A small vignette I created in Aaron’s office. Old: Decanter and plant pot.
Happy Monday friends! This weekend brought sunshine and some warmer weather, always a plus. I hope yours brought the same plus some relaxation and a sense of peace. Today, I wanted to chat about something that I’ve discussed frequently with friends and that’s the topic of mixing antiques (or just “old”) with new.
If I had a dollar for every-time someone said to me “I love antiques, but they just don’t go with my decor,” I’d drive myself to the antique store here locally and buy this vintage scale I’ve been eyeing but haven’t bit the bullet on yet. Because here is the answer, no matter the decor (traditional, modern, shabby chic, rustic, french modern, etc.) you can definitely mix old and new, the biggest key is just all about balance. So let’s talk shop shall we? How DO YOU MIX OLD AND NEW?
I love ginger jars, so I’m always on the hunt. 1/2 of these are antique. The candle sticks are Ikea, the mirror is a vintage look-a-like and the furniture is something I gave a makeover to. Perfect mix of old and new in this vignette.
Mixing Old and New Furniture
#1. First and foremost, this is about YOU. SO buy what you like. I promise if you stay true to yourself, somehow it always works out. At times in my life (more often than I care to admit), I’ve bought things on a whim I didn’t 100% feel good about and guess what? That item is probably in the trash, a Goodwill or a tupperware container downstairs. Your home should be a reflection of you, so make it something you’re happy looking at. I promise you, if you truly love it, there are no mistakes.
See how the old pedestals match the Target lamp base?
#2. Use color to your advantage. Did you scout a beautiful gold antique mirror that you’re still thinking about? Or even a gold little figurine? You know that gold frame you bought from Potterybarn? Perfect compliments. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO MATCH PERFECTLY. I repeat. IT DOESN”T HAVE TO MATCH PERFECTLY.
This little horse and ginger jar sit on our bar cart that I got from @grannygramshop
#3. Start small. We have a few antique pieces of furniture in our home like a beautiful record players and multiple other items I’ve given facelifts (re: #4). But, we got those later in the game when I felt like I had a handle on mixing and finding my own style. How I started? I got small things like candlesticks, little trinkets and ginger jars (my favorite thing to antique for). Have y’all noticed that big retailers often mimic an antique look? That’s because it’s SO good and I promise, going to that antique store down the road is definitely cheaper than what I’ve found as look-a-likes from PB.
One of my most favorite pieces in our home. I bought it for $175 and put about $60 worth of product in it. I absolutely love it. Something similar could retail for $2000.
#4. When you find an antique/older item, do what you want with it. I’ve painted antiques, gasp. Its 100% okay to make something fit your space. This china cabinet is a perfect example. Old, yes. My style? No. I gave it a facelift and it’s one of my FAV pieces in our house now. I have no desire to try to make a profit on it later down the road, so I don’t care that I striped it of it’s value.
Old: milkglass, ginger jars, bells. New: plate stand, water decanter, cutting boards, cookbooks, lemons, etc.
#5. Go for 80/20. When I decorate, I like to use 80% new and 20% old. Now, that’s not an exact science, but I like to make sure I have a good balance. Typically our more predominate furniture is new (or new to us), and then I like to bring in the smaller items (like antiques) to make a space.
Even in the kitchen, I have this old cutting board juxtaposed with newer boards. I love the different coloring and how they play on one another.
#6. Keep the antiques balanced throughout the rest of your home. To truly make it flow, make sure you spread it out. One room of antique and the rest modern might end up feeling off, but if you scatter a bit here and through throughout the home, it flows so much better and really makes sense.
Our living room lacks old based on all the new furniture, but through small touches like this old magazine holder, I still pull the older items in.
#7. Know that in some rooms the “old” will be more prominent/less prominent. Take our family room for instance. We have new rugs, new couches and big TV and family photographs. Not a ton of old, but that’s okay. To keep it feeling consistent as discussed in #7, we still have some antique ginger jars (mixed with some from Home Goods), an antique brass pineapple and then a fun key knick knack from my best friend on top of a coffee table book.
Velvet sofas have been in forever, but velvet is having a major moment (I personally like it anytime). I love this one mixed with some modern ottomans and a glass table, plus this modern art from @minted.
#8. Mix periods and styles. Love the 20’s? or the 70’s? Me too. But if you’re trying to mix antiques with modern items, mix it up. Maybe you have some 20s, 30s, 40s, 70s, etc. Don’t just stick to one, it will end up feeling off balance.
Our bar cart is a mix of new candles, old sticks, and new and old decanters. I took about 3 days to style this, coming back for a bit each day.
#9. Move it around until it feels right. Aaron laughs at me (or also hates me) because I’ll get a new piece, rug or something, I wont be in love right away. Sometimes you have to “try” it on for a day or two to decide. If after 24-48 hours it doesn’t feel right to me, I move it, step back and reevaluate.
Don’t be afraid to make an offer! MY gf got me this key I just layered on top of a coffee table book.
#10. Barter for your budget. I find this works 50/50, but when youre antiquing, sometimes you as the buyer have the upper hand. Can you imagine walking into PB and asking them to lower the price? I love at least trying to get an item down a bit. I’d say it’s a crap shoot, but worth trying.
Remember, old can be new again. I had these amazing antique chairs recovered and LOVE them.
It’s okay to fake it a bit. Remember when I said stores now love that old vibe? Sometimes I cave too! Our velvet sofa is new, but reflects an older time and I’m 100% okay with it. However, if I ever found a great velvet sofa in amazing shape at a reasonable price, you bet I’m getting it. Sorry, Aaron.
And with that friends, go forth (when stores open again) and shop til you drop. One thing to remember is you’re helping reduce waste when you shop these small businesses and antique stores and that’s something I can get behind. Call me up, let’s go together.
Speaking of which, today I’m working outside and using some old items in our backyard decor. Excited to maybe show you soon (our backyard is less than lovely right now). But first, LOTS OF coffee.
Do you like mixing old and new furniture? How do you like to decorate your home? Let me know in a comment below!
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This is exactly what I needed and I try to decorate my house. Thank you!!