Search

Search
Close this search box.

Five Simple Tips for Decorating and Enjoying Antiques

Antiques add story, character and create a sense of history. They can add unique charm and timeless elegance that modern furnishings often lack. Combining antiques from different periods and countries creates an interesting mix.  It’s fun to give an antique new life with an interesting fabric or repurpose it as something else.  A house filled with only antiques can make a room feel dowdy and museum like. Here are my Five Simple Tips for Decorating and Enjoying Antiques so your house doesn’t look “granny”.

This post was originally published back in 2021. It is one of my most read, so it was time to update it with new information and current photos.

Five Simple Tips for Decorating and Enjoying Antiques

Five Simple Tips for Decorating and Enjoying Antiques

REPURPOSE ANTIQUES

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and use antique furniture and architectural items for other purposes than they were originally intended. In our fixer upper we placed these vintage European shutters (from Patine) in the niches on either side of the large window.  They previously housed tiny shelves that would have required small knick knacks.  You can read about that renovation here in my post Fixer Upper Living Room Before and After. The chairs were thrifted.  You can find them on Etsy here.

vintage shutter repurposed as wall art with twig table and chair

In our Chualar home they hung as a pair on the wall as art, and now they rotate between our courtyard and our mantel at Christmas.

In front of the large window in  our fixer-upper home we placed a handcrafted twig table with a vintage wicker covered bottle converted to a lamp, a reproduction pig, and a vintage wicker vase. On either side of the table are a pair of thrifted vintage chinoiserie chairs. In our Chualar home this table resided in our family room.

twig table with vintage chairs, vintage wicker lamp and wicker vase filled with snoballs

In my son’s family room, an antique (cut down) coffee table is flanked by two modern sofas. The coffee table (purchased years ago in Maine had one damaged leg so it was cut down to coffee table size) is decorated with a new seagrass tray, foraged antlers, and an antique pewter vase.

cindy hattersley designed family room sofa area

On the mantel in our fixer upper I layered a (mirror from the last 20 years), a favorite thrifted vintage painting of a boy, and some vintage lawn bowling pins that I found at Roundtop several years back.  That fireplace was so fun to decorate.  It had so much character.

cindy hattersley's fireplace mantel

MIX ANTIQUES AND MODERN

The built-in (in our current home)  is newish (when the home was built), but is filled with vintage pieces and antique accessories. The vintage and antique accessories tone down the newness of the built -in.

great room built in cabinet and vintage objects

I found this great modern console for my son’s living room a few years ago.  We styled it with vintage wicker covered bottles & and other accent pieces.  We hung a thrifted pair of vintage shutters (you can find similar from my friend Michael from Captial Salvage) on eBay here. and thrifted flea market art above it to tone down the modern vibe.

modern iron console with vintage shutters

BLEND ANTIQUES FROM DIFFERENT ERAS & COUNTRIES

This corner cupboard is American from the early 1800’s.  It is filled with a mixture of American redware and some eastern European pieces. The wicker chairs are vintage.  Mixing it up creates interest. The floor lamp is Mexican and the coffee table is contemporary.

cindy hattersley's family room with corner cupboard

This modern console table (also in my son’s home) is made with reclaimed wood (from a ship) and has a modern iron base. I styled the top with artwork and vintage and modern accessories. The chairs on either side are french.  I had them upholstered with white cowhide for fun.  I love the juxtaposition of the rustic with the refined. The wicker trunk under the table is antique.

Console table styled with art, and vintage accessories

In my son’s library, we combined a modern bistro table with vintage french chairs.  Again I covered these in hide to tone down the “fancy french” look.  The cabinet is filled with vintage thrifted accessories and new Home Goods finds.

collected library by cindy hattersley design

CHOOSE PIECES YOU LOVE

I searched for an antique wicker traveling trunk for years and finally came across this one. This is a vignette in my former entry. I love everything about this vignette.   An antique bowl is filled with a collection of moss balls and some naturally shed antlers and horn.  The mirror is not old or vintage. You can find similar traveling trunks on Ebay here.  We sold the mirror with the house, but i still own all the other treasures.

