TOP TIPS - MIXING ANTIQUES WITHIN A MODERN DECOR
Image courtesy of Jean Louis Deniot
First Rule - there are no Rules!
Our first rule is there are no rules!… BUT there is advice and guidance about what has worked and what has not in our humble opinion. Is our opinion humble ? Not really! Having spent years learning, sourcing, planning, selecting, refining and placing furniture, accessories and art for 100’s possibly 1’000s of properties and situations, this has the effect of honing the ‘eye’ for good design, what works and what doesn’t. I don’t believe there is an innate ability for ‘good taste’ or ‘good design’ but a level of dedication, time and experience. This is where our guidance come from; a place of experience, love, passion and a little obsessiveness to know how to achieve that wonderful sense of knowing when something is ‘just right’.
Jean Louis Deniot - modern table with period chairs
Contrast is Your Best Friend
Modern and antique pieces should complement each other, not compete. A sleek, contemporary dining table? Pair it with carved Louis XVI or period chairs for a perfect mix of elegance and edge. A minimalist sofa? Try an ornate gilded mirror above it. The key is contrast—when everything is from the same era, it can feel too staged, like a museum rather than a home.
We have some favourite Designers that mix antiques and modern décor beautifully, we can’t list them all here, but here are a few of our favourites and we will share some more in other musings. Of course the super talented Jean Louis Deniot (as featured on our front page and part of our Paris Privee tour). New Orleans Queen of décor Tara Shaw a powerhouse and inspiration of showing how Antiques work in modern interiors. Then the celebrated British Designer Rita König who’s gentle demeanour and enormous talent celebrates the best in Design with the art of honouring the past and making it sublimely elegant, comfortable and current. Rose Uniacke, no one does pared back elegance quite like our beloved Rose with her wonderful London store full of antiques, textiles and inspiration. We celebrate you all!
Beware of the ‘Grannies Attic’ effect! (unless that’s what you want)
Yes, antiques bring history and charm, but if every corner is filled with elaborate 18th-century pieces, your home may feel less curated and more like you’ve inherited an aristocratic estate (without the butlers). Balance is key. One statement antique per room can be all you need to create that layered, lived-in look.
Don’t be afraid of Patina
New furniture often tries to look old with “distressed” finishes, but nothing beats the real thing. Aline is always saying, ‘Patina is proof of life!’ (usually while lovingly inspecting a 200-year-old farmhouse table). Scratches, worn edges, and sun-faded spots tell a story—embrace them rather than trying to make everything look freshly varnished.
Scale & proportion matter . . .
A dainty antique writing desk might get lost in a vast, open-plan living room, while an enormous armoire can overwhelm a small space. Susie’s tip? ‘Treat antiques like guests at a party—you want a mix of personalities, but no one should dominate the conversation.’ Although that flamboyant character in the embroidered kaftan and red glasses, does look fun and worth investigating more.
Ultimately, make it a Love Story!… when you find a piece you love, make a place for it, be a custodian, enjoy it, take care of it and when the love affair is over pass it on for someone new to care and love it. That’s what antiques are about!
Until next time, happy hunting!
- Susie & Aliné
Designer Tip…..
When starting a scheme and wanting to mix antiques in with modern pieces, identify places where to add your antique or vintage items. Don’t select them yet but make ‘placeholders’ identify their function, dimension and style/period and hold till after everything else is selected. WHY? a new sofa, rug or chairs can take months to specify, order and produce; do that first. Your antique or vintage is ready to take home once you have found it, many dealers will not reserve or store pieces for long, so pick these last once you are clear on everything else.
Of Course Rules are meant to be broken, in contrast if you see something you absolutely love and have somewhere to store it, buy it, enjoy it and work everything else around it!
