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Mixing Traditional & Modern Style Furniture

So your looking for something new, something sleek with clean lines? You’d love to incorporate some modern furniture into your space, but your flower-patterned love seat is screaming everything but contemporary.

You have two options. The first is to abide by the motto “out with the old, in with the new”. You can throw all your traditional furniture out the window and start with a blank canvas. {Unfortunately this will also mean throwing all your money out the window|However as you well know this will also mean throwing all your money down the dumps as well because traditional furniture is very functional and has a timeless quality.
Traditional furniture adds shape and structure to a room. If you get rid of it, you’ll sacrifice that homey, understated feel within your home- and everybody likes a comfortable space. Besides, the majority of homeowners (and their wallets) would appreciate not having to start from scratch.

The secret, option two, is to mix and match traditional and contemporary furniture, bringing modern pieces into your space that harmonizes with your already existing traditional furniture.

Traditional furniture speaks sophistication and formality. It creates a secure setting. On the other hand, contemporary furniture is fresh. It is innventive and appealing. It adds individuality to any room. So how then do you find the perfect balance between the two?

Many believe the key aspect is to gradually amalgamate modern furniture pieces into the space. Once you warm up to this style, you’ll be able to add more pieces and be more creative and playful with your furniture. Your Hepplewhite shield-back dining table chairs might not work well with a contemporary shag rug beneath them. However, your classic Victorian bookcase might look great next to a modern leather recliner. Top and tail and find what works for you.

Remember the ‘A, B, Cs’: Align, Blend, and Create. Align your furniture. Bring modern furniture into your space that has some commonality with the traditional pieces you have (same shape, same texture…). The crisp lines of a glass-top coffee table would play nicely against the silhouette of a rolled-armed, pillow-backed sofa. It’s important to note that they don’t necessary have to be the same item, but they should both converse the same plan. Blend your space. Let your traditional style dominate and let your contemporary pieces act as accents. Create something new. As you add more unique pieces, you’ll be able to make a space completely original to you.

Most people think that a traditional living room needs a couch, a coffee table, and two side tables. But take a modern approach and incorporate pieces into the space that make it more functional for you. Take some framed art prints and hang it next to your grandfather clock. Instead of a coffee table use an ottoman upholstered in a bright print. There is no wrong way to top and tail your furniture.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Until you find that enjoyable balance, keep introducing new modern furniture and ideas into your space. Try to create something unique and interesting. You can even introduce this to your bedroom furniture. Your traditional pieces will keep your space feeling classic and timeless. The key is to create a space that is purposeful,representative, and of course satisfying to you.

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 31st, 2010 at 10:20 am and is filed under Home and Garden. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.