Guest Blogger: Nicola Manganello

April 22, 2014

The adage that “everything old is new again” isn’t always true. However, when it comes to classic, distinctive furnishings, some pieces really stand the test of time and deserve our attention.

When turning a new house into a truly custom home, looking to the past can dramatically shape the present. While styles and trends come and go, a thoughtful approach to using the right textures and textiles from today, combined with the best from years ago, can create designs that really resonate. Well-placed “legacy elements” capture an essence that lends a thoughtful nature to any environment.

Without being too literal, these pieces add a style dimension that evokes heirloom, history, and heritage.

nicola manganello

Stones salvaged from the same property on which a home is built adds instant history.

All photos courtesy of Nicola Manganello

nicola manganello

Decades-old gates, doors, and windows are given a new life by being repurposed for beauty and aesthetic impact.

nicola manganello

A custom metal entry divider adds interest and patina to a new space.

When carefully woven together in a room, these older elements don’t distract from more contemporary design. In fact, they do the opposite. New fabrics actually look richer. Hardware appears to have more of a patina. Woods have more luster, more grain.

Vintage suggests a viewpoint. Salvage can surface savvy. Repurposed requires reimagining. Weathered can be wonderful. Regardless of what word you use to describe these unique, seasoned finds they will add some deep roots to the new and differentiate the design.

– Nicola Manganello

Interior Designer Nicola Manganello is known for creating warm and welcoming interiors that blend vintage inspiration and modern elements. Her charming shop—Nicola’s Home is located in Yarmouth, Maine.

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