For me, great design is about creating spaces with depth, meaning, and soul. A home feels truly personal when it carries traces of time — when old and new exist in harmony. Antiques, in particular, have a remarkable ability to ground a space. They hold stories, craftsmanship, and a quiet confidence that instantly adds warmth and character. The essence of my upbringing was living in a home filled with art, antiques and vintage objects. I spent my youth accompanying my father around art and antiques fairs, learning to recognise makers marks, real silver, feeling the tension rise when finding treasure, later working for the dealers.
I will declare my personal taste here: I’ve never been drawn to interiors that feel too perfect or too polished or too modern. I love the tension between sleek modern architecture filled with the gentle patina of antique pieces and conversely the elevation of fabulously classical buildings by inserting simple modern furnishings — that dialogue between contemporary and historic. It’s in that balance that spaces really come alive.
Incorporating antiques into modern spaces invites depth and meaning into your home. They add texture, warmth, and a sense of continuity — a reminder that design is not only about what is new, but also about what endures. When balanced thoughtfully with contemporary elements, antiques prevent a space from feeling transient or impersonal. They ground it. They tell your story. And together, the old and the new create interiors that feel layered, soulful, and timeless.
In every scheme I craft I will insert art and antiques, because this is the essence of surrounding ourselves with beauty that endures — things that have been made, used, loved, and passed on. This is what defines my work: creating homes that feel timeless, layered, and full of life.
1. Select Antiques That Complement Your Style
When incorporating antiques, it’s essential to choose pieces that resonate with your taste, the architecture of your space and the atmosphere you want to create. Not every antique will fit seamlessly into a contemporary interior — the key lies in selecting items that complement rather than compete. Look for pieces that speak to you, that carry emotional weight or visual strength, and that add richness to your home’s narrative.
One of my signature skills is at the start of a project to advise clients what we can keep and what we have to let go. It is this process of editing – which is so hard to do when you have accumulated many pieces – knowing what can work in a new home, what has value for the scheme, the story, measuring which pieces fit into the new proportions. Of course my edit is baed on aestetics and crafting a scheme, but we will always respect client’s deepest attachments to meaningful objects – that is the whole point of what I am doing – crafting , editing, weaving, designing spaces where old and new can fit together to tell your story. When required, we can move walls, windows, created display cases and build hydraulic lifts to display your objects.
Choose Statement Pieces: Large-scale antiques such as an ornate armoire, a vintage dining table, or a classic chandelier can become the focal point of your space. These statement pieces ground the room, bringing warmth and history, while their uniqueness demands attention. An antique piece can serve as the anchor that draws the eye, adding gravitas to a room.
These columns are originally from an Indian villa or palace, I raised them on stone blocs to give the effect as if they really support the orangery glass roof, I sourced these from a dealer online and then had the stone blocs carved to slide exactly udnerneath. The entire scheme was based on the fantasy of creating a Moroccan court yard atmosphere, which always has columns.
Embrace the Patina: Antiques often come with a story embedded in their surface – the wear and tear of time that gives them character. Weathered wooden chairs, aged mirrors, or tarnished silver accents add texture and warmth. These patina-rich pieces are especially effective in modern interiors that favour clean lines, as they provide a natural contrast that doesn’t overwhelm but enhances the contemporary elements.
Sourcing reclaimed materials and aged pieces instantly lends your home an earthy, grounded quality that feels both effortless and timeless. I find it deeply satisfying when giving materials a second life — timber that has already stood the test of time, stone that has weathered generations, metals with softened edges and a mellowed sheen. These elements bring authenticity and texture that new materials can rarely match. They tell stories of craftsmanship and place, connecting your interior to the wider rhythm of history and nature.
Using reclaimed materials is not only a sustainable choice, but also one that adds integrity — a quiet sense that your home has evolved, layer by layer, rather than being created all at once. In this entrance hall I sourced window arches from India via an online dealer. These reclaimed pieces are getting rarer to find but it is still possible (I did travel to India this year to explore connections). This arch forms the passage into the cloakroom area where the wardrobe doors were made bespoke to my design in Morocco in the moucharabieh style.
Balance with Subtlety: Less is often more. A few carefully chosen antiques will have greater impact than a room crowded with many. One elegant, substantial piece — perhaps a gilt mirror or a classic commode — surrounded by modern art or contemporary furniture creates visual tension and sophistication. It allows each element to breathe while ensuring that the overall composition remains balanced and calm. This is where my editing skills come in, you need a trained eye to identify the gems.
