Refreshing Idea

photo taken from Pinterest

If you want to update an antique piece of furniture and create a style that feels more fresh, just pair it with a modern piece. By painting this antique console table a robin's egg blue and mixing it with a pair of silver lamps with black shades both pieces are enhanced. The contrast calls for your attention.

 This buffet server is a beautiful accent to the farmhouse table, and painted dining chairs. The server's color reflects a more updated current style, and the table has a more rustic casual look. The successful mixing of the gilt mirror has an older feel, but is accented with contemporary glass lamps. Each piece makes the other more interesting.



photo from House Beautiful

This dramatic dining room features an antique iron chandelier which sets over a bone concrete and iron base table and very contemporary Hamilton dining chairs. The 7' wide foxed-glass mirror is oversized and adds much drama and personality to the space. The contemporary glass column floor lamp adds sparkle to an otherwise empty corner. A sculpture made from a mounted piece of driftwood further adds to the contrast and appeal.



photo courtesy of houzz.com

This bath is another great example of mixing something old with new. By using a painted open shelf vanity with chrome fixtures and contemporary lighting, and combining it with a distressed painted wood mirror and a weathered shutter cabinet a simple yet interesting design is achieved. This bath evokes a great sence of personality and each piece draws you into the space and makes it warm and inviting.

While this bedroom is soft and subtle in color, the  textural richness of the modern bed set next to those beautiful end tables, and ceramic lamps, is in sharp contrast to the old farmhouse style feel of the wood paneled walls. The addition of the modern geometric rug adds another layer of interest.



photo from House Beautiful

So whether you create a subtle color pallet or use more color and contrast from white to black, the idea of combining some old with something new, or something ordinary mixed with something fancy or ornate the results can be quite fantastic. This bedroom is accessorized with old/new decor and the main pieces of furniture are classic in design.

So the next time you want to update a room's design and feel, try mixing something old with something new, or something grand with something very simple. I think you will be pleased with the results.
Post a comment and let me know what you think...it will make my day!

Until next time.......



Yellow Bench: "Before & After"

Hope all you mother's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day, I know I did! I am very blessed to have two wonderful children. I got to spend the day with my family and some time outside doing some gardening. It was a spectacularly beautiful day!
The new consignment store I am apart of had a fantastic opening weekend- a huge success. Time to get cranking on some more projects as this weekend it is Arts in Ada!
Onto the subject at hand...I get sidetracked easily these days!
I thought I would show you a "before & after" project I recently finished. First the "after" on this one. I know some people skip right to the "after" and then go back to the "before" anyway (I'm guilty of this one myself).    "The After"...

Glazed Yellow Bench

The other reason for doing it this way is you will appreciate the facelift this piece was given by seeing how adorable it is now and how it was an ugly duckling before. 

"The Before"



 a seriously ugly and smelly tapestry fabric!



I could see the potential. The bench was very sturdy and had nice lines and a sweet detail on the legs. But really the fabric was beyond hideous, especially mixed with a copper-colored metallic paint!!! Oh dear what were they thinking?? Anyways after sanding and painting a great dirty yellow color I decided to take it to the next step...add some dark glazing to enhance the detail and give it a european flair. A finish coat finished it off and I just love how it turned out!
                                                                    Here it is again!

Stop back soon to see another finished piece of furniture and lamp too! I just love warm weather it is the best for painting. 
Thanks for stopping by and leave me a comment...it makes my day!