The Beauty of Contrast: Modern Lighting in Traditional Rooms

There are more types of lighting available than ever today, from both stylistic and functional points of view. When considering which style, material or illumination source to use, remember that good lighting is an absolutely essential ingredient in the look, feel and function of a room.

If your taste in interiors leans toward the traditional, don’t let that stop you from using modern light fixtures. A strategically placed table, floor, wall or pendant lamp can completely transform a room, and an unexpectedly modern piece of lighting in a traditional setting can transform the entire space. Here are some tips for how to make it work.

1. Repeat finishes. The brass stem of this desk lamp is repeated in the painted trim of the antique desk; the lamp is a modern yet classic sculptural accent in this vignette.


2. Add a subtle modern touch. A basket-weave pendant light subtly adds a modern yet rustic touch to this traditional girls’ bedroom.


3. Repeat shapes. In this classically proportioned vestibule, a modern pendant light with a simple outline form echoes the circular shape of the room while reinforcing the room’s understated look.



4. Dress up casualness with elegance. An elegant brass wall lamp brings a modern feel to the casual bohemian vibe of this space.


5. Mix earthy with industrial. A sculptural, mechanical-looking task lamp lends a modern industrial edge to the refined earthiness of this neutral bedroom.


6. Add a dash of modern whimsy. Drum-shade pendant lights with a bright and playful foliage pattern add a fresh, whimsical touch to this all-white traditional kitchen


7. Create a graphic focal point. In this colonial-style bedroom, the graphically simple round wood base and rectangular shade of the table lamp provide a modern counterpoint.


8. Introduce structure to a relaxed space. A modern rectilinear pendant lamp with exposed framework provides a structural element to contrast the relaxed feel of this eclectically traditional bedroom.

See more ways to mix decorating styles

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