One large elegant substantial antique on a wall surrounded by modern works is striking. In both these projects we worked with clients who love and appreciate the good quality antique furniture and it was effective to show off these pieces with modern fabrics and contemporary lighting.
2. Mix and Match Styles: Pairing Antiques with Modern Furniture
The beauty of mixing antiques with modern furniture lies in contrast — the way different eras can speak to each other, creating depth and visual tension. When balanced thoughtfully, this combination turns a space from ordinary into captivating. The interplay between the clean lines of contemporary design and the craftsmanship of an antique piece gives a room soul, energy, and individuality.
Contrast Shapes and Textures: I might pair sleek, modern furniture with a beautifully carved antique coffee table or vintage armchairs. The juxtaposition of contemporary minimalism with intricate detailing creates a balanced, visually intriguing aesthetic. I might mix a streamlined sofa with a Victorian-style armchair—this combination adds depth and personality to the room. In this kitchen we built an extension with contemporary crittal windows, furnished the space with a simple modern oak table and Ghost chairs but then introduced an old German kitchen sideboard which I had stripped and treated, complete with its original stained glass doors dating to year this house was built.
Modern Upholstery for Antique Furniture: An antique piece can be modernised by reupholstering it in contemporary fabrics like velvet or bold geometric prints. This provides a fresh update while retaining the original craftsmanship and charm of the piece. It’s a playful way to bridge the gap between eras. If you read my experts tip article on mixing patterns, you will know I am a fan of decorative bold upholstery fabrics and they work wonderfully on vintage pieces.
Layer Decorative Accents. Realistically the majority of furniture we will be buying, specifying and using will be ‘new’ or ‘modern’ and if you chose timeless shapes, which i favour, then they provide a calm foundation — a canvas on which antiques can sing. Layering antique accessories such as candlesticks, mirrors, or sculptural objects adds personality and dimension. A simple contemporary console becomes far more interesting when styled with a patinated bronze lamp or an aged ceramic bowl. These small touches tell your story and give the space a curated, collected feel rather than a designed one. Personally I love collecting objects, I buy vases, pictures, plates, silver just because I like them, I discover unique and beautifully made and I have no particular place in mind but I will find one in my home and so my home evolves.
The goal is not to make old and new compete, but to let them enhance one another — to create a room that feels evolved rather than assembled. When done well, this approach captures the essence of timeless design: individuality, balance, and a sense of effortless harmony.
3. Use Antiques as Unique Conversation Pieces
Antiques carry stories — of their makers, their origins, and the lives they’ve touched along the way. When thoughtfully placed, they become more than beautiful objects; they become storytellers within a space. Each piece holds a sense of time and human connection that invites curiosity and conversation. This emotional resonance is what makes antiques so powerful — they engage both the eye and the imagination.
Highlight with Strategic Placement. The way you position an antique can completely change its impact. I place key pieces where they can be appreciated to create a discovery — at the end of a hallway, beside a fireplace, or in an alcove that draws the eye. Proper placement allows these objects to shine, giving them the stage they deserve. When surrounded by quieter, modern elements, their presence feels even more striking. it is particularly effective if you just use a single antique , it brings authenticity and gravitas to an entire room.
Curate Collections. Smaller objects— ceramics, glassware, vintage books, or objets d’art — gain strength when displayed together. I have a love of collecting and curating series of the same or similar objects, I start collecting them at fairs, on ebay and group them into vignettes which creates visual rhythm and gives a home its own identity. Grouping by tone, material, or scale adds cohesion, while subtle variations bring life and texture. This is a particularly rewarding hobby if you collect small exquisite objects and you buy something regularly but not all at once. Especially if you find pieces in different countries, at auction or negotiate with a dealer, they carry stories.
Personalise with Meaningful Antiques. The antiques that resonate most deeply are often those with personal significance. A family heirloom, a piece found on travels, or an object linked to a cherished memory all add emotional depth. These items turn a house into a home — layered with personal history and sentiment. I personally love restoring, rewiring, replating or reimagining them. I buy oil paintings and take them to be cleaned and the broken canvas to be repaired. This breathes new life into their craftsmanship while honouring their past. In my projects, I often revive old pieces through careful restoration or subtle transformation. One particularly delicate and valuable 18th century Italian Tree of Life hand blocked print had to be restored by the V&A specialists painstakingly threading it back together with silk yarn – the result is a beautiful object with a rich story. These exercises are exhilerating, the time invested can outstrip their financial value, but the energy and character they add to spaces is in my view beyond calculation.
