Blending vintage and contemporary interior design in your home is a great way to create a unique, personalized space that reflects your unique taste. As you curate a design style that mixes old and new, consider mission furniture. With its clean lines and timeless appeal, it’s the perfect foundation to bridge these two worlds, allowing for modern touches that bring a fresh look.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can effectively mix vintage and contemporary elements to create a space that’s uniquely yours.
Understanding Mission Furniture: A Classic Foundation
Mission furniture originated in the late 19th century. It features flat panels, straight lines, and solid wood construction. This practical and durable style is the perfect anchor for a room that blends old and new design styles.
One of the biggest strengths of mission furniture is its versatility and understated elegance, allowing it to pair well with both vintage and modern elements. Its rich wood tones and minimalistic design serve as a neutral canvas, allowing the surrounding décor to shine.
1. Start with a Statement Piece
As you begin curating your space, select a statement piece of mission furniture. Once you’ve chosen your focal point — whether it’s a dining table, sideboard, or sofa — you can start building the room around it.
For instance, a beautiful mission-style dining table can serve as the centerpiece of your dining room. Add contemporary chairs that feature sleek lines or modern materials, and hang vintage-inspired artwork on the walls. This juxtaposition will highlight the traditional craftsmanship of the mission table while maintaining a fresh and current look.
2. Incorporate Modern Lighting
Lighting is a powerful interior design tool, no matter what overall aesthetic you prefer. Although mission furniture is grounded in tradition, you can use contemporary lighting fixtures, such as floor lamps, pendant lights, and wall sconces, to introduce a sense of modern flair.
The key to blending modern and vintage is choosing lighting that complements the simplicity of your mission furniture without overpowering it. Consider lights with clean lines, geometric shapes, and metallic finishes to contrast with and enhance the natural wood tones of your mission furniture while introducing a new layer of texture and interest to the room.
3. Mix Textures and Fabrics
Speaking of texture, another effective way to blend vintage and contemporary styles is by mixing a variety of textures and fabrics. Mission-style sofas and chairs often feature upholstery made from leather or a hearty woven fabric, which can be paired with textiles like velvet, silk, and knits to create a visually appealing contrast.
For example, try pairing mission-style, leather-upholstered loveseat with contemporary throw pillows in eye-catching colors or patterns. A modern, geometric rug can anchor the room, visually defining the space and tying together the old and new elements.
4. Accessorize Thoughtfully
Accessories have the power to pull a room together, creating a cohesive and interesting look. When blending vintage and modern design elements, you must seek the perfect balance with your decor. Too many vintage pieces can make the space feel dated, while too many contemporary items can overwhelm the more traditional components.
To create an intentional and cohesive aesthetic, choose accessories that reflect both eras. For instance, vintage artwork or knick-knacks can be paired with contemporary sculptures or abstract art. Fill a mission-style bookshelf with a mix of old and new books, photographs in thrifted frames, and modern decorative objects.
5. Embrace Color Contrast
Mission furniture typically features the warm tones of natural wood, which gives you a wide range of suitable color scheme options, from neutral shades to bold hues. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different palettes to find something that complements both vintage and contemporary elements.
Consider using a soft, neutral shade for the walls to allow your mission furniture to shine. Introduce pops of color such as emerald green, navy blue, or mustard yellow through artwork, accessories, or an accent wall. These bold shades add a modern twist while still harmonizing with the wood furniture.
6. Keep the Balance
When all is said and done, the most important aspect of mixing vintage and contemporary interior design elements is maintaining a sense of balance. Too much of one style or the other can make the space feel disjointed and jarring.
When arranging a room, step back and assess its overall composition and whether it feels balanced. Are old and new equally represented? Keep in mind that the beauty of mixing styles lies in the contrast and interaction between them.
Mission Furniture for Vintage and Contemporary Homes
Whether you prefer vintage, contemporary, or a mixture of both, Sugar House Furniture has the quality mission furniture you need to complement your unique sense of style. Come visit us today to browse our wide range of beautiful furnishings.
