Recent interior design trends have focused on one primary era or design scheme. Mid-century modern furniture and accents have dominated the magazine covers and home shows as decorators have worked with their clients to bring these design trends for 2021 into their spaces.

Yet, what to do about the beautiful antique chest from your grandma or the dining room table you inherited from your mom? These pieces of history seem to have no place in modern design and have been relegated to storage units and garages over the past decade. Well, it’s time to pull them out again as design trends are moving away from stark modern schemes to a warm, eclectic look.

The main principle in merging design styles is to focus on one unifying element— like warm wood tones or the high sheen of gold accents—and then look for pieces that suit that theme. For example, a gold-gilded mirror with baroque detailing can complement a room filled with neutral furnishings with gold or silver-toned accent pieces. The unifying element is the color and sheen of the mirror. Mix and match your wood antiques with modern furniture of the same kind of wood or hue. Add oriental-style rugs, traditional paintings, and interesting vases against a backdrop of subtle sofas and industrial accents for a unique look.

As with all décor, the room and style should reflect the owner and their lifestyle. Start with a few pieces and look for ways to meld them into your living spaces. There is no reason to reject the past simply to have a stylish home.