Antiques remind us that beauty can endure, that objects can hold meaning long after their original purpose has passed. When chosen and placed with intention, they become a reflection of who we are — and of the stories we wish to continue telling.
In these above projects I sourced unique rare pieces and brough them back to life with restoration, regilding, rewiring lamps, painting furniture and adding rare old handles.
4. Blend Antiques, Art and Lighting to create your unique signature
My secret to making antiques feel current is contrast — pairing them with modern elements such as contemporary art or sleek lighting. This interplay keeps a space from tipping into nostalgia and instead creates an atmosphere that feels both timeless and alive. It’s about balance and tension: the warmth of the past meeting the clarity of the present. I work especially with fabrics, colours and lighting to pull antiques firmly into the present, to compose and layer new and old thoughtfully. This is my visual signature — one that feels deeply personal, quietly luxurious, and unmistakably personalised.
Pair with Modern Art: In my own home I place modern art above antique commodes. They elevate one another in surprising ways. For clients we have placed contemporary animated digital art into reclaimed wood panelling in an Alpine ski chalet or hung abstract collages over antique chests.
I like creating a juxtaposition of works which highlights both eras — art injects freshness and energy, while the antique grounds the composition with substance and depth. This balance gives interiors a sense of sophistication and individuality, much like a well-curated gallery that reflects the collector’s eye rather than a single period or trend.
Choose Sleek Lighting. Lighting is transformative . You can read my articles on lighting on this website. I am passionate about the power of lighting to show off antiques. Clean, modern fixtures introduce lightness and air, preventing a room full of characterful pieces from feeling heavy. A minimalist pendant above a traditional dining table, or a contemporary chandelier near a gilt mirror, strikes that perfect equilibrium between eras. For display pieces such as antique cabinets or bookcases, subtle backlighting adds drama and depth, softly revealing texture and craftsmanship while making the piece feel refreshed and relevant.
Display Cabinets. I use large antique furniture — armoires, secretaires, chests, or bookcases — as architectural anchors within a modern scheme. They are useful as backdrops for curated collections: glass, ceramics, books, or travel finds. When surrounded by modern artworks hung asymmetrically, the overall composition feels eclectic and lived-in — a reflection of a cultured, creative lifestyle rather than a formally designed room. It’s these juxtapositions that bring energy and authenticity, creating an interior that evolves over time.
A truly timeless space celebrates both history and reinvention — I use lighting, art, and vintage pieces to design conversations. It’s this dialogue that defines an interior with soul and gives it that unmistakable sense of sophistication that endures beyond trends. It makes me very happy when clients tell their friends or guests the story of a piece: where we found, how we restored it, how we shipped it back and so on.
Large old chests, armoires, secretaires and bookcases are useful backdrops for starting your own collections of objects: books, vases, glass, miniature figurines. Coins or other objects from travels and history .All surrounded by myriad artworks hung in asymmetrical style reinforces a boheme , artisanal and cultured lifestyle.
5. Layer Old and New Textiles
I recommend you experiment with textiles – they are one of the most effortless ways to merge past and present. They bring warmth, comfort, and a tactile richness that instantly softens a room. Layering antique and modern fabrics creates a dialogue between eras — an interplay of texture, pattern, and colour that adds depth and individuality. Whether it’s a centuries-old tapestry or a newly woven rug, textiles help tell the story of a space through touch as much as through sight.
Combine Modern Rugs with Antique Furniture. I like to place a contemporary rug beneath an antique table or chair, this will completely transform the atmosphere. The crisp geometry of a modern weave anchors the piece, allowing the craftsmanship of the antique to shine. Conversely, I buy many vintage Persian or moroccan or tribal rugs and use them in my own home and in projects, they sit beautifully beneath sleek modern furniture, they introduce a sense of history and warmth, making even minimalist rooms feel inviting and complete. I have used flatweaves for upholstery, as wallhangings, table coverings and stair runners. This mix of styles brings balance — grounding modernity with soul and giving antiques a fresh, current edge.
Mix Throws and Cushions. I have written about soft furnishings and they are the perfect medium for gentle layering. I combine antique or vintage textiles — such as embroidered cushions, woven blankets, or silk damasks — with clean-lined modern seating. The juxtaposition adds texture, depth, and a sense of evolution. On the image below I used a rare block-printed fabric used as a decorative wall hanging behind an antique bedframe, this became a statement of craftsmanship and beauty, transforming a simple arrangement into something extraordinary.