The wicker traveling trunk works in practically every room in this house.  Currently it resides behind my sofa in our current home, as seen in the picture above.

vintage travellng trunk in Cindy Hattersley's Spanish Colonial entry

This vignette was on my fireplace in my former home.  The antique house vent came from eBay, the tool and dye panels from Roundtop, the breadbord from Tancredi & Morgen.  The beautiful french brides box on the coffee table also came from Rountop. The breadboard is currently on my coffee table in our great room.  The vent is on the fireplace, and the vase resides on the built in.

CINDY HATTERSLEY MANTLE & COFFEE TABLE

If you find the perfect piece, that will stand the test of time that you love you will always find a place for it.

CONSIDER FORM AND FUNCTION

Antique pieces are often not very utilitarian.  Many of the chests etc. just have a couple drawers and the top was meant to store blankets (hence the name blanket chest). It’s hard to find large dining or harvest tables.  Many are too small or too big. Steve built our dining table over 30 years ago.  The base is an old quilting frame and the top constructed by him.  The chairs are fairly new (maybe 15 years ago).

cindy hattersley's dining room in her spanish colonial

On the table an antique tray purchased in New England over 25 years ago. We talk about how accessories make an outfit.  Collecting interesting accessories make a home.  If you buy/collect what you love, you will always find a place for it.

lemons and olive on dining table in Cindy Hattersley's home

I had a cushion and pillows made for this antique bench in our primary bedroom to make it more comfortable and inviting. The bench on its own would not have been very comfortable. The botanicals are vintage and professionally framed but you can find similar options on Wayfair here.

bench with pillows, antique shelf and art

Decorating with antiques doesn’t have to result in a dated or dowdy home. By following these tips and embracing a balanced approach, you can create a space that has a collected look, but seamlessly blends the charm of the past with the comfort of the present. Let your creativity guide you as you curate a home that tells your unique story through your carefully chosen antique treasures.

Thanks for reading five simple tips for decorating and enjoying antiques. You might also enjoy Ten Tips for Achieving Timeless Interiors ,Over 55 Decor, and Rethinking Your Space for the Way you live now. Most items in my home are one of a kind but you can check out my Shop My Home Page for items that are available or the link below:

SHOP THE POST

For more information on decorating with Antiques you might enjoy the articles below.

Veranda How to Decorate with Antiques and Vintage Pieces.

Homes and Gardens How to Decorate with Antiques

Country Living How to Decorate your Home with Antiques and Vintage Finds.

Have a Great day!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary from Life at Bella Terra says

    Cindy, I love combining antiques with other styles. I love that blue wicker chair. You have such a great sense of style….I need you to come to Phoenix and help me with this place!

  2. Prue Batten says

    Every vignette you’ve created is beautiful and it would be so easy to build a story around each one – filled with heart and soul.
    But there’s the thing, you see – I’m a reader and I love books and was surprised to see no books anywhere. Some of my friends and acquaintances are very skilled at interior styling and the ones that thrill me the most are those where I sink into a chair and pick up a book, or run my finger along titles in bookshelves, even in kitchens. IMO, they create a style and ambience without even trying.
    What are your thoughts on real library shelves, on shelves for books? One can break up the heaviness with objets, and then there are a multitude of stories…

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Prue

      My office is filled with design books.I read everything on my phone or kindle now. My books were in a cupboard with doors in Chualar. I always wished we had some bookcases. When we moved I kept my garden and design books. They are all in my office on my shelves. I have a few shelves in my kitchen for cookbooks as well but I really downsized them as well because so many recipes are on line now. My son and daughter in law don’t read much as they work all the time. So I guess if you come to my house you have to go to my office for books ha ha! You can see where my books reside in this post on my office https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/how-to-create-a-stylish-productive-workspace/

  3. Barbara Patterson says

    I so want to believe that ‘if you love it, you will always find a place for it’. I have a wonderful piece of gingerbread trim off a home in Canada. It’s large, with aged paint. I have dragged it all over the U.S. and never found a way to display it. There’s always a window in the way, the wall isn’t large enough, etc., etc. However, though I’m 80+ years of age, I will not give up! Someday…

  4. NancyO. says

    Hello, Cindy,
    Happy Friday.
    A great antiques and design post; I love everything!
    Could you share the rug source for your son’s home? Thank you.

