{"id":92584,"date":"2024-03-04T07:46:18","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T15:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=92584"},"modified":"2024-03-04T07:46:18","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T15:46:18","slug":"how-to-mix-vintage-with-modern-interior-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-mix-vintage-with-modern-interior-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Timeless Fusion: How to Blend Vintage and Modern Design According to Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Explore the delicate balance of design as experienced professionals reveal their insights into seamlessly blending vintage aesthetics with modern settings. Whether you\u2019re living in the historic apartments of <\/span>New York City<\/span><\/a>, to modern <\/span>Los Angeles<\/span><\/a> rentals, this Redfin article will show you how to infuse your living spaces with the richness of vintage charm while maintaining the simplicity of modern interior design.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1.\u00a0 Vintage items make your design long-lasting<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cWe believe that furnishing your apartment should be fun and should look good as well,\u201d says <\/span>Salt Lizard NYC\u00ae<\/span><\/a>, a company that revitalizes vintage and antique furniture for the modern day, offering a curated collection sourced globally and displayed with intention. \u201cIncorporating antiques into one\u2019s decor is the perfect conversation starter and it doesn\u2019t hurt that vintage and antique furniture is well-made, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly.\u201d Moreover, vintage and antique furniture is well-made, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly, making it a sustainable choice for conscious consumers. By blending old and new, you create a dynamic and personalized environment that tells a story and evokes a sense of timeless elegance.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Design with intention<\/span><\/h2>\n

When designing, consider the curatorship behind each piece and what it represents, as it adds depth and meaning to the overall aesthetic of the space.<\/span><\/p>\n

David Rosenwasser, Co-CEO of <\/span>Rarify Inc.<\/span><\/a>, specialized in curating iconic and authentic furniture crafted by history’s most visionary designers, shares, \u201cIn designing a modern space or interior, we like to consider the entire landscape of design history from the last 100+ years since the influential Bauhaus all the way up to today. For us, it\u2019s about creating dialogue between pieces of furniture or design objects related to the design movement or ideology that they are results of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We also account for material, color, comfort, and finishes as many do in choreographing a space that feels intentional. As one example, my current living room features a red leather club chair by Dieter Rams (1962), LC2 sofa in black leather by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand (1928), Womb Chair and Ottoman in yellow fabric by Eero Saarinen (1948), and white\/greyscale rug by Kurt Meinecke (1998). Textiles, planters, sculpture, artwork, and books help to build richness in the space and come from a variety of eras and materials.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As advice, we recommend thinking about who designed something and what those designs represent, not just building a space based on how something looks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Play with patterns<\/span><\/h2>\n

Playing with patterns adds depth and visual interest to your space, creating a dynamic and lively atmosphere. Mix and match different patterns, from bold stripes to intricate florals, to infuse personality and charm into your decor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tracey Langford, from <\/span>Dream 360 Vintage Designs<\/span><\/a> based in <\/span>Virginia Beach<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cOne of my favorites when mixing patterns is working with plaids, polka dots and stripes. For example, If I used a striped rug, I would mix two side polka dot chairs with a plain sofa or loveseat, adding accent pillows tying all colors together. One of my favorite decorating colors is orange, it\u2019s such a vibrant color that brings warmth to any room. So, with that said I would use orange\/cream polka dot chairs with a colorful rug and a green sofa or loveseat.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rug would have oranges, yellows, greens, blues, burnt oranges, and a hit of cream to offset the cream in the polka-dot chairs. Let\u2019s add a glass-top coffee table to place on top of the rug, to ensure the colors aren’t lost. The finishing touches of plaid throw pillows with blues, reds, greens, yellows and hints of oranges to accent and bring in the colors to offset the rug. I would leave the windows bare offering full light to the room, not to lose the vibrant colors coming out of the room\u2019s d\u00e9cor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Illuminate your space\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Update your lighting fixtures with modern designs while preserving elegance and sophistication. Suzy Chase, host of the <\/span>Decorating by the Book<\/span><\/a> podcast, recommends, “Update the lighting fixtures to more modern designs while maintaining a sense of elegance and sophistication. Consider pendant lights, track lighting, or sculptural floor lamps to create a focal point in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Experiment with different textures to add depth and dimension to the design. Incorporate modern materials like glass, metal, or acrylic alongside traditional fabrics such as velvet, silk, or wool.<\/span><\/p>\n

Combine traditional furniture pieces with modern ones to create an eclectic look. In my <\/span>New York City apartment<\/span><\/a>, I have a traditional sofa paired with a contemporary coffee table.”<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Defy passing trends<\/span><\/h2>\n

Vintage pieces stand the test of time, transcending passing trends and ensuring your space remains timeless and enduring. Incorporating these treasures into your decor protects against fleeting fads, imbuing your home with lasting style and character.<\/span><\/p>\n

Laura Umansky, <\/span>DesignDash<\/span><\/a> co-founder based in <\/span>Houston, TX,<\/span><\/a> shares “Selecting pieces from different eras, mixing vintage and contemporary, creates timeless spaces that are balanced and won’t fall victim to passing trends. We achieve this in a variety of different ways and it all depends on the client’s personality and lifestyle. If the overall design is more contemporary, incorporate a large-scale vintage chandelier or a new shade for a small, decorative antique lamp.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Antique furnishings can get a modern update with bold upholstery. And you can do no wrong with vintage rugs. The goal is to be thoughtful, accenting the base of the design with surprising contrast. Really anything goes, but remember a collected interior takes time. Don’t just pick pieces that fit empty shelves. Make sure each object is meaningful, useful, or beautiful.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Your home should reflect you\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Interior design should reflect our life’s narrative, weaving together the threads of our experiences and tastes. By sourcing furniture from different eras, we infuse each room with a unique soul, creating spaces that resonate with the richness of diverse periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mark Cutler from <\/span>CutlerSchulze<\/span><\/a>, luxury interior design firm, says, \u201cWe believe that interior design is a form of portraiture and that our homes should be able to tell the story of the families that live there. To that end, it is critical for us to mix styles and periods of furniture. Just as our lives are made of different threads, our homes should be too. Adding vintage pieces, especially ones that have some meaning, perhaps jogging a particular childhood memory or reminding us of where our families have come from, all add to the depth of experience of our home. When blended with modern pieces they create a visual timeline that speaks to the past and the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Courtesy of <\/span>CutlerSchulze<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

8.\u00a0 Rehoming vintage is sustainable<\/span><\/h2>\n

Rehoming vintage treasures not only adds character to your space but also promotes sustainability by giving new life to pre-loved items. Embracing this eco-friendly approach ensures that timeless pieces continue to enchant for generations to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

Steve Currie <\/span>Vintage Home Stores<\/span><\/a>, a second-hand furniture with online delivery, shares, \u201cHere\u2019s how to master the look:<\/span><\/p>\n