How to blend old and new

Featured images iStock

Mixing old and new is one of the key trends of the season. It’s a wonderful way to give your home personality and to introduce warmth, as the passage of time lends olde-worlde pieces a charm that can be lacking in items that were purchased just yesterday. However, it’s easy to overdo this look – mix too many pieces, and your home will look cluttered and confused, rather than interesting. Here’s how to get it right.

Start with what you have

Megan Morgan of Coricraft says it’s wise to do an inventory of your current furnishings, and then decide if you need more modern pieces or if it’s time to start scouring junkyards for vintage items. Remember, though, that you’ll have to choose which look you’re going for, says Alon Sachs of Mobelli Furniture + Living. Opt either for a modern look with a few key antiques to add individual style, or go for a period aesthetic where your antiques are offset by one or two contemporary items.

Don’t blow your budget

Antiques are expensive; even vintage collectables will set you back significantly. If budget is an issue, go low-key: try a modern couch with a reclaimed coffee table, for instance. Alternatively, create the same sense of contrast by mixing textures rather than periods: industrial style metal chairs with a heavy wood table, for instance.
Give yourself time.

This look isn’t about going on a spree to gather up as many pieces as you can. It’s more authentic, and therefore more effective, if it evolves slowly from a collection of things you really love. Small pieces – like clocks, vases, side tables and rugs – can all add character, Morgan notes.

Keep it simple

Instead of buying many different pieces, consider purchasing a single antique to become the focus of the room. The rest of the room should be neutral.

Blend in or contrast

One way to create cohesion between your modern and older pieces, says Sachs, is by choosing a unifying colour or texture palette. Alternatively, go bold: select deliberately contrasting pieces like a classic couch with a futuristic coffee table.

Mobelli Furniture + Living

Coricraft