Can antique furniture fit in with modern furniture?

10 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I've got a lovely antique writing desk similar to the one in the picture that's currently residing at my parents' house. I'd love to have it in our current flat, but we're in a modern new build apartment furnished somewhat like an Ikea showroom, ie boxy modern tables and shelving units and bright sofas. It's too embarrassingly chaotic to add a photo I'm afraid! I'm wondering if there'll ever be a hope having the desk it here, but I can't imagine it's possible to mix modern and antique furniture. Has anyone managed it successfully? Also, does antique ever look good in a building with a modern design?

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hayleydaniels

10 years ago

If you like how it looks in your room, it works. If not, it doesn't. You're the final arbitrator of what works as you're the one who has to live with it. Don't let design rules limit you to where you can't make your home your own.

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Comments (19)

PRO
Creative Garden Spaces
10 years ago
YES! Beautiful antique pieces can fit in nicely with modern/modular furniture and room arrangements. They become a focal point so place it where it can be that. Accessorize the piece with a small modern lamp or vases or picture frames. Have fun with it!
User
10 years ago
Ditto.
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Brass knobs! He he, sorry, had to say it:-). But for me the white cabinet handles don’t quite look right, think some small antique brass/bronze/pewter knobs would look more traditional and also suit the style of your bedstead. The one in pic is from Cast in Style but there’s plenty of places you can get cupboard knobs from. Agree with forza about a jewelry box and possibly painting behind the mirror a deeper shade. Also a dried flower arrangement would look nice. Lovely room btw. X
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Nice one Forzaitalia! My best charity shop find is the 4ft wide/7ft tall carved oak display cabinet in the library. We think it may be 1930's and american. However, for £150 I am not that fussed about the provenance! I mentioned it in my library thread along with the other bits in that room which are mostly charity shop/ ebay/ gumtree finds alongside a genuine antique green velvet chaise, a ceiling light my sister gave me when she redecorated and a lovely new Jenny Worrall table lamp. The best thing I have gained from all the lovely Houzz contributors is that how your room is designed has to work for you. I know the mix of stuff in that room would drive some folks crazy and they would hate the 'old-fashioned' style in there. However, it works for us and we love it.
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PRO
Sustainable Dwellings
10 years ago
Absolutely! It actually gives so much character to an otherwise " Ashley furniture store" blahness.....
Sarah Sally
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks for your suggestions (and reassurance!). I love the ideas of using it as a focal point and putting a modern lamp on it, I'm beginning to see a lot of potential. thank you!
butlera
10 years ago
You might just find that this quality piece grounds and lends authenticity to your space. You can always add more antiques later if you enjoy the effect. :)
Ann
10 years ago
Yes, I've done it all over my house.
PRO
ExclusiveMod Furniture
9 years ago
Yes you can, definitely. I find this works wonderfully with beach house style homes.
PRO
ARTifacts/Shanghai Green Antiques
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Antiques can certainly add a layer of elegance to a modern house. And don't be afraid to paint them some amazing color unless you intend to place the pieces in a museum or are seeking increased resale value later on (which value you will undoubtedly reduce with the paint, but it is often worth it!).

You might want to take a look at the Green Antiques Idea book "Decorating with Chinese Antiques - Design the Ultimate Beach House" for some creative ideas about how to achieve a fabulous East meets West design!

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29094412/list/Decorating-with-Chinese-Antiques---Design-the-Ultimate-Beach-House
hambirg
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It can definitely work. If you think of some of the current industrial looks, they often mix antique with modern. I visualize a converted industrial loft with modern furniture. . .lots of antique texture, a neutral palette and modern lines. This is the vibe I think can work . . .
User
9 years ago
Don't paint your antique pieces. It ruins their charm. Once you acquire the antique desk, you may find yourself adding another old bit of furniture and it will be such fun seeing how nicely they mix. It's like grandparents and children. Of course they get along!
klmt
9 years ago
I have several really nice antique pieces - a chinese export writing desk (heavily carved, ebony,) an amazing ornate ebony buffet with (lots of glass, Corinthian columns, hand painted gold trim and even semi-precious stone inlays) I inherited, a Martha Washington chair inherited, an antique chest my husband bought in Red China "capitalist zone", an amazing japanned oak headboard & footboard, and a gorgeous French armoire from my mom. There's lots more - bamboo tables, french accent chairs... but I'm only going to use the very best pcs in my new home, and not more than one antique per room. The rest of the furnishings are going more modern than we normally would, so that the antiques don't bring the house 'down' to a traditional feel and the antiques act like jewelry. Also, I'm providing a modern, gallery-like backdrop - white floor, walls, ceiling, very modern LED lighting - with lots of textures, of course, and warming it up with some wood cabinetry.
marywashington
9 years ago
Beautiful furniture goes with anything!
shars55
9 years ago
I have some french antiques mixed in my house, I think it looks much more interesting! Nothing more boring than all new furniture. A home should be filled with things you love, not just new, perfectly matched furniture. I think every home should have a few antiques.
PRO
ARTifacts/Shanghai Green Antiques
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I agree with shars55 that there is nothing more boring than all new furniture, and kmlt that an excellent decorating style strategically incorporates antiques into a modern setting., and with marywashington that beautiful furniture goes with anything. Shars55 says it all in noting that our homes should be filled with things we love, not just perfectly matched furniture.

A gallery-like white setting is indeed a perfect style to highlight and appreciate your favorite antiques and family heirlooms.

I've not yet had an opportunity to work on such a wonderful project, but one of our projects which I personally like the most is a new build traditional style home which strategically incorporated what I thought was just the right number of antiques throughout the home - Mountain Forest Chateau in Shanghai China.

Funny, but we had to import all of the new furniture back into China. Even though it was all made in China in the first place, almost all of the good furniture was (until very recently) strictly for export! Hence the need for the round trip. Fortunately, we already had all of the Chinese antiques we needed..

http://www.houzz.com/projects/594014/Design-Project---Mountain-Forest-Chateau---Shanghai-China---Green-Antiques
Ffion Francis
9 years ago
I definitely agree with the above comment that beautiful furniture goes with anything! I like to mix it up with some old and new and LOVE spending hours trawling through antique shops looking for gems. There is no better feeling than finding a gorgeous old piece of furniture and what I love most is that it has a history...a story to tell (if only furniture could talk)!
PRO
Moso Bamboo Surfaces
7 years ago
Absolutely!
PRO
Gallery Forty One | Kate Thurlow
7 years ago
Most certainly! A blend of ages and styles make for the most interesting interiors. Almost all of our clients mix antique and contemporary pieces to create unique homes.
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Ecoflap
7 years ago
We have a mix all through our house of antique, 'good' contemporary and ordinary modern items. Not all are what I'd choose but overall it works well. Good antiques well chosen can mute some of the potential brashness in very modern settings.

Can antique furniture fit in with modern furniture?

hayleydaniels

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Creative Garden Spaces

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Can antique furniture fit in with modern furniture?

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