# 53 Mix Old With New

A consistent color palette helps keep vintage collections orderly.  

Instead of devoting time, effort, and money to adding architectural interest to the home focus on decorating and accessorizing to add personality to the existing space. Here, two funky signs stand side-by-side to create unique and fun art. A side table holds vintage croquet balls and antique books to round out the vignette.

An eclectic mix of antique, secondhand, and inexpensive retail tableware graces this hutch made from old barnwood. The polka-dot pattern on the plates and cups adds a dash of personality to the formal dining room.

To stick with the vintage look, it's important to find furnishings that aren't obviously mass-produced pieces. Here, a mirrored end table pairs well with a painted settee. Both are newer pieces weathered enough to fit into the vintage decor of the home.

Create multifunctional spaces that can serve as a place to work, eat, or entertain. The desk, table, and chairs are antiques, while supporting details, such as the rug and draperies,, are new retail add-ons. The signage is a vintage element that shines in this room. The rug helps tie the room's color palette together with stripes that match the wall color, sign, and chairs.

Delicate white-painted furniture and a collection of treasured photos combine to create a soothing spot to begin and end the day. The mirror takes center stage in this wall display by creating a focal point for the bedroom and a function for the makeshift vanity. Flanking the mirror with symmetrical art arrangements adds a traditional touch to the bedroom, while the vintage frames maintain the home's cozy motif.

Accessorizing is the most important element of a home's decor,, because it's where the homeowner's personality shines through. The little details make the bedroom, such as this bright pink bouquet of roses and a handpainted tray to hold jewelry.