 | Nancy Martin is a design consultant for Horton's Furniture. She has been with Horton's for 15 years. Nancy has extensive experience in color coordinating, furniture placement, room design, and accessorizing. Nancy is happy to assist with any decorating problems. You can contact her at (316) 722-5090, or visit her at Horton's, 10915 W. Kellogg, Thursday thru Monday. |
Interior Decorating
2005-09-01 07:39:00
How do I mix old and new?
: I am a recent college graduate. I have just landed my first professional job a few states away from where I have lived all my life. I will be moving quite frequently the first few years. My generous family has bestowed on me quite a lot of used, might I add some very used furniture. I have some money put aside for home furnishings but know that I don't have enough to purchase all new furniture. The only thing that has sentimental value is a dining table from my grandmother. No chairs and it needs refinished, but I have a lot of happy memories at that table. Where do I start?
ANSWER: The furniture you describe is what I refer to as late basement and early attic. It also sounds like you have some wonderful family memories. It's okay we can make it work.Keeping in mind that you will be making a few moves, let's think basics. Versatility is what we want. I would buy a neutral, smaller transitional sofa. Transitional, meaning not ultra contemporary and not a fussy traditional style. Something we can dress up or down with your other furnishings. By neutral it could be any shade of beige, brown, gold or green with little or no pattern. We can always add throw pillows. The next item I would purchase would be a large area rug. Not a pricey original, just a nice rug that appeals to your taste. Don't be afraid of the pattern in the rug. Chances are that you will have furniture sitting on a lot of the design but it gives us a sort of grounded layer and it also can disguise some pretty bad flooring. The third, and I think one of the most important items, is artwork for your walls. Purchase something that is of interest to you. Something that in a new city, you can hang on a wall and it makes you feel at home. Last but not least by any means, Grandma's table. You don't even have to refinish it. Drape it with a large tablecloth that goes all the way to the floor and then layer a somewhat smaller cloth over that. Top the table with a really interesting centerpiece and no one will ever know it needs to be finished. The chairs do not have to match. You can have two of one style and two of another. You can buy unfinished or used chairs, paint them all the same for a more uniform look, or different colors for a little interest or whimsy. Another idea for dining chairs would be an upholstered parson's chair. These are available in many styles and fabrics. The bottom line is, this is your first home and what an exciting time. Add a few pieces that are new, and keep a few pieces that you treasure and cherish from your loved ones that have been there before you. Good luck!
