The Elegance of Experience: Old Pieces in New Places

Just because a house is brand new doesn’t mean it should flaunt its youth. While new homes have their charms – warranties, modern technology, central air – they often lack a certain je ne sais quoi that old homes, for all their leaky pipes and exposed radiators, have in spades.

Fortunately, newer homes warm right up when they’re decorated with interesting older pieces. Furniture with a story. Accessories with soul. I think that there’s a lot to be said for mixing cool old pieces with brand spanking new construction. You start with a clean slate and end up with the best of both worlds.

Here are some great examples of spaces that mix the best of old and new:

Dufner Heighes Inc

This room’s clean lines, stainless steel appliances and simple green and white dishes displayed as art look fresh, current and new. But the rich wood table and the rugged log basket seem decades old. In a more traditional setting, the table (and flowers) might seem fussy. Without them, the room could seem cold. But together, they create a welcoming, calm kitchen.

I might even take the “old” here a step further, giving the rug more of a starring role. I love its traditional pattern and the way it’s faded with use, but I might have chosen a larger rug with even deeper colors to perk up the room’s palette a bit.

These shiny floors tell one story, but the creaky old lockers beg to differ. New space sheen is taken off of this room with warm colors – I love the rusty shade of the chair – and cool vintage school lockers. Not only do they add personality, they also provide a great place to store extra books, magazines or DVDs.

The doors in this room are fantastic, too. They could be old and rehabbed or brand new – either way, they’re perfect, offering privacy while maintaining a feeling of openness. Architectural salvage warehouses are a great place for finds like these doors and the lockers. They’re full of hidden gems with tons of personality and history.

Abelow Sherman Architects LLC

Often, offices in new homes get the short end of the stick when it comes to decor. Because they’re hidden away, they’re an afterthought and end up with a random selection of furniture, piles of paperwork and way too many electrical cords. But wouldn’t it be better to work in a space that’s as thoughtful and attractive as the rest of the house?

This is the kind of room that’s conducive to really great work. New floors and neat white walls are a perfect match for an organic, rough wood counter acting as a desk. Sleek architectural lines and modern chairs keep the room feeling uncluttered while the shelves, full of pottery, photos and souvenirs, tell a thousand stories.

Kerrie L. Kelly

Adding personality to a new space doesn’t require blanketing the house with antiques. One tiny detail – like the carving on a dining room chair – can lend gravitas to a whole room.

Here, paired with art that’s modern and expressive, but subtle in terms of color, and simple table accessories, the chair seems like it has a story to tell – one much older than anything else in the room.

Susan M. Davis

I absolutely love this image for the story it tells about the homeowners’ priorities and care. The new tile backsplash juxtaposed with rough wood shelves and an antique glass-front cabinet is the best of both worlds – modern tile products and technology meet old school quality construction.

Plus, the colors are fantastic. The beige tile and buttery yellow wall are neutral but interesting, and the rich green-blue of the cabinet is totally unexpected and great with the gorgeous gold glassware inside.

Careful details like the 19th century Karabagh carpet soften the edges on a brand new room. At the same time, the decor doesn’t go overboard, screaming “antique.” The fussy patterns of the carpet are offset by modern furniture with simple lines and funky, but understated, art.

The one thing I’d change about this space is the lighting. I like the simple, modern sconces, but the track lighting doesn’t do the rest of the room justice. It’s too informal for a space like this, and seems like an afterthought. A great vintage chandelier – something sort of masculine, nothing too fussy – would really tie this room together.

Doyle McCullar Fine Interiors

Chandeliers are like the fairy godmothers of decorating – they can transform a room from too shiny and new to established and beautiful with just the flick of a dimmer switch. This rock crystal example is ornate and nearly over the top, but it lends exactly the right amount of gravitas to an otherwise brand new room.

Thoughtful tableware is also a great – and not necessarily expensive – way to add elegance and class to a new space. Even a new, modern table feels established when it’s topped with an impressive candelabra. These white accessories are perfect for this space – they dress up the table but don’t compete with the chandelier.

Tons of built-ins are a key attraction in this newly renovated brownstone and a great example of the benefits of new construction. The cabinets and bench are pretty and functional.

But the real star here is the table. Its rough finish adds the perfect touch of rustic history to the understated, minimal room. It’s easy to imagine years of family gatherings around this piece of furniture.

I also love the black and white photograph. Family photos make every room more special, and sticking with black and white really works with the room’s clean, neutral palette. This is a calming space.

That said, I might add a bright throw pillow or two on the bench. Something in yellow or a pink-red would add some energy to the space without sacrificing its peaceful vibe.

Rossington Architecture

Besides looking incredibly comfortable, these chairs add graceful age to a minimal new space. The chairs’ lines are modern – I love the straight arms – but the leather is warm and welcoming and looks lived in. Overall, the space looks comfortable – but not sloppy.

I would, however, add a rug to warm up these wood floors just a bit. Maybe something full of texture, like a flokati rug. I’d keep the windows curtainless, though – I like the way the sharp angles of the window echo the lines of the chairs.

Lucky dog. This space is amazing – and fairly easy to replicate. The basic lines of mid-century furniture, like this night table and the fantasic lamp, are a great match for new construction.

Here, they’re kept from looking too stark thanks to the rest of the decor. The wallpaper adds depth and the bed is full of crazy textures. I love the idea of the fuzzy, cozy bedspread and sexy leather pillows. A couple of neat, cotton-coverered throw pillows are a surprisingly simple addition that ties the whole look together. The wild mix of textures and careful balance of warm and cool colors adds up to a space that really works.

Thank you to Houzz for the great information!!!!!