Being an antiques collector and somewhat of a purist when it comes to old world interior décor, I happen to love oil paintings and beautiful Italian frescos. As they say "art speaks to you" and this kind of art certainly does.....loudly in fact. However another aesthetic I adore is the tasteful mix of classical old world interiors with bold modern wall art. A space that is fashionable, but also classic is extremely popular these days. While I love my period home I would certainly enjoy decorating a second home in this very style.
Most of us want our homes to reflect a style that is fresh and timeless. There’s no rule that says all the furniture in your house needs to come from the same era. In fact, embracing contrasting styles can give your home a liveliness. Mixing modern wall art with antiques is a great way to achieve these decorating goals because the approach keeps an old world style room fresh and exciting while creating a space that is still found to be quite beautiful.
There is a right and wrong way to bring these two different styles into a lovely unity. You certainly won't achieve the effect you want by rushing out to buy the first piece of modern wall art that catches your eye. Incorporating a piece of modern art into a classical old world space takes some planning and patience. Take your time, develop your eye a bit, and go shopping with confidence. Below you will find some tips and advice on how to manifest a plan for incorporating modern wall art into your old world interiors. I have gathered some images to inspire you. Enjoy!!
Designer Muriel Brandolini
Mixing bold modern wall art with classic old world antiques provides an element of the unexpected which can breath life into a room.
Creating a blend of any time period or design style in your space requires a critical eye. When if comes to mixing old world antiques and modern wall art don't just rush out and buy just any piece. You want to create a look that appears as though it's evolved over time.
Wait until you find just the right wall art that will add the proper aesthetic to your old world interior and make YOU feel good. Looking at art had been proven to help one de-stress and is a positive tool for helping increase your well being. Make sure it works in that area for you.
If you prefer the order of classical old world surroundings but have just a tiny bit of the nonconformist alive in you, adding a large abstract piece of wall art to your décor will satisfy that craving.
Designer Guillaume Alan
A soft neutral interior filled with old world antiques can still benefit from a piece of modern wall art. The art can remain subtle and create an individualistic flair to your space.
Perfect example of how large modern wall art can add pizzazz yet still blend into the background enough to let your fine antiques shine.
via Pinterest
This modern art piece fades softly into the background while still taking charge of the old world style room with bold hues of the same color family.
Angus McCaffrey via Houzz
This homeowner prefers to create a dramatic pop of color in an otherwise neutral classic stairway with their choices of contemporary wall art.
Mark Finlay Interiors, Connecticut
While this one treats their classical stairway with a trio of bold modern art pieces in subtle colors which makes the whole space seem softer.
The latest design book by Cullman & Kravis, entitled From Classic to Contemporary
Here the juxtaposition of classical old world and modern allows the "pop" of the contemporary wall art to grab your attention without overshadowing the beautiful furniture style.
I love this great mix of antique old world furnishings and modern wall art. The painting seems to say "go ahead and entangle it all together running modern art throughout your old world interior".
J. Randall Powers via Veranda Magazine
When you position modern, abstract wall art alongside old world antiques, the whole room gets a new freshness.
via Pinterest
In this classic home a bold and colorful Robert Frame painting hangs above a period Regency console. The chairs are Italian needlepoint.
Size is key! In the world of contemporary wall art, bigger is usually considered better.
I will always advocate buying a larger piece of modern wall art because of the impact it can make on a room full of old world antiques.
Tucker and Marks Design Firm
The décor scheme of any old world room can be given life in an instant by a large single piece of striking modern wall art.
That being said, a gallery wall of modern art also looks marvelous when used with antique old world elements.
This beautiful classically designed room in monochromatic style is made fresh and interesting by several small modern art pieces strategically placed above the sofa.
via Pintrest
Bold modern wall art can introduce color to your old world interior style that was never there to begin with.
Or bold modern art can benefit a traditional space by blending with the colors to create a lovely cohesiveness.
Don't forget to be a bit brave and creative when it comes to adding a piece of modern wall art to your old world style interiors. Opposing styles sometimes create the most beautiful results.
Classic Chinoiserie with a bold abstract piece of wall art.....but it works well together!
Try using modern wall art selections to create a foundational backdrop and then start mixing in your old world antiques much like model/actress Claudia Schiffer has done in her lovely home.
Designer Nicky Haslam
Adding modern wall art with clean straight lines will create an interesting juxtaposition with classical old world elements like paneling, wainscoting, crown molding, and columns.
Scott Snyder, Inc.
Although you don’t want the colors of the wall art to be matchy-matchy, you do want them to tie in with the rest of your home.
In this well composed room, the abstract painting blends in with the soft tones of the wall, antique ole world furnishings, and rug.
Always remember, antique filled old world or traditional interiors and modern wall art do not need to be kept separate.
Pierre and São Schlumberger's Parisian flat
If you find a "must have" piece of modern wall art ....buy it! Hopefully after reading this blog post you will be able to find the perfect space for it somewhere in your old world interior.
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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
In the event that I have not credited the correct source of an image, please contact me at lisafarmerdesigns46@yahoo.com and I would be glad to correct it.
