Collect slowly.
Take a cue from this Lake Simcoe, Ontario, dining space and accumulate pieces—such as chairs, rugs and a hutch—over time. “I love that antiques tell a story,” says designer Ashley Montgomery.
Bring different eras together.
The lighting, chairs, table and art in this room may have been inspired by different decades, but the pieces create a seamless “old meets new” appeal. In particular, the traditional antique dining table, more than 100 years old and complete with original casters, shows “a history of being loved,” says designer Mary Patton. She balanced the piece with modern plastic armchairs from Kartell.
Add zing to dark pieces.
Painting vintage furniture, like this Chinese-style cabinet, in a vibrant color can transform its look (just be sure to clean, sand and dry it first).…
