Your interiors tell a story about your life, where you have been, where you are going. Whether minimal or traditional, great interiors capture your personality. Our clients come to us looking for architecture and interior design that has a laid back luxe quality, rooms that feel lived in, yet showcase their curated collections of beautiful furniture, art and objects. I often get asked how to achieve a laid back luxe look. So I thought I would provide a few simple steps to mixing modern and traditional:
Modern Architecture with mostly Traditional furniture – Our favorite combo I must admit. Many of our clients own contemporary homes, either modernist architecture from the 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s or new contemporary architecture. The minimal envelope, with often high ceilings and lots of glass, create a fantastic backdrop for traditional interiors. Much like an art gallery, the modern architecture offsets the soft curves and carved details of antiques and collectibles. To tie the interiors together, we usually try to keep to one neutral palette of whites, muted beiges, grays, browns and black.
Classic Architecture (think decorative moldings and parquet flooring) paired with Modern furniture – How to achieve the signature Scandinavian design that is all over Instagram and Pinterest. Well, the tricky part is the envelope, that gorgeous 18th or 19th Century apartment with soaring ceilings and wall panelings, moldings and herringbone floors… If you do have access to a space with some of these qualities, we suggest contrasting that old world faded glory with interesting, distinctive modern furniture and objects. It can get heavy with antiques in an richly ornate environment, much like it feel cold with modern furniture in a minimal modern home.
To achieve a confident mix of new and old, you need to break some “rules”. Treat your antiques casually, with a little disrespect. Mix’em in. Use a minimal palette, whether light or dark, to create an overarching mood. 
Lastly, make a couple of bold statements. A few carefully created vignettes will give your interior a real kick. Modern art, sculpture, found objects – display them with purpose.
Mixing Modern and Traditional is not for everyone. Personally it has always been my style. Maybe because I am Swedish and we are casual, even in our pursuit of perfection. Maybe because I grew up around French and Italian art collectors, who seemed to just throw their houses together with a wonderful panache. Whatever the reason, I try to give my clients that laid back, casual luxe feeling at home. You can achieve the look with a few simple tweaks – and a heaping of confidence!
Interiors by , Joseph Dirand, Atelier AM, Vincent Van Duysen, Gilles et Boissier, Casanova Bjorlin
