Decorating Ideas with Antique Furniture

Antiques have been used in décor for centuries and in many different ways. They add character and charm to any setting and can be used to either fill a room or utilized to "marry" the old world with contemporary taste, which through contrast highlights the individual character and beauty of each piece. 

A popular but often misused adjective in interior design today is "eclectic". This term should mean a mixture of colors, time periods, styles, trends and textures. There is a fine line however, between a well orchestrated eclectic room and a chaotic unrelated space with no unifying elements or motifs.

Filling a space entirely with antiques and vintage pieces may only take us straight down memory lane to Grandma’s house, however using an occasional inherited antique piece mixed in with more updated pieces is a fabulous way to highlight each piece separately and give the space visual excitement and a sort of discordant harmony. This in fact helps to relieve the monotony that can occur when using only one style throughout the room. Sometimes a piece might not be so easily woven into the existing décor in which case creating a vignette all its own can work wonderfully.  By creating a special backdrop for the antique or vintage piece, it then becomes a strategic focal point rather than a hastily placed afterthought.

Another way to work in a fabulous antique piece is to create something unexpected with it. I have done this many times in my own design work. Take a beautifully crafted wood framed French settee and change the finish to a lustrous metallic and reupholster it in a chic or modern fabric. Perhaps add a bright daring coat of paint to a vintage piece or stencil it with a fanciful design. Changing the hardware out can also really change the look and feel of an older piece to give it a more exciting and new vibe.

Hanging a modern piece of art hung over a distressed or vintage piece gives an exciting juxtaposition between old and new. Try pairing a modern chest with a classic antique rococo mirror and perhaps a vintage lamp and accessories on top for a look that pops! Hang a collage of modern bright artwork with a beautiful gold leafed mirror to lend a great look to an otherwise bare wall.

If you haven’t been fortunate enough to have acquired any antique pieces but would like to consider adding some to your existing décor there are a number of places I have found over the years where one can find some amazing pieces and some wonderful unexpected finds.

Estate sales are a great place to look and never underestimate the possibility of scoring a great piece at your neighborhood yard sales where often sellers have no idea of the value of the pieces they are "getting rid of". Second hand stores and consignment shops are also a fun place to browse through to see just what might be hidden under a layer of dust or ugly paint.

Auction sites can be literally filled with treasures, and even Ebay is a viable site to look for unique pieces and accessories. For luxury antique pieces, try Christie’s. Locally there are regular antique shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and I, for one, rarely miss those!

By mixing modern furniture with antiques or just using a unique piece or two as focal points can help create a unique and individualized multi layered room that captures the owner’s unique style personality and flair. With just a little creativity and by thinking "outside of the box" even the most novice of antique hunters can create something truly special by showcasing a few one of a kind antique or vintage pieces in their interiors.