on a wall with a bold, modern wallpaper. The unexpected pairing will make the mirror seem new again.” Legras takes the same approach with upholstery, occasionally using contemporary, audacious fabrics on old furniture pieces. At Sylvia T. Designs LLC, owner and artist Sylvia Thompson-Dias will often refinish a piece of furniture. To revitalize a classic look or make a piece more contemporary, she recommends adding a new finish or a touch of gilding to liven it up. She notes that changing your lighting can make a huge a difference as well. Just making subtle changes can sometimes be all you need to fall in love with an item all over again. Penny Francis, principal pesigner and CEO of Eclectic Home, likes to use juxtapositions to breathe new life into antiques and art. “To renew interest, always try pairing an antique with a modern piece of art or a classic piece of art with a very modern piece of furniture,” says Francis. “Baroque with modern — the juxtaposition in these total opposites create interest and conversation.” According to Francis, one of the easiest ways to update artwork is with a new frame. Putting an ornate frame on a piece of artwork that had a streamlined, minimal frame will change the statement it makes, and vice versa. Similarly, an easy way to breathe life into antique furniture is to repaint it or simply change the hardware. And what to do when the love lost is still … well, lost? “I have found that struggling to include a piece that is affecting the entire design and feel of the environment means it is time to say goodbye,” says Francis. When an object is a family heirloom, design experts recommend trying to keep the piece within the family. When that’s not the case,
Lydia Blackmore, decorative arts curator at The Historic New Orleans Collection recommends getting a condition assessment and value appraisal done. “If you are really contemplating getting rid of an object through sale or donation, understanding its value is important,” says Blackmore. “An appraiser can help you research your object and see how it fits in the current marketplace.” When you find out more about the piece, you may find yourself falling back in love. If you have a piece that may have historical value, Blackmore says not to hesitate to reach out to your local museum. When talking to a curator, she recommends having a general idea of its age, when and how it was first acquired by your family, who has owned it between the original owners and yourself (its “provenance”), and why you think it is historically significant. “Even if an object doesn’t fit our collecting parameters, I am always excited to see new things,” says Blackmore. If your unloved antiques and art are not museum quality or perhaps already on display, Blake Erskin recommends considering a donation or sale. When looking to sell, contact an estate sale company or auction house to gather information. “If the client is wanting to donate the piece, Bridge House, Grace House or Habitat for Humanity are good options,” he says. First, though, try giving your love a second chance. The adventure into reviving an item may just be the start to a whole new relationship. And never hesitate to call in the experts — the eyes of a designer may be all the therapy you need to restore your art/antique relationship. By Kelcy Wilburn
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