Decorating
How to Integrate Family Heirlooms Into Your Home
Inheriting family pieces can present the dilemma of what is trash or treasure – but those you keep can add unique personality to a room
I think many of us have been faced with, or will face, the dilemma of having to clear out a large family home and sort through what’s of value, what should be kept, what should be sold and what should be donated. You may need to make some tough decisions. There’s absolutely no point keeping something that you’re either not going to use or not going to display. Too many of us store away the treasure because it’s just too difficult to incorporate into your decor or because you feel it’s too precious to be used. Be serious about this. Keep it because you love it and because you feel a connection to it not because you feel obliged. But if you do feel you have to have it, make sure you use it!
Once you’ve made your cull, you are still left with the dilemma of how you include the treasured pieces you just can’t part with into your own home. Where will you put your aunt’s grandfather clock, Gran’s armoire or Grandad’s amateur artwork? Take a look below at how you might keep some of these pieces without compromising your decor.
Once you’ve made your cull, you are still left with the dilemma of how you include the treasured pieces you just can’t part with into your own home. Where will you put your aunt’s grandfather clock, Gran’s armoire or Grandad’s amateur artwork? Take a look below at how you might keep some of these pieces without compromising your decor.
Paint it perfect
One of the simplest ways to incorporate a vintage armoire into modern decor is to update it with a new paint finish. Don’t be shy about picking a bold or intense colour. As long you can balance it against more neutral decor, it won’t overpower the space. Alternatively, let the piece speak for itself in its original finish and apply a bold, contemporary finish on the room’s walls and floors.
TIP: You can go with an intense colour if you’ve got something neutral to balance it. Many decorative paint ranges are designed to be used without arduous preparation – just clean the surface and get painting!
One of the simplest ways to incorporate a vintage armoire into modern decor is to update it with a new paint finish. Don’t be shy about picking a bold or intense colour. As long you can balance it against more neutral decor, it won’t overpower the space. Alternatively, let the piece speak for itself in its original finish and apply a bold, contemporary finish on the room’s walls and floors.
TIP: You can go with an intense colour if you’ve got something neutral to balance it. Many decorative paint ranges are designed to be used without arduous preparation – just clean the surface and get painting!
Parade the personal
When my mother-in-law moved into an assisted-care facility, it happened really quickly and we had no time to determine what was of value, what should be kept or even what should be donated from the items left at her home. Several years on and I’m still opening boxes with lovely tea cups, crystal glasses and bowls, and recently came across a mini grandfather clock, still bubble wrapped and stored away. We’re about to do a renovation and I’m determined to bring that clock into the house and feature it in our beachy, contemporary home. It’s a piece we have to keep, we love it and it’s one of the few things that our children remember of their grandmother.
Inventive ideas for unused china
When my mother-in-law moved into an assisted-care facility, it happened really quickly and we had no time to determine what was of value, what should be kept or even what should be donated from the items left at her home. Several years on and I’m still opening boxes with lovely tea cups, crystal glasses and bowls, and recently came across a mini grandfather clock, still bubble wrapped and stored away. We’re about to do a renovation and I’m determined to bring that clock into the house and feature it in our beachy, contemporary home. It’s a piece we have to keep, we love it and it’s one of the few things that our children remember of their grandmother.
Inventive ideas for unused china
Make it tick
Grandad’s clock needn’t be relegated to storage when there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your modern decor. These beautiful old pieces actually find themselves quite at home sitting on a lime-washed floor or darkened floorboards. Place the clock at the end of a hallway or on the landing of a stairwell. The warmth of the wood against contemporary paint finishes actually softens the sometimes sterile feel of a modern home. Of course, if you’re feeling really brave, give the old fella a lick of paint for a modern transformation.
TIP: Make sure you have the clock serviced by an expert; check with your local antique dealer to find the right service person.
Grandad’s clock needn’t be relegated to storage when there are a number of ways to incorporate it into your modern decor. These beautiful old pieces actually find themselves quite at home sitting on a lime-washed floor or darkened floorboards. Place the clock at the end of a hallway or on the landing of a stairwell. The warmth of the wood against contemporary paint finishes actually softens the sometimes sterile feel of a modern home. Of course, if you’re feeling really brave, give the old fella a lick of paint for a modern transformation.
TIP: Make sure you have the clock serviced by an expert; check with your local antique dealer to find the right service person.
Find the balance
By surrounding a single antique piece with contemporary furniture and art, or by adding a pop of colour, older pieces look right at home. The key is to find the right balance when pairing antiques with modern pieces or when placing them in a modern room. Place smaller contemporary pieces on an antique sideboard; even simply adding beautiful flowers or plants can lighten up a darker, old piece. Sitting on top of a modern rug can also complement older pieces.
TIP: Finding balance is not a 50/50 proposition. Try to limit your vintage furniture to one or two larger pieces per space.
By surrounding a single antique piece with contemporary furniture and art, or by adding a pop of colour, older pieces look right at home. The key is to find the right balance when pairing antiques with modern pieces or when placing them in a modern room. Place smaller contemporary pieces on an antique sideboard; even simply adding beautiful flowers or plants can lighten up a darker, old piece. Sitting on top of a modern rug can also complement older pieces.
TIP: Finding balance is not a 50/50 proposition. Try to limit your vintage furniture to one or two larger pieces per space.
Contemporise your cover-ups
Revive a vintage chair by reupholstering it with brand-new contemporary fabric. Avoid fabrics that easily stretch; it’s very hard to control lines and patterns and the fabric will wrinkle. Be bold and modernise old pieces with something bright, funky and unconventional. Alternatively, give the chair a new paint job; lacquer it up in a bold colour for a contemporary finish.
