How to Mix Antique Pieces with Modern Furniture

A room does not need to be full of antiques to feel collected. In fact, I usually like antiques most when they are mixed with modern upholstery, clean lines, and pieces that give the room a little breathing room.

The easiest way to begin is with one old piece that has presence: a mirror, lamp, chair, small table, chandelier, or decorative object. Let that piece bring the age, then keep the rest of the room balanced around it.

What works best: antique lighting over a modern table, a painted Swedish chair beside a simple sofa, an old mirror over a clean console, or a vintage lamp on a crisp bedside table.

The contrast is the point. Modern furniture keeps the room from feeling too formal, while antique pieces keep it from feeling flat.

The best rooms do not look like one shopping trip. They look like someone paid attention over time.