How To Incorporate Antiques Into A Modern Home

How To Incorporate Antiques Into A Modern Home

Antique daybedImage Credit: Christine Dovey
Do you love the rustic, cozy look of antiques and find yourself wishing you could pull that look off in your own home? The good news is that you can, and you won’t even have to break the bank to get a picture-perfect home. All you have to do is have an eye for design, know what you can get to work in your home, and follow these simple tips.

Don’t be Afraid to Clash

Unless you happen upon a matching set of antique dishes, picture frames, or other items, chances are you’re going to fall in love with pieces that don’t match. Don’t try to force your pieces to work together or work too hard to find matching sets. Instead, embrace the charm in the mismatched.

Give Old Pieces New Life

When you’re out searching for the perfect antique for your home, don’t discount the piece that may need a little work. Instead, look at it from a finished perspective. You may love the frame of an old chair but not the upholstery. If that’s the case, simply reupholster it tobreathe new life into your piece without completely changing its look.
Bathroom With Antique Vanity Designed By Park And Oak

Embrace Different Eras

Maybe you love an old Art Deco couch and a Victorian-era chair but don’t think they’ll look good together in your living room. There are no rules that state your furniture has to be from the same era, so embrace the eclectic look of having pieces from different eras. They’ll likely make great conversation pieces.
Kitchen Designed By Blakes London Mixing A Antique Table With Modern Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chairs. Over The Table Hangs A Mid-Century Modern Pendant Light.

Find Alternate Uses for Pieces

You may happen across an antique that has no practical use in today’s world but you still love, such as a railroad tie, for example. Give old pieces new meaning by using them in new ways. A railroad tie may become a doorstop or a set of old mason jars can let you get the perfect rustic lighting.
Vintage Card Catalog As Floating Bathroom Vanity In A Modern Bathroom Designed By Rafter House

Find Pieces that Tell a Story

Part of the joy in hunting down the perfect antique for your home is coming across a piece that tells a good story. If you find an antique that comes with a rich history, don’t hide it away in a hutch or closet. Put it on display in your home where it’s a centerpiece of the room and people can enjoy learning about.
French panelled hall stand with bench and mirrorStunning French Panelled Hall Stand With Bench And Mirror Found In Angel And Boho

Don’t Overpay for Items

Hunt around for deals at auctions, yard sales, or estate sales. You’ll likely be able to snag a great find at a great price and can save yourself hundreds of dollars you may have otherwise paid from an antique dealer.
You don’t have to be a serious antique collector to get the perfect rustic look for your home. Simply follow these tips and be patient when it comes to finding the perfect piece and you’ll get the look you want in no time.
Glass Cabinet

Design Inspiration: Paneled Walls

I'm currently obsessed with Paneled Walls and I'm itching to add a treatment in my home.

Hotel Es Vive, Ibiza. Interior designers Cochrane Design, London. 
Intrigued by the refined look of this molding but at any time there could 10 teenage boys in my house so this might be a little too formal.

Roaring Gap residence, NC. Ruard Veltman Architecture, Charlotte.

I'm digging these Grey Paneled Walls, I love the mix of the old wall treatment and the color gray.

Anne Decker Architects, Bethesda, MD. Tom Arban Photography.

Now, this is everything.  Look at the door hidden by the wall paneling. Genius.
I'm definitely in love and I have to find a way to DIY it because I'm still scared of cutting off my finger with a table saw. Sigh, phobias are the worst.

Which one do you like the most?


Be at the restaurant and feel at home at le Pavillon des Canaux

Parisians, if you�re looking for some place to forget this August dull weather, we only have one advice: le Pavillon des Canaux. This place is not only a bar and a restaurant with an amazing decoration, but it�s also the place to meet! You can practise yoga, work in a co-working space dedicated to new technologies, or attend the shootings of Arte shows. A must-see, a must-go, a must-do: we absolutely LOVE it!


restaurant in a house paris canal ourcq


How does it work? It�s very simple, you can choose any room of the house to enjoy a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a diner with your friends. Every room has its own decoration and is a small world in itself. Our guided tour:



The Coffice

A coworking space with good coffee, a good wifi connection and something which is quite rare: a wonderful decoration!

working space decor ideas

We fall for:
  • The bright coral colour among the monochrome atmosphere;
  • The pictures scotchtaped on the walls using coloured masking tape. 



working space decor ideas

We fall for:
  • The large raw wooden table keeping a friendly and communal spirit;
  • The large customized armchair and its surprising tints and patterns. 



pavillon des canaux pictures

We fall for:
  • The graphic and coloured lamps;
  • The DIY spirit.




