The love for artisanal beauty and the timeless, sustainable characteristics of antiques have influenced decor trends for decades. And current trends in design only reinforce this with homeowners – of all ages – wanting to include the richness and value of antique pieces into their modern aesthetics. According to Pinterest, “Boomers and Gen Z will find new ways to honour old stuff in their homes, combining vintage and inherited pieces with modern styles.” Simply put, antiques never go out of fashion. 

Contemporary sleek, minimalist spaces gain immediate personality with the addition of antiques which, instead of taking away from the modernity of the overall interior scheme, actually create a harmonious balance.  

“When we want furniture for our homes, we usually think of buying new items, but there are so many reasons why antiques and vintage pieces are a better buy. Antique and vintage furniture cost much the same as new furniture and increase in value, unlike new furniture. Not only are antiques a great investment, but they also have history, are beautiful and they never date.” -Jacqui Moskovitz, Director of Marketing, Operations & Procurement at The Crown Collection.

Antiques instantly add character, interest and story to a modern home. But if you don’t know how to mix the old with the new, you may end up with an interior that looks unbalanced, mismatched, or incongruous. 

(We recently highlighted Stephen Falcke’s home which is a striking case study of combining antiques in a modern home). 

You don’t need to be an expert collector to seamlessly integrate antique furniture or accessories into your home. You simply need a little knowledge of the basic principles and then you will have the tools to successfully mix and match antiques into any contemporary space. 

#1 Scale, balance & proportion

Modern homes are often open-plan and generally subscribe to a light, neutral and airy feel that may be cold, bland and lacking ‘something.’ This is where the substantial gravitas of antique pieces immediately add interest and warmth and are elevated to the status of a ‘statement piece’ or ‘conversation piece.’ It just takes one carefully selected piece to completely transform a room and break up a generic and overly coordinated contemporary look. 

To avoid a room looking ‘shabby,’ it makes sense to spread the patina of antiques throughout the space so that the curation of old and new feels fresh, balanced and intentional.

The scale and placement of furniture are just as important when decorating a room. Darker, heavier and larger antique furniture – armoires, bombe chests, linen presses, secretaires and chests of drawers – were originally designed for a unique context and should be placed against a wall. Antique dining tables, on the other hand, are the perfect juxtaposition to new contemporary chairs and will never overwhelm a modern minimalist aesthetic. 

#2 Form, function & repurposing

Antique furniture prides itself on its beauty and versatility. In their day, they were manufactured for specific functional purposes but also showcased master craftsmanship. Over the centuries, many antique pieces have evolved from their original use and are being repurposed in modern homes today. This added sustainability adds to their intrinsic investment value.

The wood carvings, curves, marquetry and decorative flourishes of antiques all perfectly complement the straight lines of modern design. (An antique armoire becomes the perfect storage signature piece for books and objets d’art or as a drinks cabinet). 

#3 Gilded, stained or bleached

Unless it is a rare collectable, antiques do not have to be displayed in their original state; they can be refinished. Your personal preferences may include gilding, staining, bleaching, painting, or upholstering – depending on the piece of furniture and your design aesthetic. 

This is also where your personality comes into play and where you get to give a piece of furniture a new lease of life; ending up with a really special and unique statement or accent piece. 

For customised finishes – including French polishing, hand gilding, paint techniques, bleaching or staining (darker or lighter) – our professional in-house restorers are available to transform any piece that takes your fancy from our store.  

#4 Colour, texture and neutrals

The biggest challenge with mixing antiques with modern pieces is avoiding visual noise when it comes to the art of marrying different styles in one space. You do not want a  room’s design to jar; its decor story needs to make sense. Even if you have a quirky or eclectic design bent, there still needs to be a sense of harmony and cohesion. 

• Unite different pieces and styles with the same colour palette – this could be wood tones, metals, an accent colour or repetitive fabrics or patterns. This is the easiest way to integrate disparate elements. 
• Refinish a variety of antique pieces in different woods with one paint colour, stain or paint technique to create visual continuity. 
• Balance a mix of signature pieces or furniture styles with a neutral or monochromatic background.
• Anchor a scheme with black accents which also adds a sophisticated design element.

#5 Signature, accent & statement pieces

The quickest way to create maximum impact in a modern space is with just one carefully chosen antique piece of furniture that becomes the hero piece of the room. This is where you can go big and bold with a large-scale piece that is dramatic and commands attention – a huge gilded mirror, a grand linen press, an ornate French sofa, a decorative screen, a large antique painting or an oversized chandelier. 

Once the main attraction is in place, you can build the rest of the scheme around that. If you are not brave enough to commit to or invest in a standalone signature piece, then start with smaller accent pieces such as side tables, a kist, a console table or an occasional chair which can all easily be moved around your home.

Antiques and The Crown Collection 

Incorporating antiques into modern spaces has never been more accessible than a visit to the Crown Collection. 

For further inspiration on how to include antiques into any design aesthetic, visit our blog page, or simply start shopping our curated collection and eclectic combination of decorative antiques and modern and classic styles.