  5. Annie Diamond says

    Cindy! No one does antiques better than you! I love how you mix them with more modern pieces! It’s all in the mix!!

  6. Dora Renata Pala says

    Cara Cindy condivido esattamente il tuo pensiero, la nostra casa deve rispecchiare ciò che piace a noi perché né facciamo parte ogni giorno, È bellissimo essere circondati da oggetti che hanno un vissuto, una storia. La mia piccola attuale casa in città è decisamente un misto di antico, arte povera, ecc ma il tutto si collega con gusto. La vita cambia, gli anni passano credo ti troverai bene comunque in una piccola casa he adatterai alle tue esigenze di adesso. Poi avrai più tempo per la tua splendida nipotina Summer.

  7. Carol Heartfelt Whimsies says

    Great post full of useful tidbits on styling with antiques! You make everything look fresh and organic! I love items that lend soul to a home!!

  8. Karen B. says

    I love the antiques when mixed with newer items. I love the antiques we’ve purchased along the way. Great tips, thank you.
    xo,
    Karen

  9. Lynne says

    I always learn from you, Cindy. Your mantle is amazing. All elements of antique and rustic persuasion, arranged to whisper a contemporary vibe.

  10. Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says

    Cindy, I love your home! Some many interesting pieces and stories. I think I missed something because I read in a comment above you purchased a “fixer upper” I cannot wait to see it and follow along.

    Our house is a mixture of our collections, finds and new things as well. We have vintage fishing creels, a 500 year old Chinese wedding cabinet, a hand carved German cabinet, as well as pieces from Africa, and our travels in Europe. It is eclectic but it works and we love it.

  11. Jane Pekar says

    Cindy,
    I look forward to your home decor and fashion posts! I need to replace a large L-shaped sectional in our AZ vacation home. I absolutely love your sofa and loveseat in the family room. Classy meets comfort! Will you share the maker and model with me?Best wishes as your transition to your new digs!
    Jane Pekar

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Jane

      Unfortunately our sofas were custom made by my upholsterer.Serena and Lily does have the miramar sofa which is very similar. Any upholsterer could add nailheads. Here is the link https://rstyle.me/+8AcU2E_GcC2cv4qXtCiPkA. Thank you for the good wishes it will be a challenge!

  12. Heidi says

    Hi Cindy,
    I love your collected look and all your lovely antiques. There’s so much warmth and character in each of your rooms.
    I don’t think I have any true antiques, but I do have some “old stuff”: pieces that I love, pieces from my parents’ home, pieces found in weird little shops. That and all the books and collections make this house interesting to me! It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, definitely doesn’t fit a mold, but I love it!
    Your post gives me things to think about, I’m refreshing and reworking things around here!
    Xo Heidi

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Heidi
      Your house is darling! Who cares if a piece has “provenance”. Your house tells your story just as your art does. That’s what I love to see. When I saw your home via Kim I thought that is Heidi! Isn’t it sad when someone does their home for someone else? They are never happy then because it doesn’t reflect them.

