Many of our design projects deal with infusing old buildings with modern style and function. We are constantly looking for ways to bridge the gap between old and new - to compliment and contrast the unique beauty of each. Ideally, the result is one that generates a new way of using the space and an updated aesthetic that is decidedly modern but completely harmonious with its more traditional components.
Over the last four years we have had the creative pleasure of helping a friend to design new interior spaces for her pristinely restored Victorian. Once again we were presented with the challenge of merging traditional and modern architecture. While choosing a backsplash material for her kitchen, we came across a perfect tile, one that speaks to “old” and “new” in a poetic way. Stainless steel penny rounds – a traditional type of tile from the days of our Great Grandmothers’ bathrooms, yet made of a truly modern material that conjures images of shiny machinery and industrial lofts!
It is rare that a single material comes around that speaks to “old” and “new” in such a significant way. Although these pennies cost a pretty penny, a small amount went a long way in bringing the modern materials of the kitchen together, while at the same time, offering a familiar glimpse into the lives and stories associated with homes of this era.
Tierney Conner Design Studio