    The dining-room


    lime green and blue dining room

    We fall for:
    • The combination of lime green and �duck blue�;
    • The retro furniture.



    The blue living-room known as �the explorer lounge�


    modern boudoir decoration

    We fall for:
    • The motley mix of items and furniture;
    • The mix of white, blue and gold. 



      blue living room decoration

      birds wallpaper decoration blue ideas

      We fall for:
      • The birdy wallpaper;
      • The fake fur on the seat.



        light blue decoration ideas

        We fall for:
        • The wallpaper just on a small part of the wall;
        • The second-hand and retro furniture.




          The Red Lounge


          vintage living room decoration

          We fall for:
          • The old-fashioned atmosphere which contrasts with the modern fluo color on the wall.



            pavillon des canaux decor paris

            We fall for:
            • The coloured lampshade framework used as ceiling lights (Watch here a DIY tutorial in English);
            • The geometric wallpaper;
            • The combination of colours: red and green



              decoration ideas pink and green ribbons

              We keep in mind:
              • The coloured ribbons holding the shelf;
              • The same ribbons used as curtain loops.




                Ground Floor Restroom


                decoration ideas for restoom and toilets

                We fall for:
                • This punchy green giving a life to the room;
                • The checker board pattern on the floor.

                  We keep in mind:
                  • One section of the wall is kept white not to feel stifled;
                  • The yard lamp used as ceiling lights.




                    Staircase


                    geometric wallpaper decoration ideas

                    We fall for:
                    • The geometric wallpaper on the risers;
                    • The pattern repeated at the bottom of the wall and looking like cement tiles. 




                      Bathroom

                      bathroom decor ideas blue

                      We fall for:
                      • The idea of having a drink in the bathtub;
                      • The bathtub �duck blue� color.




                        The "Duck Blue" Lounge 


                        restaurant decoration

                        We fall for:
                        • The combination of red and �duck blue�; 
                        • The neo-Baroque inspiration.



                        The Pink Room


                        romantic decor ideas bedroom

                        We fall for:
                        • The romantic spirit;
                        • The two-coloured walls: powdered pink and taupe.



                          doll house decoration




                          The Guest Room


                          retro chic decor ideas


                          molding decor ideas

                          We fall for:
                          • These colors ;
                          • The fake mouldings used as wall decoration.



                          Kitchen



                          kitchen restaurant paris canal


                          old style kitchen

                          We fall for:
                          • The retro decor;
                          • The combination of geometric patterns



                            And besides this amazing decoration, I want to underline the following points: the atmosphere is great, the waiters are perfect, the menu is wonderful and the food memorable. In short... go! >> Le Pavillon des Canaux, 39 quai de Loire, 19�. (M� Stalingrad). Map. Open everyday from 10AM to midnight. Tel: 01 42 57 58 70.




                            Pictures: @awayoflooking-leblog.fr.

                            10 Small Things to Do at Home This Summer

                            You are in your holiday home or you decided to have �staycations� ('stay at home + vacations') this summer? there is no such moment like holidays to make all this decoration handiwork you don�t have time to do during the rest of the year. Here you�ll find 10 ideas to add to your checklist of the summer! Your house will get better looking and you can start the year on the right foot. 

                            1. (Re)Paint a wall, a door or a piece of furniture


                            paint holidays

                            You have been thinking about painting your bedroom walls for months? You keep saying the dining room table needs to be modernised? Stop waiting and start painting! You have all you need: time, good weather (or almost), and you�ll be able to aerate all day long. Summer is a good time for creativity�


                            2.      Hang  your frames, ceiling lights and wall lamps which have been lying around for months


                            fabric framed

                            Bare bulbs, empty walls... Take the time to hang your frames, your wall lamps and change the position of your furniture. You�ll feel like you live in a new home.


                            3.  Let�s fix it! Replace the bulbs, level your leaning shelves


                            toolbox for kids
                            Miss DIY Kit
                            Every morning you wake up with this shelf leaning. It�s been a year now since your wardrobe is jammed? Take 5 minutes to lubricate the wheels, replace the kitchen spotlight and fix all those things which don�t work right. 


                            4.  Find a sewing machine to make cushions, curtains, household linen and more!


                            do-it-yourself cushions
                            @vintagerevivals
                            You have meters of nice fabric sleeping in the deepest shelf of your house? Find a sewing machine and make cushions or curtains to adorn your sofa or your windows. How to do it yourself? Nothing easier, you can watch this tutorial for cushions or this one for curtains. 

