I get asked a lot about how I mix the old & the new & how I decide how many antique pieces to mix with new pieces. The simple answer is, there isn’t an exact science & if there is I can’t come up with the exact equation. But I can help, because like everything else I choose to share here on the blog.. mixing the old with the new is a HUGE passion of mine & I would love to help you learn to love it as well. Let’s use this little spot in our home for example today to find the perfect vintage & new equation…
-Where to find “the old”– antique shops, flea markets, your momma’s attic, craigslist, facebook marketplace, Etsy, eBay, & so much more. There are so many places to find great antique & vintage pieces to mix in with your new home decor to add that “old” factor into your equation.
-How many new things should I add? – This changes for every space, situation, & person… BUT the one thing I would say is you should have enough “new” to make your space function. The thing that the “new” offers is the clean modern luxury that modern technology has brought us. From new cozy sofas to new luxurious beds & new tailored linens and pillows. Example: For one of our living rooms our equation looks like this: old coffee table+ old tv cabinet+ old sofa table+ old end tables + new rug + news sofa=cozy. That’s my rooms equation, but yours could be totally different. Cozy for me is having a new modern luxury sofa among the old patina of functional antiques such as the coffee table & the tv stand.
-How many old things should I add? This also changes for every single space & persons preference. But the great thing about the “old” from antiques to vintage to chippy painted items & all the pieces with amazing patina is that they add that cozy charm to every space. I love bringing in the big antique finds from our coffee table to our mantel to our kitchen island to our accent chairs. In many of our spaces I use the chance to mix the old in when it comes to the accessories from antique clocks, vintage planters, & old candle sticks.
-Why mix old & new? That’s really simple. The old mixed with the new is basically my favorite style. It’s what elevates a room whether you love modern farmhouse style or boho to mid century modern. In every single style of decor you can mix the old with the new to amp up your cozy decor.
-What’s the final equation? The final equation is simply this OLD+NEW=COZY BALANCE. That’s it… Just as in this space I photographed for you today it shows a balance of old and new. And how they come together in a balanced equation to make the perfect cozy spot. Old buffet+ new chair+ old cloche+ old planter+ new art= cozy balance.
-Can I do it wrong? There isn’t a wrong answer when it comes to mixing the old with the new. But there is the part where your home is no longer cozy because the balance is off. Maybe there is too much old? Maybe you are looking for more old or waiting to buy more new? Look around your space and write a list of what pieces you want to switch out or to add to make your space more cozy & make your equation more balanced.
I hope this post gave a little insight in how to balance the old with the new. Honestly it’s one of those things that can be so different for everyone, but as long as it feels cozy to you and all who live in your home… that’s the perfect equation! Thank you guys so much for stopping by the blog today & every single day & as always I hope you leave the blog feeling more inspired! xx
I feel like our sense of style is a lot alike in that I love the old mixed with the new. There is just something about adding old pieces with character to newer pieces that as you said make a home so cozy. Thank you for sharing all of these tips.
I feel like the more modern homes should add a few antiques “something old and worn” to warm it up, add interest and make it feel warm and homey. And the older homes (more traditional/farmhouse style) is likely to have more “old” and should add a few newer; more modern clean lines to make it more interesting with the contrast of the old and the new. Does this sound right?
Hi Liz!
None of your blog posts are dated, as far as I can tell. Over the years I have found this to be very difficult to locate what I want and to track what I have read. Very confusing. Chronological organization is key for something like a blog. Thank you!
Is the painted console light gray or white? I’m in the process of repainting all of my “old” pieces from black to distressed white or gray. I love SW Repose Gray & Stamped Concrete. Which light grays and whites do you usually use?
Also, for the “new” I’m bringing in new upholstered furniture in gray and mixing in new wood furniture in subtle metallics like Winter Gold & Champaign’s Silver.
I love the old + new combination. It is very cozy!
Do you mind sharing where the new art is from
( big leafy green print)?
I always love your vignettes…and think I see something at work that I rely on and that is the consistent use of color to make things cohesive and tied together. Thanks, as always, for sharing your creativity..