Decorating: 11 Ways to Incorporate Inherited Pieces into Your Décor
Struggling to decide which inherited pieces to keep? Read these tips on how you could integrate heirlooms into your home
Robin Braithwaite
11 October 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a freelance writer who loves beautiful interiors, sumptuous textiles, great design and social media as a means to connect with the design community.
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a freelance writer who loves beautiful interiors,... More
I think many of us have been faced with, or will face, the dilemma of having to clear out a large family home and sort through what’s of value, what should be kept, what should be sold and what should be donated. You may need to make some tough decisions. There’s absolutely no point keeping something that you’re either not going to use or not going to display. Too many of us store away the treasure because it’s just too difficult to incorporate into your décor or because you feel it’s too precious to be used. Be serious about this. Keep it because you love it and because you feel a connection to it, not because you feel obliged. But if you do feel you have to have it, make sure you use it!
Once you’ve made your cull, you are still left with the dilemma of how you include the treasured pieces you just can’t part with into your own home. Where will you put your aunt’s grandfather clock, Grannie’s armoire or Grandad’s amateur artwork? Take a look below at how you might keep some of these pieces without compromising your décor.
Once you’ve made your cull, you are still left with the dilemma of how you include the treasured pieces you just can’t part with into your own home. Where will you put your aunt’s grandfather clock, Grannie’s armoire or Grandad’s amateur artwork? Take a look below at how you might keep some of these pieces without compromising your décor.
Introduce old to new
‘Modern vintage’ – yep, it’s a real term – describes the way we incorporate pieces from a bygone era into more modern, contemporary living spaces. The great news is that mixing vintage and modern is very on-trend and is showing no sign of abating. It’s all about finding the right balance, contrasting heirloom pieces with contemporary finds.
Grannie’s console table in a modern hall, surrounded by contemporary art; a vintage grandfather clock sitting on a limewashed floor; adding a coat of contemporary colour to an otherwise old piece… Just remember it’s about bringing things you love into your living space and effortlessly creating a focal point.
‘Modern vintage’ – yep, it’s a real term – describes the way we incorporate pieces from a bygone era into more modern, contemporary living spaces. The great news is that mixing vintage and modern is very on-trend and is showing no sign of abating. It’s all about finding the right balance, contrasting heirloom pieces with contemporary finds.
Grannie’s console table in a modern hall, surrounded by contemporary art; a vintage grandfather clock sitting on a limewashed floor; adding a coat of contemporary colour to an otherwise old piece… Just remember it’s about bringing things you love into your living space and effortlessly creating a focal point.
Paint it perfect
One of the simplest ways to incorporate a vintage armoire into a modern scheme is to update it with a new coat of paint. Don’t be shy about picking a bold or intense colour. As long you can balance it against more neutral decor, it won’t overpower the space. Alternatively, let the piece speak for itself in its original finish and apply a bold, contemporary shade to the room’s walls and floors.
Tip You can go with an intense colour if you’ve got something neutral to balance it. Many decorative paint ranges are designed to be used without arduous preparation – just clean the surface and get painting!
Get expert advice on how to upcycle in your home
One of the simplest ways to incorporate a vintage armoire into a modern scheme is to update it with a new coat of paint. Don’t be shy about picking a bold or intense colour. As long you can balance it against more neutral decor, it won’t overpower the space. Alternatively, let the piece speak for itself in its original finish and apply a bold, contemporary shade to the room’s walls and floors.
Tip You can go with an intense colour if you’ve got something neutral to balance it. Many decorative paint ranges are designed to be used without arduous preparation – just clean the surface and get painting!
Get expert advice on how to upcycle in your home
Parade the personal
When my mother-in-law moved into a care home, it happened really quickly and we had no time to determine what was of value, what should be kept or even what should be donated from the items left in her house. Several years on and I’m still opening boxes with lovely tea cups, crystal glasses and bowls, and recently came across a mini grandfather clock, still bubble-wrapped and stored away.
We’re about to do a renovation and I’m determined to bring that clock into the house and feature it in our coastal-style contemporary home. It’s a piece we have to keep, we love it and it’s one of the few things that our children remember of their grandmother.
