How To Style Antiques With Modern Pieces

This Southern-inspired dining room in Old Cherry Hills is formal yet comfortable. The floral drapes and artwork offer a sense of refinement in this home which is elevated by the antique china cabinet, dining table and Eisenhower chairs reupholstered in a striped-green fabric. The finishing touch is the creamy brown wall color that adds warmth in the light of the chandelier. | Photos courtesy of  Kimberly Gavin

Incorporating antiques and vintage pieces with more contemporary and modern design gives your home a personality that you can’t find in stores—you have to create it. These pieces provide a sense of history and connection, which in turn creates timeless design. We spoke with Mary Knape and Kelly Zibell of Knape & Zibell Interior Design Inc. in Denver to get their expertise on using heirloom pieces in contemporary design to create a style that is uniquely yours.

DESIGN STRATEGIES

THE 80/20 RULE

Aim for a balance where modern pieces dominate the space, with select antique elements adding character and charm. The 80/20 Rule is a helpful guideline: Make 80 percent of your décor modern, and incorporate 20 percent antique elements, or vice versa. Focus on creating harmony through a cohesive color palette, layering of textures, and contrasting the warmth of vintage items with sleek, contemporary materials like glass or metal.

COLOR SCHEME

Opt for a unified color palette that ties together modern and antique pieces. This helps them complement each other seamlessly. Using different shades of the same base color—for example, a gradient of blue tones—can produce a cohesive and timeless look.

TEXTURE

Layering textures adds depth and visual interest to a space. Pair a smooth modern armchair with a richly textured antique rug or combine the clean lines of modern materials with the warmth and character of vintage furniture. This contrast creates a dynamic and inviting atmosphere.

ACCESSORIZE WITH MODERN TOUCHES

Incorporating modern accessories—geometric vases, abstract artwork or sleek metallic accents—into a traditional setting elevates the design, giving it a sophisticated and curated feel. These touches create an intriguing contrast, making the space feel both well-traveled and polished.

ARTWORK

Whether you prefer modern or antique art, updating your frames can transform the look. A contemporary frame around an old print gives it a fresh, modern twist, while pairing a vintage gilded frame with contemporary artwork helps ground the piece and deliver a sense of balance.

PERSONAL TOUCH

Incorporate antiques that hold personal significance to create a truly unique space. For example, if you have a cherished family heirloom, like your grand-parents’ desk, use it as a focal point. Style it with modern accessories such as acrylic picture frames, cordless rechargeable lamps or a collection of shells from your favorite beach. 

Local antiques paired with blue and green bedding draw your eye to the natural environment evoking European mountain charm.

QUALITY IS KING

Whether your furniture is from the 18th century, the 1960s or today, the quality of craftsmanship should be consistent throughout the room. Today’s high-quality, handmade modern furniture can be expensive, but well-made vintage pieces can offer a more affordable alternative. The key is to ensure that all the elements in the space complement each other in terms of craftsmanship and quality. 

CONTEMPORARY LIGHTING

Modern lighting can be the perfect contrast to vintage and antique finds. Bold, contemporary lamps and wall sconces can introduce an intriguing juxtaposition when paired with more traditional furniture. For example, a striking pendant light can make a statement while grounding a space with an oversized vintage rug, allowing modern furniture to take center stage.

MIX DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS

There’s no hard and fast rule for mixing furniture from different eras. For instance, an antique desk can easily be paired with modern chairs and lighting. It’s about finding pieces with complementary qualities, not adhering to strict time-period divides. A well-curated mix of styles doesn’t date a room—it creates a timeless, layered look that feels fresh and unique. 

PAINT A PIECE TO LIFE

A piece of furniture may have great proportions but lack a perfect finish or quality wood. In such cases, consider painting it. While you wouldn’t want to paint a piece with a beautiful patina, many furniture items can be revived with a coat of paint. For example, if you find a set of secondhand dining chairs at an auction with good structure but a less-than-perfect finish, painting them in a color of your choice can breathe new life into them. This is an affordable and fun way to incorporate unique furniture into your home while maintaining a modern edge.  

SOME FAVORITE LOCAL SOURCES

Black Tulip Estates
1370 S. Broadway 

Eron Johnson Antiques
377 S. Lipan St. 

Few of a Kind
124 Second Ave., Niwot 

Low Rider
7507 Hygiene Road, Longmont 

Mod Livin’
5327 E. Colfax Ave.

A hand-painted chest from Black Tulip Antiques, complemented by the birch bark mirror and playful fabric on the chair create a warm welcome. The silver antler lamp and stag barware draw you in.

Modern Nomad
1211 Delaware St. 

Rogala Design
2880 S. Broadway 

Styled by Austin, Fine Furniture Refinishing & Custom Lacquer Services
By appointment 

Tennyson Street Warehouse
5330 Tennyson St. 

Watson & Co.
1524 S. Broadway 

Make a trip out of it!

Round Top, Texas, is the crème de la crème for exceptional finds, with shows each spring and fall. Must-shop tents include Marburger Farms, Blue Hills, The Compound, The Arbors and Market Hill. exploreroundtop.com 

KNAPE & ZIBELL