With the popularity of homes being redecorated, many people are looking for ways to break up their decorating schemes. By mixing modern, classic, and vintage pieces together in one room or throughout a home, you can create a well-lived life that is both comfortable and stylish.
When decorating your home, you don’t have to stick to one style. Mixing modern, classic, and vintage pieces can make a room look well-lived in.
Madelynn Furlong took the photos.
As seen before on
W&D’s April topic was about finding a feeling of belonging in life, whether in a physical place, in our relationships, or inside ourselves. As the month draws to a conclusion, we decided to resurrect this article from the archives, in which Kate and the W&D crew collaborated with Madelynn Furlong to design her new residence in Los Angeles.
Madelynn offers four suggestions for creating a beautiful, one-of-a-kind environment that helps you feel at ease. We hope her remarks provide you with some inspiration. Friends, take care of yourself. We wish you a pleasant weekend.
I packed up my life in Minneapolis five months ago with the hazy intention of heading west. I wanted a change and was fortunate enough to have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to concentrate only on myself and my profession, which brought me to the sunny metropolis of Los Angeles. If you need help with apartments and rents in LA, check rent.com.
After a month and a half at an Airbnb, I soon realized that being surrounded by other people’s things wasn’t my thing, so I swiftly signed a lease, received a set of keys, and was on my way to my first grown-up solo apartment.
It occurred to me after the joyful champagne burst that I needed to adorn the venue. My last two flats were both large rectangular lofts, but this one had rooms. To be precise, there are four large, vacant, and very lovely rooms. And I needed to figure out how to furnish them, and for the first time in my adult life, all I had to do was keep myself in mind.
Decorating my new Los Angeles apartment turned into a voyage of self-discovery. I discovered that my previous minimalist Scandi-style was really more my ex’s taste than mine. Color and quirkiness appealed to me. I relished the opportunity to mix and match elements to create a look that was uniquely my own.
Decorating my new Los Angeles apartment turned into a voyage of self-discovery. I discovered that my previous minimalist Scandi-style was really more my ex’s taste than mine. Color and quirkiness appealed to me. I relished the opportunity to mix and match elements to create a look that was uniquely my own.
But how does one go about doing it? How can you create a house that is diverse and one-of-a-kind while still feeling elevated and chic? That was my goal, and I’m extremely pleased to share how I went about designing my own self-discovery process with you.
Begin with the fundamentals
When you move into a new house, there are a number of important items that you will need right away. To mention a few, there’s a couch, a table, and a bed. Modern shops and designers are typically the most convenient places to buy for these items.
One, because the West Elms and CB2s of the world are fast, so if you get a set of keys and discover you don’t have a bed, you can fix the issue in less than a day. Two, these basic, contemporary items help establish a solid background so that when you start mixing in the more personality-driven pieces (i.e. vintage), you don’t wind up with a house that appears like it belongs in the 1960s. Friends, it’s all about striking a balance.
I went straight to Article after receiving my apartment keys to locate the ideal couch for my new place. Despite the fact that I already had one leather couch, I was completely smitten with the Cube Quartz Sofa and knew I had to get it. It is, in my view, the ideal no-fuss, beautiful but comfy sofa. Not to mention all of the design elements that make it seem genuinely unique in any environment.
For my bedroom, I also took a chance on their green daybed, since who doesn’t want a velvet green daybed? After successfully owning three sofas (this lady loves her sitting), I added one CB2 dining table and an IKEA bed to the mix, and I had my basic canvas.
Vintage is added to the mix
Now that you’ve got your basics, it’s time to add some of those quirky items with a lot of personality. Fortunately for me, L.A. has a plethora of flea markets where I can find some great antique finds. However, I acquired a minor addiction to looking for furniture on Chairish. My large 80s resin coffee table and the small Asian rattan seat, both of which are currently sitting in my living room, were both purchased from Chairish.
Chairs are another wonderful way to add individuality to a room, and there are so many beautiful antique sets to choose from. I got my dining chairs for $100 (!!!) on Craigslist and upholstered the seats in black canvas to make them appear more raised and contemporary. Shopping vintage is often about recognizing a piece’s potential. It’s also about putting forth a little more effort (a.k.a. paint). I discovered an old desk in the alley behind my flat and turned it into a small bar in my dining room with a new coat of black paint.
A beautiful Frances Loom rug added some much-needed color to my dining area (slash workspace, to be honest). I’ll confess right now that Kate was the one who introduced me to Frances Loom carpets. It seems that her affection for them is infectious!
Lighting is another excellent method to give your room some individuality. It’s something we all miss, particularly when it comes to leasing, yet it’s a game changer! In the dining room when I initially moved in, there was a massive garish chandelier hanging. The space seemed immediately changed and more “me” when I replaced it with my Workstead light.
Complete the look by adding the finishing touches
This is the point where I, unfortunately, fail miserably. How can one make a room feel warm and inviting? It baffles me. But, with the assistance of the W&D team, I discovered that three things are crucial: art, plants, and textiles.
I wanted all of the fabrics to give each space a warm, rich vibe. And I was fortunate enough to come across a few great items from some fantastic designers. These beautiful Heidi Merrick throw pillows brought a pop of color and velvet to the living area. I enjoy sitting in front of an evening fire (yes, even in L.A., I have fires) with a nice book and a bottle of wine.
Last but not least, due to The Citizenry, the bedroom received a major textile makeover. All of the throw cushions and the rug are from their lovely store. I wanted my bedroom to feel peaceful but yet having the same personality as the rest of the home, so I went with neutral hues in this more private area, but I love how much pattern and texture all these extra items bring.
Don’t buy it if you don’t like it
I once read an article with an artist who discussed her own living space and home design approach. I recall her using a wooden box as a nightstand, which the interviewer inquired about. “I utilize the container out of necessity,” she simply answered. I haven’t found the perfect nightstand yet, and I’m not going to buy one until I do.”
It’s quite OK to take your time with the procedure and get used to the vacant places in your house. I still have a few things to finish up in my apartment, but I’m going to wait till I find the perfect item. I’ve discovered that the search is worthwhile.
That is, in essence, my decorating philosophy. It’s quite OK to take your time with the procedure and get used to the vacant places in your house. I still have a few things to finish up in my apartment, but I’m going to wait till I find the perfect item. I’ve discovered that the search is worthwhile. Because, in the end, making oneself a home and refuge is well worth the wait.
The mixing antiques with farmhouse is a way to create a home that has both modern and classic pieces. It will give you the best of both worlds.
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