There’s something undeniably special about a home that tells a story — one where sleek, modern pieces sit alongside timeworn finds, and the past speaks gently into the present. We believe the most compelling interiors aren’t styled from a single era or aesthetic. Instead, they reflect the lives lived within them — curated collections of old and new that feel personal, soulful, and ever-evolving. This philosophy is at the heart of our passion, continuously driving us to seek out exceptional pieces, and soon, a new collection of truly beautiful items will arrive, embodying the very essence of Collected. Curated. Crafted.
Get ready to discover new pieces that will continue your home's narrative from 08.07.2025.
Mixing vintage and contemporary furniture isn’t just a design trend — it’s an art form. It’s how you inject individuality into a space, create contrast and balance, and ensure your home never feels like a showroom. But how do you strike that elusive balance between old-world charm and modern minimalism? Let’s dive into the art of the mix.
Before diving into the how, it’s important to understand why blending vintage with contemporary works so well:
Adds character and depth: Vintage pieces come with visible histories. Their unique imperfections, the subtle wear, and their very existence bring soul and a rich patina to a space that new items simply cannot replicate. Each scratch and intended imperfection tells a part of its previous life, inviting curiosity and conversation. Our continually arriving unique pieces are carefully selected precisely for this inherent character.
Creates visual contrast: Pairing clean-lined, often streamlined, modern forms with the ornate details or rustic finishes of antique pieces creates a compelling visual tension in the best possible way. This juxtaposition feels dynamic, preventing a room from becoming monotonous or overly themed.
Timelessness over trends: A layered look, thoughtfully composed, possesses an inherent timelessness. By drawing from different eras, you create a style that doesn’t date quickly; instead, it evolves organically with your personal taste and life's journey, staying fresh and relevant for years.
Sustainability factor: Incorporating vintage and pre-loved items is one of the most profoundly sustainable ways to furnish your home. It’s a conscious choice that reduces demand for new manufacturing, minimises waste, and gives beautiful objects a second life. Our dedication to bringing you thoughtfully acquired, pre-loved items is a testament to this commitment.
A home layered with both eras feels genuinely lived-in and intentional — not over-styled, not impersonal, always deeply resonant.
A balanced room needs a cohesive backdrop against which the interplay of different styles can truly shine. Start with a foundation of neutral tones — soft whites, gentle greys, earthy beiges, or muted creams — on your walls and larger surfaces. This serene backdrop allows the contrast between your vintage and contemporary pieces to truly stand out without competing for attention. Natural textures like breathable linen, grounded jute, warm oak, or cool stone are excellent choices for larger elements such as rugs, curtains, or primary furniture pieces, acting as the glue that ties different styles together and provides a sense of quiet harmony.
In most successful mixed-style interiors, the larger, foundational items — your comfortable sofa, your functional dining table, or your inviting bed — often serve as contemporary cornerstones. These pieces typically offer the advantages of modern comfort, enhanced functionality, and clean, streamlined silhouettes that provide a calm canvas. Think of these contemporary elements as the backbone of your design.
Then, you begin to layer in vintage character:
Imagine a beautifully rustic armoire tucked into a sleek, minimalist modern bedroom, adding a touch of old-world charm and unexpected texture.
Pair a set of antique dining chairs, perhaps with intricate carvings or a timeworn finish, with a sleek, contemporary oak dining table, creating an immediate visual dialogue between eras.
Place a distinctive 1970s retro coffee table at the centre of a plush, contemporary sectional sofa, bridging styles and adding a unique personality to your living zone.
This thoughtful juxtaposition keeps things dynamic, engaging, and wonderfully unexpected, creating a narrative of contrasts that feels rich and compelling.
You certainly don’t need a room filled entirely with antiques to achieve a captivating mix. Sometimes, a single, well-placed vintage item can become the captivating focal point, drawing the eye and infusing the space with character:
Consider an intricately carved mirror with a rich history hung above a modern console.
A weathered timber bench at the end of a contemporary bed can lend warmth and grounded appeal.
A patinated bronze sculpture or a unique, hand-carved wooden piece on a minimalist shelf can allow its texture and form to truly stand out.
Alternatively, for those who love a grand statement, go bold with a hero piece — a large, antique cabinet or a stately sideboard that inherently grounds the room and dictates a portion of its character.
Few & Far Tip: Our one-of-a-kind vintage pieces are meticulously selected to be precisely this kind of hero or accent. Don’t shy away from their scale or age; instead, celebrate the history and individuality they bring. Our commitment to continually bringing you these unique elements means you’ll always find a fresh item to define your space.
One of the most effective secrets to making seemingly disparate pieces from different eras feel harmonious and cohesive is through the clever use of repetition. This subtle visual echoing creates a rhythmic flow that ties everything together.
Repeating materials: If you introduce a vintage timber piece, subtly echo that timber tone elsewhere in the room, perhaps through a modern picture frame or a contemporary ceramic vase with an earthy finish.
Echoing shapes: Look for recurring shapes. If you have an antique piece with graceful curves or ornate arches, introduce a modern mirror or a light fitting that subtly picks up on similar curvilinear forms. Conversely, if your contemporary furniture is defined by strong, straight lines, choose vintage accessories that share that geometric clarity.
Using a unifying colour palette: This is perhaps the most powerful tool. If your vintage finds carry muted jewel tones or earthy neutrals, ensure your contemporary textiles or decor accessories incorporate these shades, creating a harmonious colour thread throughout the room.
