Beautifully Blend Antique with Modern Décor.

By contrasting styles, like modern decor and rustic decor, you can achieve a truly unique look.

By mixing antique pieces with modern décor, you can create just the right balance of shape, texture and style. But if done haphazardly, the result can look disorganized and messy. So before you begin, decide on the overall look you’re going for — modern with antique accents or vice versa? Minimalist or shabby chic? Do you have a color theme? Then, keeping your goals in mind, here are a few ideas to help get you started:

• Pair a contemporary glass dining room table with an elaborate mirror or crystal chandelier.

• Contrast modern décor with Oriental rugs.

• Highlight rustic furniture with an antique coffee table or wall décor.

• Group similar vintage items on a mantel, shelf, desk or end table.

• Hang minimalist artwork above an antique chaise lounge or vintage photos in a modern setting.

• Combine a rustic table with aluminum chairs or a mahogany desk with an angular office chair.

• Place antique stools next to a marble kitchen countertop or plush, vintage chairs near a contemporary sofa.

• Cover an old regency chair in modern fabric.

• Consider modern decor like furniture against vintage wallpaper or vintage shelving with subway tiles.

• Highlight a retro checkerboard floor with whites and neutrals.

• Add modern shades on your windows.

A good rule of thumb when combining antique with modern décor is to use the 80/20 rule. So if the majority of your décor is contemporary, you could fill the remaining 20 percent with smaller accents like vintage maps, leather-bound books or a grandfather clock. The best overall look feels as if it has evolved naturally over the years.