How to mix vintage & antique furniture with contemporary design for a timeless home

Blending old and new to create a character-rich and enduring interior

A little black dress, a great pair of faded jeans, a black leather jacket — some things are just timeless. Just as fashion is full of trends that come and go - flares, mini skirts, wide lapels, shoulder pads - Interior design is no different. But how do we ensure we’re not dating a home instantly with trends? How can we retain vintage objects and heirloom pieces and successfully incorporate them in our homes? Blending the old and the new requires thought to achieve a feeling of balance and timelessness. Some of the most successful interiors are layered with designs that span eras and styles.

The secret to how to do this effectively is to choose with intention. Thoughtfully curating pieces is the diffence between an eclectic, stylish room and a space that feels mismatched or outdated. Contemporary art by an Australian Indigenous artist or a modern light by Tom Ford, for example, can breathe new life into a classic traditional home. A vintage chair recovered in a colourful fun striped fabric, or a rustic farmhouse kitchen table can add warmth and character to a minimalist, architect-designed space. Finally, always choose timeless classic pieces rather than chasing trends.

How to mix old with new. Tips from an interior designer

• There are a few ways to master the mix of old and new, vintage and contemporary, classic and cool - so your home feels effortlessly collected, not chaotic. Interior designers frequently draw on different interior design styles when working with clients.

• Consider mixing art, furniture and items from different eras for an authentic feel. You might already own something that would work.

• Classic pieces, vintage and antiques can work well in modern homes when included with considered restraint.

• Vintage pieces often add the character, interest or layer needed for a room to feel complete.

• Sometimes vintage furniture or older pieces may need some attention to feel worthy of being in your home. Refurbishing, reupholstery, a new shade on a lamp, a lick of paint- maybe this is all it needs?

• Balance is key when blending the old and new. Don’t follow trends too closely and choose what you love. Investing in key pieces will also help with the longevity of what you choose.

• If a room feels sterile, that’s when the older pieces may help. A vintage artwork in a perfect laundry or an antique ginger jar or dish on a new sideboard can help inject much-needed character. In turn, rooms can sometimes feel like a second-hand store with too much vintage. Update your bedside tables and retain the old lamps, for example.

I have always been drawn to fabrics, art, lighting and furniture from previous eras, particularly mid-century modern interior design. You can learn in more detail below how I incorporate them with the newer, more functional designs of our current time.

Mix old and new furniture from different eras

Antiques dealer Georgie Stogdon in her North London flat has combined antiques, mid-century pieces and new furniture to create an eclectic-styled room that has character and warmth.  In this case, the calm white walls and high ceilings provide a spacious neutral background to the eclectic combination of furniture, furnishings and textiles. When selecting the pieces in your home it can be important to understand the architecture style of the home and the power of paint colours. 

Reference: UK Antiques Dealer Georgie Stogdon’s North London flat, House & Garden UK / Jake Curtis 

At 8 Holland Street in Bath owned by gallerist and dealer Tobias Vernon, visitors can immerse themselves in the gallery's unique aesthetic. Furniture, art and textiles from across the 20th Century are mixed with contemporary pieces throughout the guest house. In the sitting room, A USM Haller blue sideboard sits below a Cornish landscape by Richard Cook. A pair of 1940s chestnut wood and woven hemp rope armchairs are a feature in the room alongside mismatched sofas. Cushions on the chairs are Vanderhurd's ‘Waver’ design bringing together the colours used in the room. the results are eclectic and vibrant but comfortable and liveable too.

Reference: 8 Holland St by Tobias Vernon, House & Garden UK

Soften a modern architecturally designed home with classic pieces and a bit of drama

I was engaged to furnish this home (my Modern Muse project) which my client bought as a new architect-designed home in inner city Brisbane. My client Kristen loved the architectural features including the concrete floors, open plan design and indoor-outdoor flow but she wanted to warm it up and create a timeless groovy aesthetic.

Her first purchase was the iconic La Mama chair which we combined with the Gravity floor lamp by Gubi adding a custom lampshade with fringing. The rust contemporary sofa by Sirkka and Ellison Studios coffee table contrast with the organic shapes while the artwork adds drama. This is a great example of how contemporary architecture can benefit greatly from vintage pieces when added with restraint and it was my role as the interior decorator and stylist for this project to make this balance work.

kristen relaxing in the La Mamma chair in the living room of her home. Modern Muse project. Francoise Baudet Photography

When in doubt add something vintage

In the emerald green kitchen of Sarah Vanrenen's London house, the traditional vintage style pink rug on the floor provides a wonderful balance for the modern colour of the cabinets. The vintage object feels right at home. It adds comfort, interest and purpose and tones down the glossy kitchen finishes.

Reference: UK designer, Sarah Vanrenan’s London House, House and Garden UK

This laundry in our French Affair project captures a sense of nostalgia for my French-Australian clients, one of whom grew up in Périgueux, in the Dordogne region of France. The vintage artwork, sourced from Vintage Art Emporium, was lovingly selected by my client. The timber bench top, crafted from a piece of wood gifted by her brother, adds a deeply personal touch. Rustic baskets and a linen skirt beneath the bench are a nod to the charm of traditional French country laundries, blending sentiment and style in this thoughtfully curated space. In this particular case, the addition of these vintage pieces also tells a story of the client and their lives.

French Affair Project, John Downs Photography

Creating a layered home often involves balancing the old and new. The artwork full of personal history hung over the brand-new console. The antique lamp adorned with a fresh new shade. To learn about how I create a layered, meaningful interior - including mixing styles- you can read more on my Decorating with Colour and Pattern Blog. Enjoy!