The Art of Making Modern Interiors Sing
QUESTION: Aren’t antiques a bit boring and old fashioned? How can they fit in with a contemporary interior?
ANSWER: The 21st-century use of antiques doesn’t have to be ‘trad’ and boring. Good design, no matter when it is made, will stand alongside modern pieces very well if the design is good. Bad design is the enemy!
Here, Kieran Hughes-Jones of Taliesin Antiques explains how to make the old bring new life.
There’s this idea that antiques belong in fusty rooms with dark wood panelling. But the truth is, a great antique doesn’t care what century it’s in- as long as it’s surrounded by good design, it can speak for itself. You can absolutely put a slick 1960s anglepoise lamp on a Georgian desk. You can even cross cultures- a West African wood sculpture can sit surprisingly well on a mid-century sideboard. Pieces made with quality, skill and patience tend to get along.
What’s interesting about style through the ages is how it evolves while staying connected. The Arts and Crafts movement and the Art Nouveau style were both deeply influenced by Japanese art. That’s why a Japanese silk painting can feel so at home next to an Arts and Crafts chair. The link is there in the line, the form and spirit.
Whether the piece you love is antique or vintage, you should fell confident displaying it however it pleases you. These objects capture moments in time, they carry stories of the past, and they have a quiet power to bring a room to life.
You can also catch Kieran on his YouTube channel @talieinantiques discussing acquiring antiques, what to look out for, and what life is like out on the road! Drew Pritchard and Salvage Hunters, eat your heart out! We’re hooked.
