BLENDING STYLES
BY Pallavi Pinakin
When it comes to interior design, combining influences and pieces from different eras is a great way to create a distinctive style. Whether you’re moving to a contemporary space with a bunch of heritage items in tow or simply looking to reinvent the interiors of your home, here are some tips on how to place antiques in a modern setting.
DRAW UP A PLAN While antiques can certainly add an element of the unexpected to your home, it’s not as simple as throwing eclectic old-fashioned pieces into a modern space.
If you go overboard and combine too many styles, you’ll end up with hotchpotch for your decor! Stick with a particular category of antiques such as oriental, gothic or Victorian, or mix and match between two or more styles.
You can also decide whether a focus on antique furniture or accessories is preferred. Adding both might be overkill and make your home look like a museum! Decide if you would like to adopt a general vintage theme for the whole house or simply have one signature piece such as an ornate fireplace or a rustic table in each room.
BALANCING ACT Play around with balance and proportion. The fun thing about blending decorative styles is that you’ve already broken one basic rule… so you can break a few more!
Try adding oversized antique pieces to smaller spaces for a sense of opulence or bringing a darker accessory into an otherwise bright area.
When it comes to antiques, the focus is on style rather than tone… so you can get creative without worrying about clashing colours. Pick a vibrant vintage piece that’s evocative of Pop Art or mid-century decor and fearlessly integrate it into your home.
But don’t throw out all the guidelines. The ‘80-20 rule’ is an interior design standard for a reason – because it provides you with an effective guide that will keep your aesthetic from going off the rails. Unify 80 percent of your home under the same style umbrella while colouring outside the lines with the other 20 percent.
TAKE YOUR TIME When working with something as experimental as combining the old and new, it’s important to take your time and build up a collection.
Spend time browsing vintage markets or looking up antique dealers, and carefully choose articles that truly resonate with you and complement the decorative theme of your home.
Savour the process instead of trying to complete the process in one go.