How To Make Antiques Look Modern

Up until recently, I believed I would always have a modern home. Contemporary and minimalist design has always struck my fancy, so the idea of filling my home with oriental rugs or antique chests seemed far from reality. However, ever since Blair and her husband bought a home last summer, I’ve fallen in love with their decor that combines both antiques and modern pieces. Since our mom (and Blair’s mother-in-law) have numerous storage units stocked with antiques (we are so grateful!), their home reinvents classic pieces in a fresh, new light.

Whether you’re interested in restoring your antiques or prefer to source pieces online or from your favorite vintage store, today we’re sharing our tips on how to make antiques look modern in your home, as well as some chic rooms to serve as inspiration for your home! Read more below and stay tuned for our home tours to come!

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Reupholster Furniture In New Fabrics

This is one of the easiest tricks for reinventing your furniture. The fabrics on antique furniture can often look drab or faded, so reupholstering classic pieces works wonders. We recently recovered a couple antique chairs in a modern blue and white print, and the results are gorgeous!

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Mix Modern Artwork With Antique Furniture

Adding bold, modern piece of artwork into a room with traditional furniture is one of our favorite ways to decorate. A colorful abstract over a traditional buffet makes such a chic statement. (You can also pair a classic painting with modern furniture for the same effect)

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Make A Vintage Rug Look New Again With Modern Furniture

Have an oriental rug you can’t live without? A velvet, contemporary couch or two modern accent chairs can reinvent the look of an “old” rug, while adding warmth to simplistic decor.

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Add In Lucite Or Mirrored Accents

Our last trick for making antique furniture look modern is to mix contrasting furniture or accents. Pair an antique desk with a lucite chair for an unexpected combination, or add a mirrored coffee table between two classic chairs. A stack of chic coffee table books and a pair of modern lamps can dress up any antique chest as well!

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