Design Obsession: Modern Art + Traditional Furnishings

I’ve decided I want to start a new series called alllll about my design obsessions. Oftentimes I’ll notice a trend and go down a rabbit hole of pictures and inspo. I can sometimes spend hours looking up inspiration images and ways to get the look. This is one such rabbit hole!

For the past couple weeks (months actually…) I’ve been loving the look of modern art with more traditional interiors. The juxtaposition of antique furniture with a cool piece of non-objective art (meaning it isn’t intended to resemble a person or thing) hung above is so beautiful. It looks so dang chic! It adds a freshness and youthfulness to traditional interiors that could otherwise feel a little stale. Pairing a sleek modern painting with a Queen Anne style table, instantly elevates the super traditional table. If you, like me, have inherited some family furniture heirlooms, this is the perfect way to add some youthfulness to the look.

I’ve collected some of my favorite Pinterest pins and explained what makes them work. What are your thoughts? Would you pair modern art with a traditional piece of furniture?

1// Texture and Moulding

I have admired Josh Young’s artwork for a very, very long time. He has a knack for pairing his super modern paintings with the most stunning antiques. He sticks to a pretty strict color palette of grays, whites, creams, gold, and wood. The result is nothing short of perfection.

2// Old and New, Blue and White

This is such a playful take on the traditional blue and white antique jars! I love the juxtaposition of the antique ginger jars with the same color scheme on the modern artwork. It feels unexpected, but it works!

3// Line Drawing on Wallpaper

These line drawings of flowers pair perfectly with the more ornate wallpaper. The console table below has the slightest bit of decoration, but it works because of the clean silhouette of the piece.

4// Layers of Pattern and Texture

This piece is another textural piece, but in a completely different setting. A Glass of Bovino layered it with wallpaper, mouldings, an antique desk and accessories. The simple white artwork gives your eye a breather from all the visual stimulus, but is still show-stopping.

5// A Soothing Palette with a Touch of Modern

I am obsessed with this living room. The color palette is soothing: cream, white, black and dusty blue. The sofa is pretty traditional, along with the end table and console table. The modern art between the mouldings adds just the right amount of modern edge.

6// A Touch of Black Adds Depth

I love a black door obviously…I painted all of our doors black. The small black modern painting coordinates with the black door. Both of these add depth to an otherwise very light color palette.

7// Modern Canvas with Antique Console

I love a painting that is basically large swaths of color on a white canvas. It seems simple on first glance, but does require skill. Pair it with a very ornate console table and everything feels more designed and upscale.

8// Parisian-Inspired with a Twist

I love the look of a fireplace with modern artwork above. The fact that this is an antique stone fireplace takes it to the next level! This feels like it belongs in a chic Paris apartment.

9// French Antiques and Scale

The combination of the ornate, antique desk with the massive canvas makes for some serious drama. The large scale of the painting allows the painting to hold its own against the visual weight of the desk. Layer in some tulips and a couple black accessories? Done…love it!