  13. home before dark says

    Your home is so very personal and inviting. It will be fun to see how your things will look in your new home! I like the eclectic mix and never match approach. And, of course, all of the attention to texture. It will be fun to see how your things will look in your new home! Our most unusual antique is a secretary we inherited from my husband’s mother’s uncle. He went to France after WWI and ended up buying three panels from the badly damaged Reims cathedral. Very gothic paintings! He found a cabinet maker in Iowa (he was in Topeka!) to build it. The uncle, we sadly think, was a cross between Madoff and Jay Gatsby, but we have the secretary and the story. It’s in its own “little room” library along with a curio cabinet of my husband’s grandmother who ruined the top with her ivy collection. Don’t tell her, but I gold-leafed that puppy! It turned out to be a room in tribute to the grandmothers. One was a rather flamboyant poet. The other raised…then cooked chickens and rabbits. And that’s the fun side of antiques!

    ps I did notice there were no pictures of the wine cellar. You’re running out of time!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Oh my gosh I love those stories Patricia! I totally thought of you when I was posting those pictures. I may have to just send them to you! It is a bit dated. Steve is going to have to go back to using the big wall cooler that was passed on to us, and then our son. He and his wife in their spare time while being unemployed built a cellar in their basement. He is going to loan his dad some space until he fills it up! He will only be a few blocks away from our fixer upper!! Stay tuned for that. The house has potential!

  14. eileen chadwick says

    I love your use of natural area rugs and not orientals. I just moved my rug to bedroom for a more RL look. Then bought my first jute rug for living room and WOW young and fun!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Eileen
      I love them, they are natural, biodegradeable and reasonable so if your dog or cat barfs on them too many times out they go!! I had nice rugs at one time and decided they weren’t for our family!

  15. Cindy Adams says

    Seeing these lovely pictures reminds me of a quote from Alexandra Stoddard “ you should love everything in your home.” I have on occasion walked through with that quote in mind and found there were somethings I didn’t really love anymore.

    Thanks for you wonderful post

    Cindy

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Cindy
      Me too!! It is funny once you know you can’t take everything you realize you don’t want it all anyway. My husband the hoarder is even ready!!

  16. Robin says

    Hey Cindy,
    I love your house and garden. I nominate you for “Collected Style”. Love your mix of antiques with comfy upholstered pieces. My husband and I both love your fireplaces!
    I was just wondering, since you are downsizing, what you will do with all your extra furnishings? How do you know what to keep, with such a gorgeous collection?

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Robin

      Thank you so much! Good question about downsizing. First of all, we sold our lake house completely furnished and the buyers of this house are interested in some of the furnishings as well. We will probably sell most of the upholstered furniture and some things that are not near and dear to us. Our kids both like antiques and have a mix of new and old in their homes. We will save anything they want. This little house will be a good experiment for us. It is a bit smaller than where we plan to land! I am glad you like our fireplaces. I am thankful that we stuck with more of a traditional style. Most rooms have been painted a couple of times, the kitchen, laundry and office a refresh but that’s about it. The bathrooms need updating but that will be for the new owners.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Teri

      It will be very tough. We really hadn’t planned to sell for a couple of years but our friend and realtor said we should jump on it while prices were good. If we sold one we thought we would move in to the other. Low and behold, they sold within days of each other. We know it is time for another young family to enjoy.

  17. Carol Diamond says

    Beautiful! Your home is decorated with a timeless touch! I am more contemporary but got some antiques from my mother-in-law. They look great. Now I’m eclectic!! This is the house you sold, right? Are you staying in the area?

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Carol

      We are still in our house it does not close until May 15. We will be staying in the area for awhile. Since we are suddenly homeless we are moving into one of our rental properties until we figure out what to do. Stay tuned for a fixer upper here on the blog. The house has great bones. Demo began today!

  18. Wren says

    How old must a piece be to be defined as “antique” these days? I always thought it meant 100+ years but I think that number is lower now. Could you enlighten, please? I think the high-low principle of dressing is almost apt to mixing in old treasures with new in one’s home furnishings.
    I have multiple pieces in my home that are antiques and that I treasure because of sentimentality as well as usefulness. Two big arm chairs from my childhood home have been recovered several times and look great since the bones of the furniture built then was better. I have a little desk and chair of wicker from a porch (I’ve been told) of the home in Pasadena where my dad lived as a boy. I’m guessing they are close to 100 years and are still in good condition.
    I love having these timeless pieces around me. Since I’m a bit of an antique myself, I think some of the things I mentioned also must qualify!

