Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Thursday 5 March 2020
Mix-and-match decor: In with the old ... and in with the new

This photo provided by Rhyme Studio shows one of their new
wool rugs. "Or," shown here, means 'gold' in the Irish language;
Rhyme's Insula series features new rug designs that reference
ancient art forms and symbols.
Associated Press

This photo shows a design project in New York by Ike Kligerman Barkley blending vintage and
modern furniture.

By KIM COOK eras, textures and more moniously with the Arts and
An early, painted Swedish to create a cohesive but Crafts movement, whose
sideboard next to a leather unique look and feel.” hallmarks are simpler crafts-
sectional. An ornate Ital- BALANCE IS KEY manship and muted, na-
ian walnut headboard on Interior design maven Kim- ture-inspired hues.
a bed dressed in feather- berley Seldon, whose busi- If you do want to blend
weight linen. A collection ness is based in Toronto and eras, consider Victorian
of colorful 1930s Fiestaware Los Angeles, follows this for- with other formal European
pottery on a Lucite book- mula when mixing styles: eras like Georgian, Edward-
shelf. “As long as 80% of an in- ian and French. If you’ve
Mixing vintage and mod- terior is cohesive — same got a few exceptional Arts
ern elements is one of the style, same period, same and Crafts pieces, play
easier decorating tech- philosophy — the other 20% them up with clean-lined
niques to employ. A little re- can deviate. In 20 years, country styles and modern This photo provided by Rhyme Studio shows one of their new
search can help with sourc- I’ve never seen this rule of upholstery. wool rugs, a collection inspired by a 1600-year-old Irish alpha-
bet. Known as Ogham, or the tree alphabet, its folk history may
ing quality antiques, but thumb fail.” “One of my favorite ways tie it to druids and secretive scholars, but the designs look as
combining old and new is Rosenthal recommends to mix design styles is with current and chic as anything dreamed up today.
mostly a matter of making layering old and new items, midcentury pieces,” says Associated Press
sure the fun ``found” piec- like hanging an antique Rosenthal. “They’re truly
es or family heirlooms get rug in an otherwise modern transitional, because they new pieces that harken to in advance before hunting
along with the contempo- room. can sway traditional or the past. for specific pieces, since
rary components. Elizabeth Sesser, a design- modern without looking out For example, at this spring’s the internet and antiques
That introduction may take er at the New York firm Ike of place.” Architectural Digest Design shops and fairs can be
some tweaking so your Kligerman Barkley, men- Katie Watson-Smyth, who Fair in New York, Brooklyn- overwhelming. Be specific
room doesn’t end up look- tions a recent project that lives in London and writes based Rhyme Studio is when you key in search
ing like a catchall of ran- blended vintage and mod- the design blog Mad About debuting a collection of terms. Knowing what you’re
dom furniture, but that’s ern furniture into an elegant the House, agrees about wool rugs inspired by a after helps, but be open to
part of the fun. Introduce whole. The new: a blue and midcentury modern: “You 1,600-year-old Irish alpha- surprise finds.
the furnishings to each gray wool and silk carpet, will never go wrong with a bet, known as Ogham, or “We always recommend
other. See who gets along. and creamy boucle sofas. chair from this period. It’s the tree alphabet. Its folk starting with smaller items
And rearrange where ev- The old: “Pairs of smaller, friends with everyone.” history may tie it to druids like mirrors, artwork, acces-
erybody sits if you need to. bolder pieces — 1920s She notes that midmod and secretive scholars, but sories and other accents,”
Tamara Rosenthal, So- Swedish black lacquer side chairs can be re-uphol- the designs look as cur- she says.
theby’s Home marketing chairs, and 1930s mahoga- stered in a range of fabrics rent and chic as anything “You can find a wide range
vice-president, says the ny slipper chairs,” she says. to suit any design vibe. dreamed up today. of styles in mirrors in good
mix-and-match trend is on WATCH YOUR COMBINA- She also recommends look- And at Kathy Kuo, find shape that add a touch of
the rise. TIONS ing for common threads an array of new seating, history. And you can often
“People aren’t as interest- Some vintage styles don’t among your found pieces lighting and casegoods find standout light fixtures
ed in spaces that look like complement each other — rounded edges; wood referencing popular eras that no one else will have,”
they came entirely from a as well as others, Seldon and color tones; surface like Hollywood Regency, she says.
showroom,” she says. “They points out. For instance, the materials like marble. French Country and Art “Shopping at a reputable
want to create a space ornate embellishments and NEW, INSPIRED BY OLD Deco. site, antique dealer or well-
with a unique point of view, jewel tones of Victorian If you don’t have true an- SHOP SMART regarded secondhand
infusing a variety of pieces, furnishings don’t work har- tiques, there are interesting Rosenthal advises planning store is key,” she warns.q