Use Antique Tapestries. Antique fabrics don’t have to stay on furniture — they can become artworks in their own right. I have hung vintage tapestries, used suzani embroideries as bedspreads, or created panel doors with handwoven panels on the wall to soften modern architecture and add cultural richness. On my visit to Japan in 2024 I bought several vintage heavy beautiful kimonos and they are living a new life as cushions, door panelling and framed artworks.
These pieces tell stories of tradition and artistry, connecting your interior to human hands and history. Even the smallest detail — a collection of brass jugs or pewter vessels arranged beneath an antique textile — can create an atmosphere of quiet, layered sophistication. By mixing the refined with the raw, the smooth with the timeworn, textiles allow your interiors to breathe and evolve. They bridge centuries effortlessly and remind us that true comfort lies not in perfection, but in the beauty of touch, memory, and materiality.
6. Experiment with Finishes and Patinas
Antiques bring with them the marks of time — a softness and depth that no new piece can replicate. Their aged surfaces tell stories of touch, use, and endurance. When paired with modern finishes, these timeworn details create a captivating dialogue between the imperfect and the pristine, the natural and the refined. Embracing these contrasts gives your home authenticity and character, ensuring it feels layered, lived-in, and timeless rather than newly decorated. I recently dropped a mid century large vase (my heart broke) but I am trying to fix it with Kintsugi ( we will see).
Celebrate Imperfections. While I aim for perfection on painted wall surfaces, when it comes to vintage furniture, true beauty often lies in imperfection. Their cracks, scratches, and worn edges aren’t flaws — they’re evidence of life. They bring warmth, humanity, and soul to interiors that might otherwise feel too sleek or polished. A weathered wooden chest, a faded mirror, or a slightly uneven glaze on a ceramic piece adds a layer of storytelling that no factory finish can match. These details give a home its rhythm and resonance — a gentle reminder that design, like life, is enriched by time.
Mix of Surfaces. Pairing aged finishes with smooth, reflective materials creates visual tension and elegance. A rustic antique table against a polished marble floor, a distressed gilt mirror beside a glossy lacquered wall, or vintage glassware atop a modern stone counter — each combination enhances the other. This balance of textures evokes quiet sophistication, where the eye moves between the matte and the lustrous, the old and the new. It’s an aesthetic of duality that feels both deliberate and effortless. Above we created a little display out of collected postcards. Something as whimsical as these souvenirs can be a little story to entertain you.
Incorporate Glass and Metallic Accents. Glass, chrome, or polished brass details can bring lightness to a room rich with antiques. I like mixing these modern materials which reflect and amplify light, ensuring that the overall composition feels fresh rather than heavy. A Venetian mirror above a contemporary fireplace, silver candlesticks beside a rough-hewn wood surface, or a collection of crystal and pewter objects grouped together — these subtle gleams create harmony between eras. They allow antiques to shine within a contemporary setting while keeping the mood elegant and alive.
In the end, what makes the homes I would create truly timeless is the embrace of both history and evolution — the way polished marble meets weathered oak, or a sleek lamp rests on an antique desk. Patina reminds us that age is not decay but depth, not imperfection but authenticity. In my homes we allow those layers to coexist, I create interiors that feel human, grounded, and enduringly beautiful.
Mixing polished brass, with dark wood, bright fabrics, marble stone and antique Venetian mirrors evokes glamour and sophistication.
Incorporating antiques into modern design is all about creativity and balance. Antiques don’t need to be expensive, rare, or priceless. Even everyday objects – a ceramic bowl found while travelling, a reclaimed door, a piece of furniture with worn handles – can add character and charm. Don’t be afraid to take a piece out of context or embrace imperfections. Antique pieces that have been worn or broken often hold more character and can be just as beautiful in their raw state.
What matters is intention. Be precise when sourcing, thoughtful in placement, and open to reinvention. A room can be completely transformed by one extraordinary piece, or by the subtle layering of many modest ones. You can even let an entire space become a living gallery — an evolving reflection of your taste, your memories, and your story.
Design that truly endures is not static; it evolves. Rotate your antiques, move them around, and see them in new light. Each change allows you to rediscover their beauty, and keeps your home feeling fresh and alive.
At its heart, blending antiques with modern design is about connection — between past and present, craftsmanship and innovation, memory and imagination. It’s about creating a home that feels grounded yet inspiring, personal yet timeless.
So go ahead, embrace the pieces that speak to you. Let them tell their stories alongside your own. After all, if antiques could talk, they’d simply thank you for giving them another beautiful chapter of life in your home.
Stay inspired, stay sophisticated
Love, Claudia
