Grand Revival
This ornate bedroom takes cues from historic Parisian interiors — intricate plasterwork, gilded mirrors and panelling — but reframes them with a subdued palette and streamlined furniture. The grandeur remains, yet the effect is softened through neutral fabrics and sculptural contemporary lighting. The design cue is reinterpretation, where heritage detailing remains but is tempered with calm surfaces and pared-back furnishings. This approach allows the historic shell to maintain its drama without overwhelming the rest of the decor, thus making heritage liveable and beautifully relevant. stagedtosellhome.com
Enter Here
When faced with ornate heritage architecture, balance it with contemporary gestures. This entryway is layered with grandeur, drawn on centuries of European tradition through marble checkerboard floors, wrought-iron railings and gilded consoles. Yet, the freshness lies in contrast: pared-back white walls and contemporary art prevent the space from slipping into precedent — heightening both eras, instead of competing. The result is a dynamic interplay between past and present, honouring tradition while carving out relevance for today. stagedtosellhome.com
History Lesson
In this kitchen, by Able Moraine (founded by Mika Durrell), timeless craftsmanship and contemporary ease meet finesse. Glazed tiles laid in soft, irregular patterns nod to old-world tactility, while streamlined cabinetry ensures a modern foundation. Still-life artworks in gilded frames hang against the backsplash, lending a sense of history more often reserved for formal spaces. The designers have blurred boundaries by treating the kitchen as not only functional, but also as an extension of the home’s character — proving that a kitchen can carry both utility and heritage.
Well-Studied
This study by River Brook, founded by husband and-wife duo Kevin and Leigh Misso, shows how one antique piece can define a room’s character. A 19th-century French Renaissance desk, hand-carved and sourced from a local antique dealer, anchors the space with weight and history. Antique doors add further gravitas, while the unexpected pairing of a vintage Tulip chair in high-gloss white ensures the room is contemporary. Here, juxtaposition — allowing one hero piece to hold the stage, then offsetting it with modern contrasts — creates a space that is layered, elegant and resolutely liveable. riverbrook.com
A Vintage View
This bathroom celebrates its utilitarian 20th-century origins with small-scale white tiles and simple lines. Rather than erasing history, home stager and designer Jason Saft of Staged to Sell Home, allowed the patina of age to remain part of the story — while the adjoining bedroom introduced warmth and drama. The lesson here is restraint — not every room requires transformation. Sometimes keeping an original framework intact allows heritage to surface authentically.
Neutral Territory
Sculptural furniture and neutral tones ground this space by Studio Osklo, in the present — yet the arrangement pays homage to historic salon-style layouts. Symmetry around a central hearth anchors the space, while curved seating adds softness and informality. The insight here is that heritage need not always mean ornament, sometimes it lies in spatial planning. By drawing on classical arrangements but interpreting them with contemporary shapes and textures, one can create rooms that feel refined yet approachable, timeless yet unmistakably modern.
Purple Reign
This rich burgundy backdrop frames an assemblage of contemporary artworks and an 18th-century French neoclassical sofa. The design lesson is that maximalism can be edited — as seen in the vintage seating, which gains gusto when paired with modern sculptural tables and accessories with clean lines. Here, cohesion lies not in uniformity of style, but in clarity of palette and intention. When thoughtfully composed, disparate periods can create resonance rather than dissonance. stagedtosellhome.com
Hot Chip
A saturated palette of bold red wraps this living space, recalling both mid-century modern experimentation and the enveloping salons of European apartments. Vintage and contemporary collide through a patterned banquette channelling retro flair among sculptural tables and carefully curated objects rooted in modernity. Designed by Jason Saft, the room is reminiscent of a 1970s den, nostalgic in mood yet fresh in execution. By committing fully, from walls to shelves, the past’s theatricality is reinterpreted as a vibrant whole — creating a confident space where eras converse seamlessly. stagedtosellhome.com
In the Balance
Designed and constructed by River Brook, this bedroom is a study in how vintage charm and modern aesthetics can coexist. Walls painted in ‘Off-Black’ by Benjamin Moore and a four-poster bed frame create a cocooning backdrop, while a carved mirror and burlwood chest introduce classicism. ‘The aesthetics of this home seamlessly intertwine the classic allure of 19th-century French antiques with the vibrancy of modern elements,’ notes cofounder Leigh Misso. Strategically placed vintage pieces evoke history, while sleek furnishings, colour contrasts and clean-lined bedding inject a fresh, inviting energy.
Credits
Grand Revival , Enter Here & Vintage View: Photograph: Shannon du Pre, Hayley Ellen Day, Francisco Rosario.
History Lesson: design: Able Moraine; Photograph: Jared Kuzia.
Well-studied: Photograph: Laurey Glenn, Design: Laurey Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett, Mary Bett Jones
Neutral Territory: Photograph: Douglas Friedman.
Hot Chip: Photograph: Hayley Ellen Day
In the Balance: Photograph: Laurey Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett, Bary Bett Jones
This article was originally published in the House & Garden September/October issue
