{"id":109677,"date":"2023-01-24T17:11:50","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T15:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecrowncollection.co.za\/?p=109677"},"modified":"2024-01-09T21:03:06","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T19:03:06","slug":"5-principles-for-mixing-antiques-with-modern-pieces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecrowncollection.co.za\/?p=109677","title":{"rendered":"5 Principles for mixing antiques with modern pieces"},"content":{"rendered":"

The love for artisanal beauty and the timeless, sustainable characteristics of <\/span>antiques<\/span> have influenced decor trends for decades. And current trends in design only reinforce this with homeowners – of all ages – wanting to include<\/span> the richness and value of <\/span>antique pieces into their modern aesthetics.<\/span> According to Pinterest, <\/span>\u201cBoomers and Gen Z will find new ways to honour old stuff in their homes, combining vintage and inherited pieces with modern styles.\u201d <\/span><\/i>Simply put, antiques never go out of fashion.\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Contemporary sleek, minimalist spaces gain immediate personality with the addition of antiques<\/span> which, instead of taking away from the modernity of the overall interior scheme, actually create a harmonious balance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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. <\/span><\/i>Antique and vintage furniture <\/span><\/i>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.” <\/span><\/i>-Jacqui Moskovitz, Director of Marketing, Operations & Procurement at The Crown Collection.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Mix<\/p>\n

Antiques instantly add character, interest and story to a modern home. B<\/b>ut if you don\u2019t know how to mix the old with the new, you may end up with an interior that looks unbalanced, mismatched, or incongruous.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

(<\/span><\/i>We recently highlighted Stephen Falcke\u2019s home which is a striking case study of combining antiques in a modern home)<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to be an expert collector to seamlessly integrate <\/span>antique furniture or accessories<\/span> into your home. You simply need a little knowledge of the <\/span>basic principles<\/b> and then you will have the tools to <\/span>successfully <\/span>mix and match antiques into any contemporary space.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#1 Scale, balance & proportion<\/b><\/h2>\n

Modern homes<\/span> are often open-plan and generally subscribe to a light, neutral and airy feel that may be cold, bland and lacking \u2018something.\u2019 This is where the substantial gravitas of <\/span>antique pieces <\/span>immediately add interest and warmth and are elevated to the status of a \u2018statement piece\u2019 or \u2018conversation piece.\u2019 <\/span>It just takes one carefully selected piece to completely transform a room and break up a generic and overly coordinated contemporary look.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

To avoid a room looking \u2018shabby,\u2019 it makes sense to <\/span>spread the patina of antiques throughout the space so that the curation of old and new feels fresh, balanced and intentional.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Scale<\/p>\n

The scale and placement of furniture are just as important when decorating a room. Darker, heavier and larger <\/span>antique furniture<\/span> – <\/span>armoires, bombe chests, linen presses<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>secretaires<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>chests of drawers<\/span><\/a> – were originally designed for a unique context and should be placed against a wall. <\/span>Antique dining tables<\/span><\/a>, on the other hand, are the perfect juxtaposition to new contemporary chairs and will never overwhelm a modern minimalist aesthetic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#2 Form, function & repurposing<\/b><\/h2>\n

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. <\/span>This added sustainability adds to their intrinsic investment value<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Versatility<\/p>\n

The wood carvings, curves, marquetry and decorative flourishes of <\/span>antiques all perfectly complement the straight lines of modern design<\/span>. <\/span>(An <\/span><\/i>antique armoire<\/span><\/i><\/a> becomes the perfect storage signature piece for books and objets d\u2019art or as a drinks cabinet).\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

#3 Gilded, stained or bleached<\/b><\/h2>\n

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 <\/span>gilding<\/span><\/a>, staining, <\/span>bleaching<\/span><\/a>, painting, or upholstering – depending on the piece of furniture and your design aesthetic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gilded<\/p>\n

For customised finishes – including French polishing, hand gilding, paint techniques, bleaching or staining <\/span>(darker or lighter)<\/span><\/i> – our professional in-house restorers are available to transform any piece that takes your fancy from <\/span>our store.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#4 Colour, texture and neutrals<\/b><\/h2>\n

The biggest challenge with <\/span>mixing antiques with modern pieces<\/span> is avoiding visual noise when it comes to the art of marrying different styles in one space. You do not want a\u00a0 room\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n