The Mix

If you have been reading my blog a while, you know that I talk a lot about "the right mix of old and new".  The collected look is what many of us are after when it comes to decorating our homes.  Cottage Living magazine, RIP, always struck the right balance for me.  These images were all taken years ago yet they still have that "current" look.  I'll bet that ten years from now, they will too.
What keeps this breakfast nook from being too "style specific"?  The worn and chipped hutch, a collection of aqua and green pottery (before aqua was the craze), a ghost chair, textured window shades, a modern table on casters, vintage prints, and flooring.  When a wall is painted white, it never goes out of style.

What about this dining room?  The furniture alone reads traditional.  The modern lighting and the vintage prints displayed in modern frames provide a balance.  The white walls keep it all fresh.

Here is another combination that stirs my soul: rustic, modern, and traditional.  The light floors, the exposed rustic beams, lots of texture with lighting, wall art, and baskets,  a faintlybluegreen sideboard, traditional chairs chairs styled up in modern fashion.  And once again - white walls to keep it fresh.
Here is another case of old meets new - a retrofitted sink table, ribbon trim on shades and shower curtain made in modern linen print, textured window shade, vintage hardware, utilitarian storage, and the floor and wall tile.

I could go on and on about "the mix".  What about you - do you like it too?  Would you like to see more? 

 I am joining my friend Nita Stacy for Mod Mix Monday.

26 comments:

  1. You're right, the breakfast nook is timeless. A great collection of rooms to illustrate your point :) Hope your week is off to a good start. Nicolex

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love, love that first image- Perfection!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Classic and timeless - all your points are right on!! I love Lee's dining room.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think this is something you do so well (that tension I mentioned-- you just said it better!) And nothing Cottage ever did was dated-- I still get out my backissues monthly and just linger over them. And I buy the ones I don't have off of Ebay. My husband thinks I'm nuts.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post! White walls with a perfect mix of new/old-- timeless! Take care, Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  6. Melissa, tell your husband that someone else still goes through the old issues too. Me :) I need to start searching ebay for ones I've missed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes, the mix is so important! whether it's old with new, a little french with country etc. All of one look looks too much like someone went to the store and bought the room! great post :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. that first image totally sings to me- it's perfect. i also love a good mix and balance of old and new.. something about it just makes me happy and relaxed.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh yes, please. Love the mix of styles, that to me means true timelessness. I so miss Cottage Living and wish it'd come back. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I wouldn't have it any other way either, Rene. Love a mix of furnishings and accessories.
    Love your selections.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing! The right mix of old and new makes your place a home and not just a show house! Timeless!!
    Blessings!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. These are perfect examples for my Mod Mix Monday Party. I love em.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love this mix, and definitely would enjoy seeing more of it! Its the perfect way to enjoy vintage without looking like a museum.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Rene-

    I, too miss Cottage Living. I wish I had the foresight to have saved all the back issues so I could still get inspired by all the great ideas packed in every issue.

    My best- Diane

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful collection of images! I agree that the successful mix of styles is what makes these rooms classic and not easily dated. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I completely agree, Rene! It's all in the mix!

    I'd love to get your take on mixing prints, specifically. What's your advise for combining prints?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Rene...you know I am all about "the mix"!!! I love all of those images and wish someone would start a Cottage Living e-zine!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It is amazing that so many items in these pics are still desirable and in style and simply supports your theory of a good mix never goes out of style. I have longed for that Holly Hunt light fixture for years, aqua is so trendy now as we all know and that basket/macrame chandelier is right on trend.

    Great informative post

    ReplyDelete
  19. These are great, I especially love the mix of old and new, so much potential with all of these. I miss Cottage Living as well. :(

    ReplyDelete
  20. I was heartbroken, HEARTBROKEN, when Cottage Living went out of print. Even more so than Domino, dare I say it.

    Your description of the mix is spot on, I think. I love what you said about white walls. And I am absolutely pinning that dining room with the baskets. Stirs the soul is right!
    Camille

    ReplyDelete
  21. I couldn't agree more!
    I still have all my old issues of Cottage Living. (and Country Home and Domino.....)
    :D - Cindi
    (visiting from Nita's Mod Mix!)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I really miss
    Cottage Living.
    As a matter of
    fact, I was looking
    for info about the
    magazine when I first
    stumbled on to blogs....
    who were mourning the
    magazine! So, the
    demise of one favorite
    lead to a whole new
    world of them.
    Happy Monday,
    xx Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  23. Those images are timeless looks. I love an evolving room!
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful images! I love timeless decor, especially when you're like me and can't afford to start over every time a new trend comes along.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the second shot - I am all about mixing the old with the new!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  26. These are gorgeous combinations!! Nothing makes my heart go pitta patta more than a beautifully random composition of furniture! Thanks so much for sharing!!
    Kelle
    xx

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments and read each and every one. Your questions will be answered here or you can email me at cottageandvine@triad.rr.com

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...