    • LA CONTESSA says

      100 years old is considered an ANTIQUE in AMERICA.IN Europe that would be considered a piece of old stuff………….
      The trend about 25 years ago was making Vintage pieces out to be ANTIQUES!The Vintage / Antique world is like the HIGH/ LOW LOOK of today.

      • Wren says

        Thanks for your thoughts, Contessa! I have seen you from Cindy’s blog and trust that you know what you’re talking about. I remember reading that you once had your own antique store in Lafayette.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Wren

      Elizabeth is right an antique is supposed to be at least 100 years old to be considered antique but it has been used rather loosely over the years. Something vintage theoretically is supposed to be at least 20+ years. My husband is more of a purest than me. For many years all we had were antiques. He has warmed up over the years to us having some new mixed with the old. Give me something old anyday though and I prefer it!!

      • Wren says

        Thanks, Cindy~
        I love every room in your house as well as the gardens and your clothing styles. Your taste is impeccable and I could move right in (except that someone else is going to). We are all waiting to see what you do in the next phase of your life. It’s really nice that your husband enjoys collecting too. Lucky you~

  19. Theresa says

    I have noticed you frequently use small olive trees in pots in your photos. Are they real or artificial? If they are real can you keep olive trees as houseplants?

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Theresa
      I had a couple of faux ones but they really got crummy looking. I have had success with the olives as long as they get a lot of sun. I have two in my kitchen window right now and they are thriving. If you use them in a room that has less light you need to move them around. I am a pretty decent outdoor gardener but my gardening skills lack indoors. I am going to work on that when we move to a smaller place.

  20. Linda Ebright says

    I love every pic and have saved a bunch to Pinterest. Years ago a decorator friend told me that every room needs something old. I found this especially true when we built and moved into a new home 6 years ago. Even though I tried to style the woodwork in my new home to look like 1920s era, it’s still NEW! I can’t believe how much warmth I get when I place an antique chest, bowl, basket, whatever in a room. It just warms the place and for me it says “home”. Thanks for your inspiration!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Linda

      I completely agree with your friend, I cannot imagine a room with everything new. An antique or vintage piece just takes the edge off of an otherwise newly furnished space.

  21. Jul ie says

    I’ve always been good with styling clothes for myself, but decorating my home, not so much. I am learning a great deal from you. Thank you!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Julie
      Thank you so much. We all have our strengths and weeknesses don’t we? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do it all?

  22. Cynthia says

    Beautiful home! Every room is so interesting you want to linger and take it all in.
    And I love the fact that it is warm and inviting not the typical show home where it’s lovely to look at but not to live.
    Great taste!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Cynthia

      Thank you so much, Our house is certainly lived in between the animals and the people who are just as messy and dirty!!

  23. Joanna says

    I have an antique or two, along with transitional decor, in most rooms. I think they add some interest and depth. I love that you have repurposed many finds. I have a delicate, scrolled wicker chair that I found in someone’s garbage and brought it home, fixed it up,, painted it white, added a round piece of glass on the seat and mounted it on the wall beside a guest bed as a night table. It’s practical and whimsical.

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      I love that Joanna! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Doesn’t it make you feel so good when you can save something from the landfill and enjoy it!!

  24. Norine Woodcock says

    Cindy,
    I love your style and this post. It is inspiring to see how you have been able to make the items you have collected over the years continue to work in your home. I agree that it creates the unique personality of the home. Thanks for sharing!

    • Cindy Hattersley says

      Hi Norine

      Thank you so much for commenting. I am so glad you enjoyed the post!

Edit Content
Click on the Edit Content button to edit/add the content.
• powered by chloédigital