The landscape for the home has transformed over the past few years. Many people have transformed their house into not only a home, but an office space, a play area for their children, dedicated rooms for relaxation and meditation, and more. The modern home is very much a different animal than what they were just five years ago. You may wonder how to best couple antiques and vintage items into the modern home effectively. This article will explain just that.

Know your space and style

Any talented interior designer will tell you that the first step in having a great result is to know what your beginning is. This means that you need to know the style of your space. Do you have something which is minimalistic, retro, eclectic, bold, or a combination of styles? Are you seeking to create a new look, or do you wish to add to and amplify the look that you already have?

If you wish to add to the look that you already have, then it is best that you know the era from which the most of your items came. Don’t worry. You can still add antiques to the space, but you need to do so strategically. For example, have a Steiff Bear  on your bed or nightstand to help accent the space. In other rooms you may choose to make antiques and collectibles a theme. For example, in a sunroom or dining area, you may wish to adorn a China hutch with antique or vintage dishes.

Again, the trick is to know the style of your home and the overall look and feel which you wish to have.

Highlight Your Existing Pieces

Modern and vintage go well together when you choose to accent the pieces that you already have with vintage and antique pieces. Tables can have vases or dishes added as a centerpiece to create a focal point to the room. Figurines can be added to a space to give guests something to discuss. Bedrooms can have antiques added to the nightstand or to the wall space to add originality and personality to the space.

Experiment with the proportions of space and size when you highlight your existing space. A contrast in size may help you accent and bring out the uniqueness of your antique piece. Framing a piece such as Anne Smith Etching ‘Don Quixote, The Ride can help to enhance the wall space of a room. Overall, you want to accent and not compete with the space to have an effective blend of modern and antique/vintage.

Shelves and Showcasing

One of the easiest ways in which to combine antiques, vintage, and the modern home is using shelves and showcase pieces. Floating shelves allow for some items, such as a porcelain doll, to be displayed. When using shelving, it is important to pick a shelf that has the length and depth appropriate for safely housing the antique or vintage item.

Modern showcase shelving or compartmental shelving is a great way in which to combine the modern with the antique or vintage collection. Figurines do very well in compartment/box shelving. Again, ensure that there is ample clearance for your figurine to avoid damage to the piece.

Places to avoid

When you are picking a space for your antique or vintage collection, try to find a spot which is out of direct sunlight. Sunlight and antiques tend not to do well together, especially on hand painted pieces which may dull if placed in a highly lit area. Instead, choose a spot which is illuminated adequately with interior lights and moderate to low sunlight to diminish the effects of UVs on the piece. In contrast to having too much sunlight, you should also avoid places which are too dark and humid. Moisture can quickly damage an antique or collectable. This is especially true for antiques which have fabric or paper.

For the best results, store your antique in a low humidity, amply lit area.

Things to consider

When combining antiques, vintage pieces, and modern aesthetics together, there are a few things which you should consider. First, how does the piece add to the overall look and feel of your home? If you choose to purchase a large antique or vintage piece, ask yourself if this is to be a showpiece for your space or not. Second, look at the color scheme of your space and the antique and vintage pieces. Does the color compliment or clash? To have a fluid space, you will want to have colors and styles which go well together.

Most importantly, you should ask yourself who will use the space. If you know the personality of the person or persons who will use the space, you are better suited to pick a piece that will go along well with them.

Create your own space

Marple Antiques and Collectibles has an array of unique items to meet everyone’s style. Whether you are seeking to have something minimalistic or eclectic, you can find it here. Please browse the various categories to see what we offer. Should you have questions regarding antiques, vintage items, or if you want to know more about combining antiques and vintage items with your modern home, please contact us.

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