The Art of Blending Historic and Contemporary Design

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Crafting the perfect interior often means mixing the old with the new, writes Mandi Keighran

When it comes to interiors, considered contrast between dramatically different styles and eras can work like magic. The period charm of an ornate historic property, for example, is artfully emphasized when juxtaposed with bold, minimalist furniture; the nostalgic appeal of a vintage find becomes all the more apparent when paired with cutting-edge technology; and contemporary artworks set amidst antique furnishings throws the unique beauty of each period into stark relief. In short, it’s all about creating moments that surprise and delight. 

Just ask London-based designer Sarah Peake, founder of Studio Peake, who is known for crafting richly layered interiors with unexpected details, and combining modern and traditional style with joyful abandon. “It’s objects that contrast or jar slightly which bring a room to life,” Peake explains. “It might be a lovely tonal scheme but it’s not finished until you throw in that final oversized lamp or big piece of contemporary art.”

Stratford Place, a handsome, heritage-listed townhouse in London’s prestigious Marylebone —which is currently being offered by United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty—is a remarkable case in point. The original home dates back to the 1770s, and the current owners undertook a full refurbishment when they moved in. The awe-inspiring spaces and exquisite period details—including intricate cornicing and ceiling molding, a grand stair and floor-to-ceiling windows—have been restored, and are complemented with bold contemporary finishes, sculptural lighting and plenty of modern amenities. As prominent collectors, the owners also set striking contemporary art against the period backdrop. 

“Stratford Place has a real ‘wow’ factor and is a great example of a home that retains its historic integrity and period charm, while being up to date with modern standards of living,” says the agent, Zach Madison. “When people buy a heritage home like this, they are effectively buying a piece of history. Adding contemporary design features while preserving the period character celebrates that history in a modern way.”

The Solarium Penthouse at 555 West End Avenue, New York, meanwhile, is another impressive showcase of how a historic building can be transformed through a contemporary reimagining. The property is a former private school, completed in 1908, and has been meticulously restored and updated by local architecture firm Tamarkin Co. to accommodate 13 luxury residences. The penthouse is a study in how the architecture of historic buildings can be elevated to breathtaking effect, most notably in the original school gymnasium, which has been reimagined as a dramatic living space with soaring 20 ft-high ceilings punctuated by a new steel-framed skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows.

While Stratford Place celebrates bold color and unexpected texture, The Solarium takes a different approach with an elegant palette of neutral tones and natural materials that evokes the popular minimalist design trend “Japandi”—a portmanteau of Japanese and Scandinavian.

It’s a subtle yet dramatic approach, similar to that taken by British architecture practice Bindloss Dawes, which is also known for its sensitive modernization of period buildings. “When transforming heritage properties, we should be mindful of a building’s past, protecting them for future generations, but also making them vibrant and freshly relevant for our time,” says director George Dawes. “This requires a thoughtful balance, at once preserving the essence of the historic fabric while infusing it with innovative design that resonates with modern life.” 

Properties such as these show how combining historic and contemporary styles can be a catalyst for dramatically different results—but always with the element of surprise that the balance between old and new creates.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s