To learn how to integrate vintage furniture and antiques at home, we turned to Madrid-based designer Tristán Domecq. In addition to running his interiors studio, he also owns a design store brimming with an array of pieces across diverse styles and eras; his discerning eye and impeccable taste make him the go-to for decor advice.
Domecq is fascinated by combining the past with the present and, for him, there is no style that can't be bettered with a little smattering of antique pieces. We often see it in his projects – he studies the history of the house and tries to preserve the original character by recovering moldings, beams… – and also in his furniture selection: always a mix of restored furniture and contemporary design. These are his keys and tips for success:
1. The value of having a trained eye
I think you can always add antiques at home, no matter its style, but it also depends on the style of the antiques. For example, in a modern 21st century house, I would never put a Louis XVI console table. In a super modern house with clean lines, suddenly a good Castilian piece seems very elegant to me. Of course, you have to value the quality of the piece and know how to integrate it in a contemporary environment. There is no exact formula, it comes out by itself, 'the eye is asking for it'. In any case, when something works, there is usually unanimity.
2. Differentiate between antique and old
Sometimes, we believe that we can take advantage of an inherited sofa to save money, and we must assess whether or not it is really worth the hassle, because reupholstering an old sofa is usually more expensive than making a new one. Sometimes, we tend to confuse old pieces for antiques. Just because they are many years old doesn't mean they are good things. I think it's worth keeping the pieces that are in good nick. Then there are things that we are simply very fond of. For these, we will make a place for them in our house: a vignette or a corner, for example.
3. Always mix and match
We like to mix styles, if we talk about putting an antique sofa (I mean a sofa before the twentieth century) then I would mix it with a contemporary coffee table, for example. If we have for example antique dining chairs, I prefer vintage pieces (I understand as vintage pieces from the mid-twentieth century), and I would always reupholster them with a modern fabric.
3. Restore yes, but let the passage of time be noticeable
I believe that antiques should be restored so that they can last at least another hundred years, but only for maintenance purposes and to extend their life. Of course, I do not agree with restoring them to make them look like new. I believe that the grace of having antiques at home is to honour the passage of time and keep that noticeable. If you don't understand this, you should never consider having antique pieces.
4. Trendy antiques
Chests of drawers are undoubtedly gaining prominence. They are the easiest antique pieces to fit in and, as with all antique pieces, there are all styles to place them in any type of home.
5. Antiques that instantly add character
Undoubtedly, craftsmanship brings a lot of character to a space. There are antique clay pieces that are real jewels. And also more sophisticated pieces such as busts or marble sculptures. The trick is to keep your eyes and mind open. A great way to find unique pieces is to visit antique markets wherever you are – be it the place you live in, or where you are traveling. The more you see, the more confidence you will have when it comes to defining your taste and budget.
