning – chandeliers have the power to make you swoon, so the kitchen will not be the last place you add one of these glittering lovelies!).

#4 Add a clock

The kitchen is the one space in your home where a featured clock is a must. So why not go really big and add an antique grandfather clock to an empty wall? This is functional art in your kitchen and will be a definite statement piece and conversation starter.

Life’s rhythms of meal prep and family gatherings will be in perfect sync with the addition of a decorative vintage clock on the wall. There are no design rules with this one – you can be as eclectic or as traditional as you like – go Victorian with a pendulum winder or ornate Rococo.

An antique clock in your modern kitchen may be out of time, but it will never be out of place.

#5 Add some silver

Contemporary minimalist kitchens can become generic and clinical, hence the need for a little decadent decoration in the form of antique or vintage silverware. We are not talking clutter or OTT – the ‘less is more’ design principle still applies – but we are suggesting that a well thought out silver collection on open shelves, or perhaps a vintage wine cooler holding your kitchen utensils, are a perfect and effortless culinary nod to the past.

Add the Crown Collection to your online bookmarks

We could go on and on and suggest you add a versatile antique armoire to your kitchen to house your crockery and tablecloths, or even your pantry staples. But what we hope we have done is whet your appetite to visit our antique emporium – online or in-store (at 20 Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston).

With over 5000 handpicked and curated vintage and antique collectables on show, we cannot wait to see how you add a piece or two to your modern spaces.

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