Whatever your taste in decoration, an element of visual contrast is a great way to make your home more interesting and personal. Something oppositional or unexpected awakens the senses. Achieving a look that floats timelessly from one generation to another isn’t about matching periods, woods and finishes; it’s about mixing historic elements with contemporary pieces and layering patterns and textures while maintaing a visual hierarchy.
One way (among many) that designers create such a look is by placing modern, abstract art among traditional furnishings. The juxtaposition sets the artworkapart, giving it a moment in the sun, without overshadowing the furniture style. The whole room gets a new freshness.
The mixing of metallic finishes, a simple table paired with Klismos-inspired chairs, a traditional sideboard topped with gorgeous green lamps, and the sparklychandelier overhead. This quiet, subdued bedroom experiences a jolt of excitement thanks to the colorful painting above the sofa. The art picks up some of the colors sprinkled throughout the room, introduces a few new ones to jazz things up, and brings the transitional look full-circle.
A play of scale makes this vignette successful. We are accustomed to seeing a larger mirror over an entry table with, perhaps, some nearby artwork. Tracery Interiors upended our expectations with a sizable abstract painting hung above a demure but punchy console, polished off with a tiny tabletop mirror. The composition isn’t cluttered, but it is surely multi-layered and exciting.
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Put all the focus on a show-stopping piece of art above a fireplace and between built-ins, as was done in this beachy living room. The colors in the painting are repeated in the furnishings and finishes, but the subject matter and composition make it stand out on its own.
Today, you had a look at the use of modern artwork in rooms that otherwise could be described as fairly traditional or classic. From now on, the rule is: Mix Modern and Traditional. Anchor a room with traditional accessories, and then juxtapose them with modern art for a fresh feel. Be inspired!
