Shiny Objects: Modernizing Antique Furniture
For the past few years, I’ve been drawn to shiny objects, in the form of art, trays, mirrors, wall hangings; anything that can break up a bunch of flat, non-light reflecting building materials. This is sort of an extension of my obsession with mirrors as art; shiny, light reflecting objects fill a void in a room without being too visually distracting by adding other colors or patterns that might compete with your design scheme. Rather, they simply reflect what is around them, but in a gorgeous, light refracting way.
This can be especially impactful in a room with flat materials, like my apartment in Zurich. There is no sheen to the floors, the countertops, the walls, or any other building materials in the space. So when you add something shiny and light reflecting, it pops in the most delightful way, especially when used sparingly. I’m always on the hunt for interesting objects that can add light and personality to my space. Especially in winter. The darker it gets outside, the more we tend to crave surfaces that reflect light and bounce it around the room, both during dark days and even darker nights.
It is also a simple and effective way to modernize an antique piece of furniture. Rooms are always more interesting when you incorporate pieces from different time periods or have contrasting features. I’ve been imagining what to pair with this Biedermeier piece below, and I think I’ve found what I’m looking for in the shiny wall hanging by Danish artist, Caia Leifsdotter. See what I’ve done below to illustrate this.
For the example above, I’ve added the Psychedelic Mirror from Danish artist Caia Leifsdotter to this antique chest, which modernizes the vignette. I love the contrast of the very modern take on a mirror with the antique Biedermeier chest. If you want to further the point of old and new, you could also add modern sconces to either side of the chest.
It’s a bit unexpected and playful, which makes it interesting and fun. I personally love the contrast of old and new. If you have some spaces in your home that need refreshing or modernising, try adding something contrasting to what is already in the space. If your space is colorful, add some tone on tone or white to the space. If your surfaces are dull, add sheen. If your scene is monochrome, add one accent colored piece. And if you have many antiques, add some modern pieces to the space. It makes the room feel alive!
A great place to shop for pieces like this are the design fairs in Milan and Copenhagen, but you can also find many interesting objects in a good museum store. Of course, all of the trends eventually trickle down to the big box stores. This can be a good way to venture outside your comfort zone without over spending. Just make sure this is done in moderation. And remember: Edit Edit Edit!!