For instance, if you’ve chosen a unique brass lamp from a past era, introduce a modern light fitting or a sleek picture frame in a similar metallic finish elsewhere in the room. This helps create a subtle visual thread that seamlessly connects everything, ensuring your mix feels deliberate and beautifully composed.
What truly distinguishes vintage pieces and infuses them with unparalleled character is their age and the story etched into their surfaces. Embrace the power of patina; let them proudly display their journey.
Subtle scratches on an old timber dining table, the beautifully chipped edges of a ceramic pot, or the sun-faded hues of a well-loved textile — these are not flaws. They are the authentic markings of a life well-lived, silent testimonies to time and use. When you contrast these rich imperfections with contemporary pieces that are refined and pristine, you create a profound sense of grounded warmth and authenticity. The polished newness makes the timeworn feel even more soulful.
Crucially, avoid the temptation to over-restore your vintage finds. Authenticity and the character of age often matter far more than achieving a flawless, as-new polish. A perfectly imperfect piece adds a layer of depth and personality that cannot be replicated. Our continually arriving unique collection is brimming with items that celebrate this very beauty of imperfection.
When fearlessly mixing furniture and decor from different eras, understanding and managing scale and proportion is absolutely crucial for achieving a balanced and harmonious space. Antique furniture often tends to be either smaller and more delicate, or exquisitely ornate with a lighter visual footprint. In contrast, modern pieces can sometimes be oversized, or strikingly streamlined with bold, clean lines. The art lies in creating visual equilibrium:
Don’t overcrowd: Be mindful not to visually overwhelm delicate vintage items by placing them directly next to or too close to bulky, imposing modern pieces. Each piece needs its moment to shine.
Use spacing: Intentionally leave breathing room around each piece. Adequate spacing allows the eye to appreciate each item individually and prevents the room from feeling cramped or cluttered, enhancing both vintage and contemporary elements.
Play with height variation: Create a dynamic and engaging feel by incorporating a variety of heights. A tall, slender antique floor lamp might sit gracefully beside a low, contemporary armchair, or a statement modern sculpture could be placed on a vintage side table. This varied topography guides the eye and adds visual interest.
Think of your room as a carefully composed landscape — with rolling hills and gentle valleys — where your eye moves effortlessly from one unique piece to the next, creating a harmonious and balanced flow that feels intuitive and inviting.
Soft furnishings and small décor accessories are the true unsung heroes, acting as the essential bridge between seemingly disparate vintage and modern styles. These elements possess a remarkable ability to unify a mixed aesthetic:
Featuring a Few & Far Almirah
Image provided by Home Beautiful Magazine
Styled by Lucy Gough
Photographed by Brigid Arnottt
While the thrill of discovering unique vintage finds can be incredibly addictive, it’s essential to approach the process with intentionality and a sense of restraint. The goal is a thoughtfully curated collection that enhances your home’s story, not an overwhelming display of flea market finds.
Each piece you choose should truly earn its place within your space. Before adding an item, consider:
Is it functional? Does it serve a practical purpose within the room?
Does it bring joy? Does its presence genuinely uplift you or make you feel connected to your home?
Does it elevate the story of the space? Does it contribute meaningfully to the narrative you wish your home to tell?
Edit your collection thoughtfully and rigorously. Allow negative space to become an active design element. Often, less is profoundly more, enabling each carefully selected piece to truly shine and resonate with purpose and beauty.
Perhaps the most powerful and compelling reason to mix old and new in your interior design is the rich, layered story it inherently tells. It's a narrative of evolution, a journey through time that speaks to your unique appreciation for both history and modernity. It creates a powerful sense of timelessness within your home, a space that honours where you've been — the cherished memories and inherited legacies — and celebrates where you’re going — your evolving style, new aspirations, and future chapters.
A few inspiring ideas:
Pair a beautiful vintage writing desk with a sleek, contemporary chair, reflecting a dialogue between past and present productivity, thought, and creativity.
Use a rustic antique vessel from our latest collection as a planter for a strikingly sculptural modern piece of foliage, creating an immediate and captivating contrast in textures and eras.
Place old family photos or cherished historical prints in clean, modern frames — a poignant visual metaphor for blending heritage with new beginnings, celebrating lineage alongside contemporary life.
At Few & Far, this is the story we are most passionate about helping you tell. We believe your home should be a reflection of your soul, a living narrative of your travels, your tastes, and the unique layers of your life.
Ready to start your journey on the art of the mix? Our ever-evolving collection at Few & Far offers the perfect foundation for creating your timeless, layered home. Discover newly arrived vintage items that are brimming with soul, ready to add depth and character to your space.Â
Keep an eye out for a new collection launching very soon Collected. Curated. Crafted. 08.07.2025.
Explore our range of contemporary foundations – from elegant sofas to sleek dining tables – designed to beautifully complement your unique finds. And don't forget our comprehensive collection of styling accessories, from vases and lamps to soft furnishings, all chosen to help you bridge eras and create a cohesive, captivating narrative.
Looking for Help Curating the Mix?
Creating a space that effortlessly blends old and new is an art, and our team of Interior Designers and Stylists are here to guide you. We specialise in blending diverse elements to create something truly one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s one room or an entire home, we can help you tell your story through thoughtful design.