TIP: While this is a potential DIY job – done with some good prep, primer and a can of spray paint – first-timers should check out painting professionals to avoid the possibility of ruining an inheritance piece.
Revive a vintage chair by reupholstering it with brand-new contemporary fabric. Avoid fabrics that easily stretch; it’s very hard to control lines and patterns and the fabric will wrinkle. Be bold and modernise old pieces with something bright, funky and unconventional. Alternatively, give the chair a new paint job; lacquer it up in a bold colour for a contemporary finish.
TIP: While this is a potential DIY job – done with some good prep, primer and a can of spray paint – first-timers should check out painting professionals to avoid the possibility of ruining an inheritance piece.
Reveal the rustic
Do you have some heirloom rugs lying around gathering dust? They’re perfect for covering an ottoman or footstool, but be sure to have them steam-cleaned first. Add a cool, modern trim, and replace the legs or paint the old ones to give it a more modern feel.
TIP: There are many online tutorials for DIY reupholstering projects, however don’t undertake the project unless you’re sure you’re going to love the end result and/or you’re prepared to lose the piece if it all goes sideways.
Do you have some heirloom rugs lying around gathering dust? They’re perfect for covering an ottoman or footstool, but be sure to have them steam-cleaned first. Add a cool, modern trim, and replace the legs or paint the old ones to give it a more modern feel.
TIP: There are many online tutorials for DIY reupholstering projects, however don’t undertake the project unless you’re sure you’re going to love the end result and/or you’re prepared to lose the piece if it all goes sideways.
Shine with silver
Silver serving pieces are incredibly functional and look wonderful in a formal setting or, if they are mid-century in style, ideally complement a more casual decor. Do something a little unexpected with them as a beautiful and functional way to use the family silver; perhaps cluster serving pieces on a fireplace or repurpose them as vases. Display silver trays as artwork on a wall in a hallway or above a fireplace.
TIP: To clean tarnished silver, rub pieces with a sponge that has been dampened with hot water and dipped in bi-carb, then buff with a soft cloth.
Silver serving pieces are incredibly functional and look wonderful in a formal setting or, if they are mid-century in style, ideally complement a more casual decor. Do something a little unexpected with them as a beautiful and functional way to use the family silver; perhaps cluster serving pieces on a fireplace or repurpose them as vases. Display silver trays as artwork on a wall in a hallway or above a fireplace.
TIP: To clean tarnished silver, rub pieces with a sponge that has been dampened with hot water and dipped in bi-carb, then buff with a soft cloth.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it
This is a really simple yet effective styling trick; use vintage jars and vases filled with prized pieces. Mix tall and short, and cluster them in odd numbers to create visual weight and symmetry.
TIP: Keep like pieces in each jar – for example, vintage pegs in one jar, shells or vintage buttons in another. For extra visual appeal, sort like-coloured objects together, too.
Ways to show off collections
This is a really simple yet effective styling trick; use vintage jars and vases filled with prized pieces. Mix tall and short, and cluster them in odd numbers to create visual weight and symmetry.
TIP: Keep like pieces in each jar – for example, vintage pegs in one jar, shells or vintage buttons in another. For extra visual appeal, sort like-coloured objects together, too.
Ways to show off collections
Add spark with art
A gallery wall of your grandad’s lifetime portfolio of landscapes or other vintage art, prints, original paintings or even mirrors has a surprisingly contemporary vibe when hung in a modern living room. Try a collection of frames in an eclectic mix of plain, gilt and wood, and play around with the composition until it feels right.
TIP: Frame sentimental family pieces such as scarves, vintage wallpaper offcuts, pages from old magazines and old photos.
More gallery wall ideas
A gallery wall of your grandad’s lifetime portfolio of landscapes or other vintage art, prints, original paintings or even mirrors has a surprisingly contemporary vibe when hung in a modern living room. Try a collection of frames in an eclectic mix of plain, gilt and wood, and play around with the composition until it feels right.
TIP: Frame sentimental family pieces such as scarves, vintage wallpaper offcuts, pages from old magazines and old photos.
More gallery wall ideas
Mix it up
Use your inherited pieces in unexpected ways – crystal glasses or vases as light fittings, for instance, teapots as planters, clock housings as storage, antique frames holding contemporary art.
TIP: Traditional elements often look less fussy when blended into contemporary spaces and often add a softness to what can sometimes feel sterile in a modern setting.
TELL US
Have you inherited a prized piece? Upload a picture and let us know how you have integrated a family heirloom into your decor in the Comments.
MORE
10 Steps to Culling Keepsakes (That Aren’t Worth Keeping)
Design Details: Keeping It in the Family
Shopping for Vintage Finds … at Grandma’s House
Use your inherited pieces in unexpected ways – crystal glasses or vases as light fittings, for instance, teapots as planters, clock housings as storage, antique frames holding contemporary art.
TIP: Traditional elements often look less fussy when blended into contemporary spaces and often add a softness to what can sometimes feel sterile in a modern setting.
TELL US
Have you inherited a prized piece? Upload a picture and let us know how you have integrated a family heirloom into your decor in the Comments.
MORE
10 Steps to Culling Keepsakes (That Aren’t Worth Keeping)
Design Details: Keeping It in the Family
Shopping for Vintage Finds … at Grandma’s House
‘Modern vintage’ – yep, it’s a real term – describes the way we incorporate pieces from a bygone era into more modern, contemporary living spaces. The great news is that mixing vintage and modern is very on-trend and is showing no sign of ever abating. It’s all about finding the right balance, contrasting heirloom pieces with contemporary pieces. Grannie’s console table in a modern hall, surrounded by contemporary art; a vintage grandfather clock sitting on a lime-washed floor; adding a coat of contemporary colour to an otherwise old piece… Just remember it’s about bringing things you love into your living space and effortlessly creating a focal point.