Mixing vintage and contemporary pieces successfully is about balance. I believe that the most beautiful spaces are those which can’t easily be placed in a specific time or era.
Layering old with new instantly creates the impression that your space is a collection of carefully considered treasures that are uniquely yours. This “conscious” interior curation creates a soulful and warm energy in interiors and with this comes an accompanying effortlessness. When we create spaces this way, what we achieve can’t be easily imitated, because it’s a true reflection of your unique style and personality.
With this in mind, let’s talk about simple ways to mix vintage with contemporary in your home:
Choose hero pieces
A nice way to blend vintage and contemporary is by using a vintage piece as a bold statement against a contemporary backdrop. Whether it’s a beautiful mid-century sideboard, antique French farmhouse dining table or a sleek new sofa, a good place to start is to pick a hero piece that will anchor the room. Once you’ve chosen this you can build around it, adding layers and textures and moments of interest through accessories, art and objects.
In the primary bedroom in my own home, for example, the “hero piece” is our Wiggle side chair by Frank Ghery. I found this at Vampt Vintage Design, one of my favourite local vintage stores in Sydney. Originally I sourced this for an editorial shoot that I was styling and I loved it so much I purchased it afterwards. It’s the perfect example of a piece which will never go out of style, what’s more it works seamlessly in a range of contexts, and is in a neutral colourway so while the room might change around it, the chair will always be classic. See my guide to buying vintage furniture for my tips on how to source one-of-a-kind pieces.
Layer textures and materials
Introducing vintage pieces through accessories, art and soft furnishings is another way to create balance. This is an approachable way to introduce colour and texture. Where you might be a bit hesitant to take the risk with on larger, more expensive pieces, here you can have fun and make bold choices, it’s easy to swap these out and make changes!
In my own living room, the gallery wall is a place where I can have a lot of fun and express myself. It’s also simple to change things here, so when I’m feeling restless I can easily swap out an artwork. This is also a great place to introduce different colours and shapes, and experiment with layering.
Take your time and buy pieces that you love
Most importantly, if you buy pieces that you love, you’ll never go wrong. At the end of the day your space is a reflection of you, and it’s for you, so it should be a place where you are surrounded by the things that make you happy. When I am curating an interior I’m always conscious to avoid anything that might look forced or contrived and this means taking the time to source pieces that are meaningful and that you really love. This is the secret to creating a space that seems like it was effortless. When it comes to a blend of vintage and contemporary, creating harmony between these elements inevitably means slowing down and sometimes waiting for that perfect piece. Once you find it, you’ll be happy that you waited!
Get in touch at the link below to book a one hour video consultation with me where you can ask any questions you might have about how to blend vintage and contemporary pieces in your space, or even if you’d like general styling advice!
