As I mentioned in my previous antique blog, using antiques and heirlooms has become increasingly popular. In addition, there’s been a design paradigm shift between generations; as millennials are buying their own homes, they tend to decorate with antiques and repurposed items, a callback to the nostalgia of the early 2000s. Meanwhile, older generations are selling their old pieces of furniture to make way for a new and fresh design style as they step into retirement!

Younger generations love the idea of antiques because when they come across a piece that’s not mass-produced or machine-made, something unique with the craftsmanship of being handmade, it’s like finding a rare jewel. Something unique that only they possess.

Incorporating Antiques and Heirlooms into Your Home

The key to incorporating antiques and heirlooms into your home is finding the right balance between the antique and the other modern pieces you may possess. I’ve already discussed my favorite ways of finding antique pieces and my favorite designers who repurpose furniture. Another popular trend is going to estate sales! So what should you be looking for precisely to ensure the piece will be useful in your overall design?

Functionality

One of the first things you should take into consideration is the functionality of the piece. Always go with your gut instinct; allow yourself to be drawn to particular pieces. Then ask yourself, what function does this piece have? Is it purely decorative? Is it a piece of furniture? How can I use this piece to achieve its greatest potential?

Get Creative

Creativity is key to sustainable design. Once you understand the functionality of your piece, ask yourself what you can add to it to help balance it with other objects in your home. Should you repaint it? If it’s a piece of furniture, should you replace the nails with a newer one to make it more sturdy?

You’re the Artist

Every now and then, I’ll find myself down a Youtube rabbit hole of art restoration videos. It’s incredibly fascinating to watch conservators restore a piece of artwork. Think of yourself as one of these conservators. Ask yourself what the purpose of the piece is? What is it meant to convey? What are you meant to feel when you look at it? And how can you use that to bring the piece into the 21st century?