three looks, one accent chest

Accent Chests are a great addition to your space if you are limited on storage or are looking for a focal point to display various decor items! Purchasing new furniture as our taste evolves can often feel daunting or financially restrictive but changing out accessories like art, lamps, and greenery are simple changes that can completely change the look of your space.

If you took a quiz titled “What’s my design style?”, like most of us, you would find that your style isn’t narrowed to one. This is where you can become truly creative in designing your own space. For example, one of my favorite looks is when I use a modern painting on an antique chest, throw in a modern lamp, and use unique, one-of-a-kind antique pieces, mixed with a few modern pieces for my accessories. 

Here, I’ve taken an antique chest and styled it three different ways to show you that there is a chance that you may be able to use some of your current accessories across multiple styles and that your piece has more versatility than you think!

TRADITIONAL

Traditional style consists of 18th and 19th century European influences and is often composed of warm, rich woods, jewel tones, and classic pieces of art. Neutral color palettes and symmetry dominate a design centered around comfort. Keeping this in mind, I chose several gold accessories that tie in the gold from the frame but still allow the art to be the star of the show.

ECLECTIC

Mixing pieces from different time periods or styles can make for an interesting, unique-to-you space! However, doing Eclectic right means designing with intention and curating pieces that are special to you. An ‘anything-goes’ attitude will make your space feel chaotic. Old or new, one thing to remember is to make sure there is some sort of flow to it all, whether it’s a color that is scattered throughout, a mixing of textiles, or simply that the scale of everything makes sense. For example, I paired a Buddha from my travels in Thailand with an antique lantern, handmade footed planter, and contemporary lamp and art and the finished look is simple, yet interesting.

contemporary

Contemporary is ever-evolving and consists of more current design trends. Contemporary now and the contemporary of 10 years ago vs. 10 years from now all look different. What you’ll find as current in contemporary design are neutral color palettes, a hint of minimalism, and focuses on functionality and comfort over form. With this look, I paired the abstract art with neutral accessories and it softens the overall look of the chest, leaving the space feeling light and airy.

For some time now, clean lines, modern and mid-century modern furniture styles have dominated the design scheme. I believe those are here to stay, however an upscale look that is truly heading our way, is the mix of the antiques with the modern. Where clean surfaces and limited accessories have been the trend for years, decadence is on its way back in like a force of nature. The exciting thing about all of this, is that once you’ve chosen the foundation (your favorite accent chest), you can easily make changes to your art, lamp, and accessories with ease.