Top Chicago Interior Designer Anthony Michael

You’ve recently bought a house and are looking to design the interior, but you’re torn between infusing it with old-fashioned flair or embracing modern trends. What if you could combine both? Merging styles creates a home experience that is uniquely yours. Thankfully, you don’t have to make extravagant structural changes or break the bank to fund the fusion. Benefits of Blending Classic and Modern Styles Infusing your home with different styles to bring old and new together is more than just making a statement. Here’s why it makes sense to blend antique and contemporary: Makes your home timeless: The fusion of styles can make your house look exclusive and chic, regardless of current trends. Adds history to your house: Your home will look like it has embraced history and its various looks over the years. Enhances elegance: Both styles are sophisticated and fashionable, so combining them would enhance the elegance of the space. How to Blend Trendy and Classy Styles Many styles complement modern designs and trends. Among these are contemporary and luxe, maximalist and industrial, southwest and eclectic, and mid-century and rustic. How do you do this right so it doesn’t lead to clutter and clunkiness? Here are some aspects to pay attention to: Fixtures Fixtures are possibly the most traditional items in the house because they are built with the structure. However, that doesn't mean you can’t transform them to meet your transitional style. Take lights, for example. You could change your bulbs to more modern and efficient LEDs to adopt an innovative approach to your antique fixtures. Another important aspect is windows. There are many types of traditional windows, and many can be seamlessly integrated with contemporary looks. For example, ceiling-height picture windows are trendy and exude style. Pair these with classic wooden frames and add plants to incorporate a classy feel. Bay windows are frequently seen in Queen Anne homes, but you can add steel frames to the panes and minimalistic seating to the sill to make it look modern. In addition, consider keeping or adding old wooden doors to add a timeless touch to your modern house. As for fireplaces, you can add an electric alternative to the firebox and keep the brick structure. Materials Your house may be made of bricks, but you can still elevate its looks and upgrade the interior. The idea is to keep the original materials intact while adding a modern touch for a transitional look. Try mixing and matching the materials to bring variety to your space. For example, you can introduce stainless steel backsplashes and cooktops to contrast with exposed brick walls in the kitchen for a 1700s industrial and 2000s contemporary fusion. Also, consider switching wooden interior door panels with glass to add style and light to the room. Furniture Furniture is one of the easiest ways to make your interior look modern and classic. Many aspects can be optimized to make the style work. Here are some: Proportions: The key is to balance the size of your furniture. For example, if you have a big, bulky sofa, opt for smaller, minimalistic side and coffee tables. Look for simpler, muted chairs for an ornate, antique dining table. This balance will bring equilibrium to your design and improve space efficiency. Style: Consider adding smaller changes to your existing furniture for a fusion of styles. Switch your modern drawer knobs to brass antiques. You could also do a little DIY project and add stained glass to wooden consoles to add vibrancy. Era: Bring back some old furniture to complement the room. Leather or velvet armchairs can be great additions to your office or reading nook. Showcase fine china in glass cabinets. You could also put up a wooden floating shelf and add a chalkboard for added antique elements in your kitchen. Lighting: If your space exudes a modern look, add gold or brass wall lights for balance. Likewise, if the room is classic, introduce minimalistic pendant lights. Design The right design choice lets you bridge the gap between the past and present in your interior. For example, if your room consists of one or two muted, classic colors, consider adding a rug or throw blanket with geometrical designs in different colors to bring a modern feel. If your walls are empty, include classic or trendy wallpapers or wainscotting to accentuate the style. Swap the conventional staircase railing for a wooden one, and add modern fabric patterns to your curtains and blinds to fuse both styles. Combine Old and New for a Timeless and Trendy Home Interior design is all about customization — it showcases character, enhances the welcoming aura and reflects your personality. Making the style a seamless fusion of polar opposites like contemporary and modern is the perfect way to exude your taste, versatility and uniqueness.

Anthony Michael Interior Design presents the top interior design trends for modern homes in 2025. Discover new ways to elevate your space. Explore more!