Family heirlooms bring instant character and meaning to a room,” says Jamie Merida of Jamie Merida Interiors. “The key is balance; fresh fabrics, updated finishes and layered textures help old and new work together seamlessly.” In a Middleburg dining room, his colleague Melanie Donohue enlivened cherished antiques with Schumacher window treatments and a plaid Kaleen rug. PHOTO: Stylish Productions

Heirloom Variety

How to incorporate vintage pieces in a dining room

By HOME & DESIGN

Ann Gottlieb, IIDA, LEED AP, ID+C, Ann Gottlieb Design

An heirloom or vintage piece has to tie in with the design, even in a vague way. Perhaps there’s a color, texture or pattern that complements the piece. Testing and trial and error are my secrets!

anngottliebdesign.com, 571-771-9357

Photo: Angela Newton Roy Photography

Hannah Goldberg, Hannah Charlotte Interiors

Mixing new and old is all about balance and intention. I always begin by listening to the story behind the object. If a piece carries deep personal resonance, it becomes part of the dining room’s narrative. My role is to balance sentiment with design integrity. Sometimes a beloved piece becomes the anchor. Other times, if the scale or style feels at odds, we’ll honor it in a quieter way.

hannahcharlotteinteriors.com

Photo: Jenn Verrier Photography

Sarita Simpson, Interior Matter

We like for decorative objects and artwork to feel collected rather than plucked out of a catalog. For a collected, soulful space it’s important to include one-of-a-kind family pieces and older finds. We encourage clients to think outside of the box about pieces they already own, allowing us to get creative as we incorporate them.

interiormatter.com, 202-900-3818

Suzanne Manlove, Manlove And Company Interiors

We love working with beloved heirloom pieces. Reupholstering dining chairs with contemporary fabric is a great way to give new life to treasured pieces. If an heirloom is too worn, we may tap a restoration expert to refinish, paint or replace the hardware to make it feel current and sit seamlessly alongside new furnishings.

manloveandco.com, 703-520-2125

Catherine Troxell, Grace Thomas Designs

Some clients want to actively use an heirloom while others want it purely for display. We discuss the significance of the piece and talk through the options. We don’t want to force an heirloom into a design unless it makes sense.

gracethomasdesigns.com

Photo: Stacy Zaring Goldberg