My friends Jenn and Brandon are going from a Nashville downtown condo to a new, custom house in Historic East Nashville (designed by my favorite architect, David Baird). He has more modern taste, and she is more traditional. They worry that this will be the inevitable married couple tug-of-war. Not me! I am very intrigued and inspired by the very idea of “mixing modern with traditional”.   Below are some very cool idea starters that I put together for them, along with some of their reactions.

Starting with more contemporary:  There is always the “Scandanavian” style furniture, which just has rich curves and lots of wood.  Feels more warm and fuzzy then your usual modern fare…..

They both liked this one.

Working in a little more traditional forms…..

Jenn loved this one.

Now adding some organic forms, but finished in rustic woods, rusts and linens…..

…old maps and leathers…..

Brandon loved the map as a wallpaper.  Both loved the leather.

Another thought:  Paint super-traditional furniture a chic dark blue-grey, set against light walls…..

Jenn loved this one.

And now for the bedroom…..

Jenn loved this one too.  Brandon was intrigued.  Stay tuned…..

(1) 3rd Uncle Design, via Condos, Lofts and Apartments

(2) Julia Edlemann and Alison Besikof, Buckingham Interior Design, via Chicago Home + Garden

(3) and (4) Gabby Deeming, via House & Garden

(5) via Elle Decoration UK

(6) Debra Cronin, via Vogue Living Australia