When my mother-in-law moved into a care home, it happened really quickly and we had no time to determine what was of value, what should be kept or even what should be donated from the items left in her house. Several years on and I’m still opening boxes with lovely tea cups, crystal glasses and bowls, and recently came across a mini grandfather clock, still bubble-wrapped and stored away.
We’re about to do a renovation and I’m determined to bring that clock into the house and feature it in our coastal-style contemporary home. It’s a piece we have to keep, we love it and it’s one of the few things that our children remember of their grandmother.
Make it tick
Grandad’s clock needn’t be relegated to storage when there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your modern decor. These beautiful old pieces actually find themselves at home sitting on a limewashed floor or darkened floorboards. Place the clock at the end of a hallway or on the landing. The warmth of the wood against contemporary paint finishes actually softens the sometimes sterile feel of a modern home. Of course, if you’re feeling really brave, give the old fella a lick of paint for a modern transformation.
Tip Make sure you have the clock repaired by an expert; check with your local antiques dealer to find the right person.
Grandad’s clock needn’t be relegated to storage when there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your modern decor. These beautiful old pieces actually find themselves at home sitting on a limewashed floor or darkened floorboards. Place the clock at the end of a hallway or on the landing. The warmth of the wood against contemporary paint finishes actually softens the sometimes sterile feel of a modern home. Of course, if you’re feeling really brave, give the old fella a lick of paint for a modern transformation.
Tip Make sure you have the clock repaired by an expert; check with your local antiques dealer to find the right person.
Find the balance
By surrounding a single antique piece with contemporary furniture and art, or by adding a splash of colour, older pieces will look at home. The key is to find the right balance when pairing antiques with modern pieces or when placing them in a modern room. Place smaller contemporary items on an antique sideboard; even simply adding beautiful flowers or plants can lighten up a darker, old piece. Or try setting your antique on top of a modern rug.
Tip Finding balance is not a 50/50 proposition. Try to limit your vintage furniture to one or two larger pieces per space.
By surrounding a single antique piece with contemporary furniture and art, or by adding a splash of colour, older pieces will look at home. The key is to find the right balance when pairing antiques with modern pieces or when placing them in a modern room. Place smaller contemporary items on an antique sideboard; even simply adding beautiful flowers or plants can lighten up a darker, old piece. Or try setting your antique on top of a modern rug.
Tip Finding balance is not a 50/50 proposition. Try to limit your vintage furniture to one or two larger pieces per space.
Contemporise your cover-ups
Revive a vintage chair by reupholstering it with brand new contemporary fabric. Avoid fabrics that easily stretch; it’s very hard to control lines and patterns and the fabric will wrinkle. Be bold and modernise old pieces with something bright, funky and unconventional. Alternatively, give the chair a new paint job; lacquer it in a bold colour for a contemporary finish.
Tip While this is a potential DIY job – done with some good prep, primer and a can of spray paint – first-timers should check out painting professionals to avoid the possibility of ruining an inheritance piece.
Revive a vintage chair by reupholstering it with brand new contemporary fabric. Avoid fabrics that easily stretch; it’s very hard to control lines and patterns and the fabric will wrinkle. Be bold and modernise old pieces with something bright, funky and unconventional. Alternatively, give the chair a new paint job; lacquer it in a bold colour for a contemporary finish.
Tip While this is a potential DIY job – done with some good prep, primer and a can of spray paint – first-timers should check out painting professionals to avoid the possibility of ruining an inheritance piece.
Reveal the rustic
Do you have some heirloom rugs lying around gathering dust? They’re perfect for covering an ottoman or footstool, but be sure to have them dry-cleaned first. Add a cool, modern trim, and replace the legs or paint the old ones to give the piece a more modern feel.
Tip There are many online tutorials for DIY reupholstering projects, however don’t undertake the project unless you’re sure you’re going to love the end result and/or you’re prepared to lose the piece if it all goes wrong.
