My Favorite Design Approach - Mixing Old & New
If you are looking to add interest, layers, and cozy to your home or room, you should consider mixing old with new if you’re not already!
Let me explain and show you some photos. :)
For example, if you have a new-build that needs some character, as 99% of them do, adding family heirlooms or vintage decor finds when decorating instantly does the trick. You could even take it a step further and do more to the design of the home by swapping builder-grade light fixtures for safe used ones that are eye-catching (these don’t need to be very old to do the job). Adding vintage hardware to kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom cabinets is another way to easily add character. Facebook Marketplace, estate sales, yard sales, thrift stores, and even friends and family can be amazing sources to find treasures.
And don’t forget about rugs! Used, older rugs can clean up beautifully and transform a space.
I LOVE what my friend, Lauren, did here to her new-build home for her kids’ homeschooling setup! This is a smart way to use dead space that does not interfere with her walkway in the main living area. It also balances her fireplace addition on the opposite side of the room. Notice Lauren’s gallery wall she made using mixed media hanging from a rod and chains. It’s a classic way to add character to a space, and matches her style perfectly.
Lauren is my kindred spirit with her love for decorating and finding solutions for her family. She is a Facebook Marketplace queen too! That’s actually how we met - she was selling a framed print that I really loved! I’m glad to have her for this example of mixing older decor to a new house to create Home!
Next we have a perfect example of a new home filled with family heirlooms. I met the owner of this home from a referral. She moved here from another state with all of her beautiful belongings to be be closer to her children and grandchildren. I had the privilege of helping her decide where to hang the wall art. She and her husband later added the blue plates to the wall, and it’s perfection!
This photo beautifully shows a mix of new and older! Mixing styles and ages is so cozy, even if your taste is a bit more formal. This is classy, but NOT stuffy! We chose to hang the pair of art above the sofa to add the pair theme on the wall, and because a large piece of art next to the TV would not have been as pretty.
This is the dining area next to the living room.
See the way the modern, new kitchen looks so good with the traditional decor? I love their decor!
On the other hand, if you have an older house and don’t want to create a time capsule, adding newer decor creates a wonderful contrast. My own home was built in the mid 1970’s. When I first moved in I unboxed all my stuff and noticed I accidentally created a time capsule! I had a lot of decor from that time period, but that was not my desired look. Over the past 7 years of living here I have been adding more character to my home with the necessary remodeling, but I am also intentionally adding newer, bolder pieces than I probably ever would have. It’s always good to get out of your comfort zone. Even if it just a unique mirror in your entryway! I am in no way saying that all my things are new in my home, because it is very much the opposite. What I mean is I am making sure the decor I choose is different from my house, either older or newer than it by at least a noticeable decade. I still shop second-hand most of the time for my non-upholstered furniture.
1970’s home with some things newer and older than it:
My own foyer sports its original green swirl tile, updated wallpaper that isn’t far off from what was there originally, new trim (including a faux coffered ceiling you can see), BM Hawthorne yellow walls and trim, sconces, vintage console, and the mirror that was a bit out of my comfort zone. (In the photo frame is my last house in Georgia.)
In older homes, you can update the kitchens and bathrooms in a way that mixes timeless and trend. It is all about balance. So imagine this sandwich: older home/new tile done in a modern way/with older and modern decor.
I’ll show you a couple bathrooms:
Flip Progress for an Investor
This bathroom isn’t even finished being remodeled, but you can see the upgrades shouldn’t be dated anytime too soon.
Craftsman Inspired
This bathroom got an intense upgrade! When I make the blog post for this, I will tag it here. But this 1990’s home is now ready to be fancy for years to come!
When it comes to art, if you can get your hands on quality hand-painted works and prints from all time periods that speak to your soul, do it! That is one of the absolute best ways to make your house YOUR Home.
*PLEASE note and keep in mind that decorating and designing your home takes time, and is ever-evolving. Enjoy the process and the thrill of the hunt! Plus, our tastes can change as we grow, and the way we use our spaces may change too. So, my most important tip is to buy what speaks to your soul and avoid impulsive big purchases to keep your decor mostly things you will enjoy for years to come and to not have buyer’s remorse.
Leave a comment letting me know if you also love this approach to creating Home, or if you will give a try now!
Thank you for your support. :)
Gratefully - Desiree