With a trend towards transitional design, today’s fashionable homes feature an eclectic blend of contemporary and vintage style. You see it everyday in home magazines and on television, but how do you translate the look into your own home? Mixing old and new isn’t as difficult as you might think, as long as you follow these three rules.
#1. Start with good bones.
Whether your home was recently built or has been standing for quite some time will dictate the choices you make. But if you start with good bones, the rest should fall into place. Older homes have character that some newer homes lack, while new construction features all the modern convinces homeowners desire.
Take advantage of what you have by adding contemporary touches to your older home, such as stainless steel appliances or a glass tile backsplash. When decorating, tone down the traditional by selecting furniture and solid wood cabinetry with clean lines and contemporary finishes, for example, dark espresso cabinets and a modern leather sectional sofa in the TV room.
If your home is not that old or has minimal detailing, add character with vintage-inspired elements. Ideas include crown molding, board and batten wainscoting, shiplap, or wallpaper accent walls. White Shaker kitchen cabinets are classic and timeless, especially when you add charming touches like glass front doors and decorative molding.
For help in creating the perfect space in your unique home, take advantage of Willow Lane Cabinetry’s free room design service.
#2. Decorating, when done well, takes time.
Put care and thought into your décor, especially when mixing contemporary with vintage. Decorating, when done well, takes time. So have fun and be patient. Most of all, find balance. When seamlessly leaning towards the transitional, steer clear of the slick, ultra modern look on one end of the spectrum, or too many fancy embellishments on the other.
Two key elements in transitional design are comfort and function, so keep that in mind when selecting pieces for your home. Contemporary transitional elements could include glass coffee tables or clear plastic, natural stone or solid surface countertops, open shelving with metal brackets, overstuffed upholstered chairs, sectional sofas, and wood-look tile flooring.
Luckily, the recent Industrial and Modern Farmhouse movements have ushered in a resurgence of reproduction vintage items in stores and online, including oil-rubbed bronze and glass light fixtures, apron front sinks, caned barstools, galvanized metal chairs, and barn wood trestle tables. Or spend some time browsing local flea markets, antique stores, and yard sales for that perfect vintage find, including table linens, decorative pottery, and wall art.
#3. Stick with a neutral color palette.
When mixing vintage finds with contemporary home décor, you should start with a neutral background. The key is to create a seamless flow from room to room. Do this by choosing one soothing color that compliments your solid wood cabinetry, or two that are a step apart on a paint swatch, for tone on tone contrast. Sticking with one hue or color family creates cohesion, especially when dealing with an open concept kitchen, TV room, dining area and hallway.
Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!