Say the word “antique” and you probably make the translation to “old.” So what do you do if an antique piece has captured your imagination but your decorating style is sleek, contemporary and stylish?

Place that antique in your home to imbue it with warmth, personality and character. Once you absorb the transforming influence of one antique piece, you'll want to integrate more. These tips will help you integrate antique pieces into your home.

• Tip No. 1: Free yourself of preconceived decorating notions and use those “old” pieces in new ways. Some people call it “repurposing”; you might call it “creative.”
• Make it happen by using a desk as a bar for antique glasses and bottles; a chest of drawers as a nightstand (or the other way around); a buffet table as a bedroom dresser; or a bedroom bureau to anchor an entryway. Antique dining room chairs can be difficult to round up as a group – but not if you decide to use two or three of them to create a cozy reading nook.
• Tip No. 2: Don't be afraid to reupholster.
• Make it happen by jumping at the opportunity, especially if an antique piece boasts solid construction and finite details but is suffering from a threadbare covering. The owners of the country's top antique stores and auction houses reupholster pieces to rejuvenate them. Add even more aesthetic interest by placing a bold fabric on an understated antique.
• Tip No. 3: Embrace collections.
• Make it happen by restricting a collection to one area (or one piece of furniture or shelving) to negate a common fear among people who are wary of antiques: the fear of turning their home into a cheap flea market. If you like salt and pepper shakers, start a collection on a wall shelf in the kitchen. If antique mirrors have caught your eye, stage them progressively on a wall leading upstairs. And if you're drawn to antique candle holders, you're in luck: they can be grouped virtually anywhere in your home to good effect. The key is to keep the collections in one place, rather than spread throughout your entire home.
• Tip No. 4: Place antiques in unexpected places.
• Make it happen by placing an antique dresser in a bathroom, hanging an antique piece of art over a bed in place of a headboard or putting an antique dining room sideboard in an upstairs hallway. The surprise factor is one compelling motivation; the other is you're likely to appreciate your antique pieces more when they “show up” in unconventional places.

Once you gain confidence about integrating antiques in your home, you'll want to ensure you're placing them in the best light possible – literally.

If you haven't taken a close look at your window shades yet, you'll want to, especially when you know that Polar Shades offers hundreds of fabrics and styles to complement any decorating type. Call 702-260-6110 for a free in-home consultation and see how we can enhance those “old” pieces in exciting, new ways.