Contemporary, of course, means different things at different times. When your grandmother got a tiger-oak side table for her wedding, and your mother got Fiestaware to put on her kidney shaped coffee table, they were both contemporary. But contemporary home décor now means glass, minimalism, and plenty of storage for electronics. You cannot spurn your family heirlooms; you must simply find a way to integrate great-grandmother’s Victoriana into a 21st century home.
Some small antiques blend into contemporary home décor perfectly. Glass vases, silver, and textiles designed with clean lines and classic style are easy to use. The fabrics in many old quilts, for example, tend to be more neutral from a time before very vibrant dyes were invented. Geometric patterns are the easiest to sew – perfect for contemporary home décor.
Primitive pieces are also wonderful accents in a contemporary home. An oversized, well-used dough trough is a perfect centerpiece on any large dining table. Fill it with something like sand or pebbles for a more modern look. Arrange bamboo in grandmother’s old milk churn; the contrast makes both look better.