Pay close attention to colour and materiality
Commission bespoke furniture to complement antique pieces, and use more contemporary fabric to upholster these items in order to pull it all together. The two chairs below are antique which we used along with some beautiful old prints to create a focal point in the entrance hall.
We then carried this scheme through to the sitting room by using shades of the blue for the soft furnishings and created bespoke furniture in a similar rich, dark wood.
Mix dark and light wood in a single project
Brown furniture can be picked up very inexpensively and is usually beautifully made. It’s not hard to sand, prime and paint an oak or mahogany chest of drawers for a children’s bedroom. Choose an eggshell paint or even gloss white for a more contemporary look.
Match different styles of furniture
We paired an antique dining table with three styles of a dining chair reupholstered in subtly different fabrics for an updated look. This approach is slightly more eclectic. To avoid making the scheme look too stuffy, you can add one standout antique piece and match this with more contemporary furniture. This style balances old and new for a more modern take.
Create the right balance with careful distribution of designs
Distribute designs so that they aren't grouped in periods or styles. Ensure the antiques and contemporary elements are distributed carefully throughout the home so there is a balance and flow between all the rooms.
Use textures and layering - mix antiques with smooth, unblemished surfaces
Antiques and delicate detailing can provide lovely texture to a scheme and it works really well to mix this with smooth finishes in the flooring or furniture.
-
'There is nothing like it on this side of Arcadia': Hampshire's Grange Festival is making radical changes ahead of the 2025 country-house opera season -
Welcome to the modern party barn, where disco balls are 'non-negotiable'A party barn is the ultimate good-time utopia, devoid of the toil of a home gym or the practicalities of a home office. Modern efforts are a world away from the draughty, hay-bales-and-a-hi-fi set-up of yesteryear.
-
Six illuminating tips for restoring old lighting to it former gloryLighting restoration expert Jolene Farmer has weaved her magic everywhere from the British Museum to the artisan workshops of Venice. Here are her tips for bringing your old lights back to life.
-
Why you should take inspiration from overseas chic — just remember that nowhere in Britain will ever be St TropezGiles Kime offers words of sage advice for those inspired by their summer jaunts to bring a touch of continental dash back home.
-
How to give a new lease of life to a piece of old furnitureGiving an old chair a new lease of life has all sorts of benefits. Old objects bring with them a huge amount of character, can keep a link to things from your family's past and are, of course, the ultimate in recycling.
-
How to add character to a new-build house, from paint and furniture to the size of your doorsCarefully chosen furniture, paint, joinery and architectural details will all help to add character to a new house, says Clive Aslet.
-
How to keep a sense of fun without veering into 'unhinged eclecticism'The little touches added to this redesigned Oxfordshire pub keep it fresh, fun and lively without overdoing it — something we could all learn from, as Giles Kime explains.
-
How to do your own French polishing or restoration – and when to leave it to the prosAlex Webster, an antique restorer and French polisher, explains five techniques to save damaged furniture yourself with these DIY French polishing techniques – and warns you when you need to call in an expert.