                            5. Give your furniture a new life

                            change the seat of a chair
                            Tutorial here
                            Sometimes, changing the fabric or repainting some furniture is enough to give it a new life. This old chair for example, became in a few moves a unique designer piece, so stop hesitating!


                            6. Transform or redesign a room


                            transform your ceiling

                            Your attic or your storeroom is abandoned? Take time to reorganize the space better by tidying it. Your attic might become a guest room and you might even want to turn yourcloset into an office.

                            7. Put your things into order and tidy your home


                            wooden boxes ideas


                            You don�t know where to begin? Start with the 5s methods of our Japanese friends:
                            1. SORT: Get rid of what you don�t use anymore and throw what�s useless. Donate what cannot be sold (Emmaus, Popular Assistance�) and sell what�s left (ebay, yard sales�)
                            2. STABILIZE: Tidy and organize your space, use pieces of furniture and tidy tips (see this article full of good ideas).
                            3. SHINE: Take advantage of this time to clean the room entirely
                            4. STANDARDIZE or organize your things by creating an intuitive system: e.g., keep at hand the things you use daily. Put in another room what you don�t use every day and place the rest in height or in your garage�
                            5. SUSTAIN: Keep up with it! Pile up your T-Shirts, keep your hats in your shelf and your socks in the drawer.

                            8. Look for Second-Hand & Garage Sales



                            garage sale


                            Passing by a yard sale? Go and have a look at it. You might find golden opportunity at a bargain. So-called "garage sales" are usually way more interesting in the summer than during the rest of the year.

                            9. Customize old/cheap pieces

                            stylished foldable chair
                            A customized camping chair by Mat & Jewski
                            Once you found some interesting objects, try to customize their look to give them a fresh start.


                            10. Do your major purchases (take advantage of summer sales)

                            Last but not least, take advantage of summer sales and discounts to make your major purchases of decoration before the beginning of the year.



                            summer picture seaside
                            Have a nice summer J

                            Seaside Decor Ideas

                            The sea, white sand, and water lapping at the ship hull� those are images and sensations we would like to have at home all year long. So, if you like this atmosphere, here are some tips and ideas which might help you to add a holiday touch to your interior decoration.

                            Seaside spirit


                            moodboard seaside

                            You wish to create a seaside atmosphere? Use natural colours and materials. Find some shades of blue from navy blue and blue-grey to blue-green. To adorn those blues, you can use tints of beige as well as sand, linen and whites.

                            For the materials, we use sea rush and natural fibres, string, wicker, driftwood or aged wood.

                            Striped patterns might also adorn your d�cor. However, be careful not to overload your room. 

                            Wallpaper Great Wave and Acquario from Cole & Son (approx. 100� and 190� each roll).



                            Seaside Inspiration


                            Fishing Hut bedroom (Source)


                            seaside decor

                            We like:
                            • The aged wood head-board

                            3 DIY options:
                            1. Find some aged wood and  make yourself a head-board
                            2. Buy a ready to use head-board (e.g. here)
                            3. Use a trompe l�oeil by putting wallpaper or floors imitating aged wood (here) 




                              straw hat decor

                              We fall for:
                              • The yard lamps used as bedside lamps
                              • The straw hat collection becoming decorative items




                                maison de plage

                                We like:
                                • The  blue-grey colours of the shelf matching the head-board;
                                • The wicker basket used as ceiling lamps.




                                  A Ship Cabin Bedroom


                                  boat cabin decor

                                  We like:
                                  • The ultra-simplified style of this bedroom where you really feel like you are in a ship cabin. Once again we can find the aged wood, the straw hat, the stripped patterns and the white colour. 



                                    The Wooden Room


                                    boat wood white decor

                                    To keep in mind:
                                    • The wooden head-board with a high shelf to save place: aesthetic and practical.


                                    Good ideas for a seaside atmosphere


                                    1. Turn a barge into a sofa


                                    boat into a sofa


                                    2. Turn a pallet into a hanging seat


                                    seaside decor ideas



                                    3. Use rope to hang your curtains


                                    ropes curtain hanging



                                    4. Create a room divider using a ship sail


                                    sail clothes room divider
                                    @727sailbags



                                    5. Use your old oars to create a head-board


                                    oars decoration



                                    6. Build shelves for shells


                                    bathroom decor ideas



                                    Check here the seaside selection of MYDECOLAB! 
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