High/Low Interiors: Designing with a Creative Blend of Old and New

Some of our most rewarding projects don’t start with blank slates. They begin with a question:
“What can we keep?”

It’s a question rooted in practicality, yes. But it is also in memory, meaning, and sustainability. At J. Myers + Associates, we’ve come to embrace what’s often referred to as high/low design: the art of mixing refined new elements with beloved vintage finds, heirlooms, or well-made existing pieces that still have life left in them.

Whether we’re working with family antiques, thrifted treasures, or simply reimagining an existing room on a reasonable budget, this approach invites both creativity and care. Because great design doesn’t always come from starting over. It often comes from seeing what’s already there and helping it shine.

What Is High/Low Design?

High/low is a phrase used to describe interiors that combine different levels of investment—mixing more luxurious or custom elements with affordable, existing, or vintage ones. But in our studio, it means something even deeper.

It’s about curation. It’s about honoring what a client already owns and choosing what to keep, what to update, and what to add with intention. It’s about making room for both design and emotion.

Sometimes, that means we’re working with antiques that have been passed down through generations. Other times, it’s a mix of consignment finds, estate sale scores, or simply well-built pieces our clients already own. Sometimes it means altering pieces to fit the space better — like the time we added additional height to a console table with added turned legs. Either way, our goal is to help every space feel personal and complete – to reflect the lives of the people who live there.

The Emotional Side of the Process

In many cases, clients come to us after a season of change: a move, a renovation, or even a loss.

One such project involved a long-time client who had recently lost her husband. She wasn’t looking to start over. She was looking to reconnect with her home. The bedroom suite, once dark and heavy, felt too somber. But the large furniture pieces were high-quality and held meaning. So we worked together to refresh rather than replace: painting the case goods in soft, light tones like antique white and pale teal, reimagining the bedding in feminine block prints, and layering in soft textures that still stood up to her two large dogs.

It was about comfort, not just style. Familiarity, not just function. And the result was a room that felt like an uplifting new chapter in her life.

When Heirlooms Need a Second Life

We’ve also worked with clients who want to incorporate family heirlooms into their homes, but the pieces don’t quite “fit” as-is.

In one case, we worked with a set of antique dining chairs and a sideboard that had been passed down through the family. Rather than replace them, we embraced them. The chairs were reupholstered in updated, cheerful fabrics that felt relevant to the client’s style. We removed a worn area rug and painted a new updated color to brighten the space. And suddenly, the room didn’t feel “old.” It felt lived in, loved, and balanced.

In the adjacent living room, the sofa had seen better days (the cat had made sure of that), but a simple slipcover gave it a fresh look. Two dining chairs were repurposed as side chairs, updated with new fabric backs and velvet seats. The walls were painted, floors refinished, and the entire space took on a lighter, more welcoming energy. Sometimes, living and dining rooms don’t have consistent use in today's lifestyles. So being aware of how to make them look refreshed but keeping value in mind is part of the client exploration process … 

All of it was done with intention. None of it required starting over.

When Budget Drives the Conversation

Of course, there are also practical reasons to take a high/low approach.

Not every project comes with a limitless budget. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or experience.

In many homes, we’ve reupholstered rather than replaced, and repainted case goods instead of ordering new ones. Sometimes, even raising the legs on a dresser or headboard can make all the difference in proportion, presence, and practicality.

Yes, refinishing, reupholstering, and repurposing require time and investment. But when done well, and supported by a trusted network of artisans, they result in pieces that feel custom, considered, and completely unique to the home.

Our Role as Curators

One of the things we love most about this process is acting as a curator—not just a designer.

We walk through a client’s existing home and make note of what should stay. We take photos, measurements, and keep those pieces in mind as we develop the overall plan. Sometimes, we build the design around them. Other times, we make space for them at the end. But they’re never forgotten.

In one project, we designed an entire color palette around an inherited rug. In another current project, we are working with a local upholsterer to give new life to a carved rocking chair that is complete with lion head arms. It has been in storage for years. The fabric we selected for the upholstery is a bit unexpected, fresh, and just bold enough to let the piece become a conversation starter.

These moments aren’t just “design wins.” They’re personal victories – for the client, for the history, and for the home.

The Sustainable Side of High/Low

There’s another bonus to this approach: it’s deeply sustainable.

Reusing what you have, especially when those pieces are well built and meaningful, is one of the most environmentally conscious design decisions you can make. Upholstery is a great option to consider. You could even redesign the arm, the style of the legs or skirt, or the cushion configuration. These aren’t pieces headed for a landfill. They’re made better, meant to last longer, and they hold stories that mass-produced items simply can’t replicate.

Good design is always thoughtful. Great design is also responsible.

Final Thoughts

High/low design is about more than blending price points or aesthetics. It’s about embracing what’s real: the mix of old and new, the practical and emotional, the lived-in and the just-arrived.

At J. Myers + Associates, these details matter. They ground the home in memory and meaning. And when blended with new, custom, or collected pieces, they help create a space that feels timeless, personal, and truly one-of-a-kind.

If you're ready to refresh your home – not by starting over, but by building on what you love – we’d love to help.

Reach out here to begin the conversation.