How to balance the old with the new

Welcome to the latest instalment from Rockett St George! In this post we asked them to share their tips on how to balance the old with the new. If you have beautiful old trinkets but still love shopping the new styles, then this is the guide for you!

Check out the first post: 'How to achieve the fully curated look' for their styling tips.

Mixing antiques with new finds

Image credit: My Bespoke Room

"With interior trends constantly changing, at Rockett St George we know how hard it can be to balance your old pieces with new styles".

Our guide on how to balance the old with the new will show you how to effortlessly achieve a glorious scheme by mixing antiques, mementoes and new finds.

Pairing old & new

Image credit: My Bespoke Room

Firstly, when you are thinking about how to balance the old with the new, you need to pick out your favourite pieces, whatever the design may be. You must ask yourself, which of your antique treasures exudes that one of a kind charm?

On top of this, which marvellously modern accessory would stand out next to a traditional ornament or piece?

It's all about the difference in designs which will make your display come together to create an ultra harmonious look.

Additionally, you should assess the feeling of the space that you want to decorate and think about the items that would complement it the most. Does your home display period features or are there contemporary shapes throughout?

Old home - new accessories

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

If your home is ultra classic in style, consider incorporating pieces that encapsulate a vintage feel such as furniture or statement lighting. Moreover, this is where you can look for one of a kind treasures that would complement the room wonderfully.

Once your base design is established, this is where you can start introducing your new accessories.

In addition, you can showcase a modern look through your soft furnishings, striking wall art, vases, and quirky ornaments.

This will make for an eclectic room that fuses the old and the new together oh-so perfectly!

New home - old adornments 

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

If your home displays a modern edge, you may want your main furnishings to reflect the same look. Sleek walls, shapes and lines are easily complimented with the same style of furniture.

Having said this, you can achieve a balance between old and new by simply choosing one showpiece and styling around that.

For example, if you have a vintage sofa, it will absolutely be able to take centre stage within your interior.

What’s more, to tie this style in with your home, you can accessorise with antique pieces that are bursting with character, to add a unique edge.

Additionally, consider introducing richer tones of paint to the walls and with your soft furnishings for a serene pairing with your old pieces. The most important thing is to not be afraid to stand out with your mix and match style choices!

The home of Lucy St George

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

Sometimes, the most daring designs turn out to be the most adored within your décor. So with that said, let us introduce Rockett St George Co-Founder, Lucy St George's home that mixes old and new oh-so fabulously!

Lucy’s dining area

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

Lucy has used the Black Leather Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa in her dining area paired with a marvellous mixture of decorative cushions to uplift the vintage feel.

Her dining table was found at a car boot sale over 20 years ago, providing an antique charm to the space which is balanced with an oversized mirror and plenty of patterns. It creates a beautifully maximalist look.

Lucy’s office 

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

This spot in Lucy's office encapsulates an ultra quirky allure.

Using a totally unique retro school bus bench, Lucy has incorporated some fabulously eccentric adornments paired with a monochrome feature wall to tie the whole look together. Absolutely gorgeous!

Displaying your treasures 

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

When thinking about how to balance the old with the new, display is an imperative part of the process.

How you style your pieces from small trinkets to larger statement items is everything. So, we are going to talk about ways to mix traditional designs with modern adornments with effortless style in mind.

Cabinet of curiosities

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

From floor standing to wall hanging, we love all kinds of cabinets for display. If you have a modern cabinet or a vintage piece, the shelves provide plenty of opportunities to showcase your treasures.

Simply choose your favourite trinkets, mementoes and decorative adornments and this will become a stylish showpiece that creates the wow factor.

Furthermore, this is the perfect place to mix old and new, as each shelf can have its own unique theme. On top of this, a cabinet of curiosities is all about the beauty of mismatched styles, meaning that no combination of treasures is too ‘out there’ for the display. You can really let your imagination run wild with this look.

Shelf style spot 

Image credit: Extraordinary Interiors By Jane Rockett & Lucy St George

Curating the perfect ‘shelfie’ is such a fun way to show off an eclectic collection of pieces.

For your shelf style spot, remember to experiment with height, colour and texture. Moreover, colour is a great way to fuse your treasures together.

For example, if you were going for a monochrome theme, your old and new accessories would be united by the delightful dark and neutral tones that the display exhibits.

Above all, remember to use pieces that spark a memory and bring you joy. We think that this is the best way to let your antiques and modern accessories speak for themselves!

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