Do you have some heirloom rugs lying around gathering dust? They’re perfect for covering an ottoman or footstool, but be sure to have them dry-cleaned first. Add a cool, modern trim, and replace the legs or paint the old ones to give the piece a more modern feel.
Tip There are many online tutorials for DIY reupholstering projects, however don’t undertake the project unless you’re sure you’re going to love the end result and/or you’re prepared to lose the piece if it all goes wrong.
Shine with silver
Grannie’s tea and coffee sets are incredibly functional and look wonderful in a formal setting or, if they are midcentury in style, ideally complement a more casual decor. Do something a little unexpected with the family silver: perhaps cluster pieces on a fireplace or repurpose them as vases. Display silver trays as artwork on a wall in a hallway or above a fireplace.
Tip To clean tarnished silver, rub with a sponge that has been dampened with hot water and dipped in bicarbonate of soda, then buff with a soft cloth.
Grannie’s tea and coffee sets are incredibly functional and look wonderful in a formal setting or, if they are midcentury in style, ideally complement a more casual decor. Do something a little unexpected with the family silver: perhaps cluster pieces on a fireplace or repurpose them as vases. Display silver trays as artwork on a wall in a hallway or above a fireplace.
Tip To clean tarnished silver, rub with a sponge that has been dampened with hot water and dipped in bicarbonate of soda, then buff with a soft cloth.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it
This is a really simple yet effective styling trick: use vintage jars and vases filled with prized collections. Mix tall and short, and cluster them in odd numbers to create visual weight and symmetry.
Tip Keep similar pieces in each jar – for example, vintage pegs in one, shells or vintage buttons in another. For extra visual appeal, sort like-coloured objects together, too.
This is a really simple yet effective styling trick: use vintage jars and vases filled with prized collections. Mix tall and short, and cluster them in odd numbers to create visual weight and symmetry.
Tip Keep similar pieces in each jar – for example, vintage pegs in one, shells or vintage buttons in another. For extra visual appeal, sort like-coloured objects together, too.
Add spark with art
A gallery wall of your grandad’s lifetime portfolio of landscapes or other vintage art, prints, original paintings or even mirrors has a surprisingly contemporary vibe when hung in a modern living room. Try a collection of frames in an eclectic mix of plain, gilt and wood, and play around with the composition until it feels right.
Tip Frame sentimental family pieces such as scarves, vintage wallpaper offcuts, pages from old magazines and old photos.
See how to create the perfect gallery wall
A gallery wall of your grandad’s lifetime portfolio of landscapes or other vintage art, prints, original paintings or even mirrors has a surprisingly contemporary vibe when hung in a modern living room. Try a collection of frames in an eclectic mix of plain, gilt and wood, and play around with the composition until it feels right.
Tip Frame sentimental family pieces such as scarves, vintage wallpaper offcuts, pages from old magazines and old photos.
See how to create the perfect gallery wall
Mix it up
Use your inherited pieces in unexpected ways – crystal glasses or vases as light fittings, for example, teapots as planters, clock housings as storage and antique frames holding contemporary art.
Tip Traditional elements often look less fussy when blended into contemporary spaces and add a softness to what can sometimes feel sterile in a modern setting.
TELL US…
Have you inherited a prized piece? We’d love to hear your story. Share your photos in the Comments below and tell us a little bit about it.
Use your inherited pieces in unexpected ways – crystal glasses or vases as light fittings, for example, teapots as planters, clock housings as storage and antique frames holding contemporary art.
Tip Traditional elements often look less fussy when blended into contemporary spaces and add a softness to what can sometimes feel sterile in a modern setting.
TELL US…
Have you inherited a prized piece? We’d love to hear your story. Share your photos in the Comments below and tell us a little bit about it.
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Some great ideas here but painting a gorgeous armoire shocking pink is an act of vandalism IMO. The patina of wood has enduring beauty but one would tire of that colour very quickly indeed.
Brings an individual Benton any space
From a 3000 year old refectory table to a
Le courboussier Barcelona chair:
Add simple " now pieces "
In subtle colors?
I prefer white and the timber patina of your keepsake old timer
Looks very lush !