Mixing the Old and New:
How to Honor Your Family’s Story in your Home
When we design your home, it’s never just about what’s “in” right now. It’s about creating a space that reflects who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going.
For many of our clients, that means blending the pieces that tell your family’s story with a clean, timeless design vision that feels fresh and elevated. We love honoring the past while helping our clients reimagine their home for the next chapter — whether that’s entertaining friends, welcoming grown children home, or creating a retreat for just the two of you. Here are ways we do this:
1. Curate Heirlooms with Heart
Not every inherited piece needs to make the cut. Instead of feeling obligated to keep everything, we guide you to focus on pieces that hold true emotional value — a dining table where countless family dinners took place, your grandmother’s favorite chair, or a vintage cabinet from your first home.
2. Update finishes to bring a new vibe
Sometimes a treasured piece just needs a new finish, modern hardware, or a lighter stain to integrate seamlessly with the rest of your home. We work with trusted artisans to breathe new life into these items while preserving their integrity.
3. Balance Vintage Character with Clean Lines
Our designs strike a harmony between ornate craftsmanship and streamlined modernity. That might mean pairing a vintage Persian rug with a tailored sofa, or hanging a gilded mirror over a sleek console. The contrast makes each element shine.
4. Layer Textures for Depth
A thoughtful mix of old and new isn’t just visual — it’s tactile. Combining natural woods, handwoven textiles, smooth stone, and aged metals makes your home feels rich and dimensional, not just “decorated.”
5. Make Pieces Functional for Today
Your heirlooms should work as beautifully as they look. We might repurpose an antique chest into a bar cabinet or reimagine a vintage table as a kitchen island — ensuring they have a meaningful place in your daily life.
When blending old and new with intention, you create a home that’s both elegant and deeply personal. It’s a way to honor your past while designing for your future — a perfect reflection of where you’ve been and where you’re going.
