“The more juxtaposition there is between modern and classic, the better the design.” ~ Ksenya Malina, Time & Place Interiors
Designers source architectural details from Olde Good Things for the authenticity and craftsmanship of our pieces. But it’s not always easy to balance the marriage of original antiques and contemporary needs. The personalized efficiency with which our salvage experts ease the process of blending fine architectural salvage into contemporary designs is another reason designers add us to their preferred lists.
In our recent interview with New York design studio Time & Place Interiors, founder Ksenya Malina discusses how she brings value to a space by incorporating authentic architectural elements into a modern setting and how this philosophy positively impacts the world of contemporary design.
“Time & Place Interiors” Vision
Ksenya Malina began her journey into the interior design world nonchalantly, as if by fate. The catalyst was a renovation of her own pre-war 1939 Art Deco apartment. The space contained many original features that modern renovations didn’t accommodate. “So, I introduced a little bit of it back and, since then, I’ve been on a mission to create authenticity in my clients’ interior design projects,” Malina said. “I love it when things that look traditional actually are original antiques. And when pieces look modern, they have a truly contemporary edge.”
Malina became intrigued by how original architectural details can be combined with contemporary furnishings in a historic space. Her early work supporting another designer was a lesson in this design philosophy. Here she began to understand the alchemy of mixing old with new to create the ideal blend of authenticity and functionality.
“I discovered that the permanent structure of a space should be either of the time period or at least in line with the historic style,” Malina explained. What she found was that permanent fixtures, such as metalwork and plumbing, create a solid authenticity to a space, whereas furnishings, accessories, and decor can be much more flexible.
“I started going down a deep rabbit hole of architectural salvage and was amazed by the breadth and quantity of beautiful original house parts.”
Malina describes her design style as leaning towards modern, but over time, it has evolved into a more eclectic feel. “The more juxtaposition there is between modern and classic, the better the design is,” Malina said.
Authentic Details Elevate Interior Design
Malina believes that incorporating special, high-quality details in interior design elevates the entire space. “Lighting, hardware, and metalwork are jewelry for the home. They show that somebody had an eye to finish it to the last detail, that it wasn’t just a brushstroke fast application,” Malina said.
The resulting impact isn’t just visual, she explained. It incorporates all the senses, especially touch. “The things you touch with your hand… like door knobs or bath accessories are important to have solid, high-end quality. It makes a real difference.”
“Lighting also transforms a space. It’s not just the output of the light; the fixture itself is the cherry on top. If you have beautiful lighting in your home, it’s like dressing it up with style you can’t get with nearly anything else.”
Despite the challenges of working with original historic architectural details, Malina is convinced that this design philosophy weaves value into the arrangement that justifies the effort. “What’s worth it about it is that it’s authentic, right? It’s actually from the time period that the house or the building was designed in. And the reward is not just how much better it looks, but also the intrinsic feeling of authenticity, doing true justice to the era of the space.“
Why Source From Architectural Specialists?
Aside from the authentic look and feel of historic architectural details and the longevity of such pieces, designers and others passionate about historic craftsmanship choose to work with experts on their projects to meet the inevitable challenges of the work. The process can be demanding, from matching antique door hardware and sizing structural additions to configuring antique lighting made in Europe to accommodate mechanical discrepancies in the United States.
Malina was drawn to source pieces from Olde Good Things because, in her own words, it is one of the best sources in the market. “Not just because of what you guys have in the Scranton warehouse and in your showrooms, but also because your online presence stands out among architectural salvage stores. There are so many items online, and they’re fairly easy to search, so it makes sourcing through you efficient.”
She continued, “I’ve found that having a personal contact at an architectural salvage store, like the friendly and helpful folks in the Olde Good Things door hardware department, is an amazing resource. They work alongside me, so that I’m not on my own but instead can turn to the experts for advice on the mechanics of fit and construction.“
While many people assume that designing with new fabrications is going to be the easier way, Malina advised that it isn’t necessarily the case. New items frequently arrive damaged, with missing parts, or are back-ordered. The support offered by a big box retailer to address problems falls far short of the personalized support offered by a small vendor specialist, who can walk you through how to adjust, restore, or re-select. “I’m not of the mindset anymore that buying new is always simpler,” she said.
Design Choices and Special Details
Malina’s own project involved what she calls a “typical Pre-War apartment.” The front door she inherited came with cheap hardware, including a plastic peephole painted gold. It was also covered in multiple decades of paint layers. She had the door stripped to its original bare metal, and instead of repainting, decided to leave it in its raw industrial state. After considering the result, she decided the hardware needed to be elevated, “befitting our beautiful, newly restored door.”
From Olde Good Things, Malina sourced a 1930s brass doorknob, matching the original knobs that other units in the building retained, and paired it with a matte chrome Art Deco backplate and thumbturn lock. It was a collaborative project with the Olde Good Things hardware specialist in the Scranton warehouse, who advised Malina on the doorknob fit and walked her through a trial-and-error process.
She also needed a more elegant peephole cover and found a vintage back plate, originally designed for placement behind a door knob, also from Olde Good Things. It was Art Deco-inspired, with a verdigris teal patina that had developed on the copper over time.
These hardware finds matched both the front door and also blended into the overall scheme of the apartment’s design. “The hardware on my interior doors is contemporary, but they have an Art Deco flair as well. And they’re also dual-toned brass and chrome, like the vintage fixture on my front door.“
In her bedrooms, Malina had sets of bifold closet doors that she also wanted to dress up. “Through Olde Good Things, I located beautiful vintage Belgian cabinet knobs from the 1940s. They have lovely scalloped back plates and heavy clear glass spheres. They feel solid in the hand, and they’re a really nice touch on my new closets.”
She also stripped the antique radiators in all the rooms, down to the original metal. In the kitchen, where the original radiator cover no longer fit, she sourced a large antique cold air grille from an architectural salvage provider.
Malina’s design vision of allowing a space to evolve, with historic elements and contemporary edginess complementing each other, is a lesson for all those passionate about preserving authenticity. With the right focus on architectural details to elevate a space, this vision can translate into a solid realization of classic distinction.
Find more little details that will add distinction to your project vision in our gallery of inventory or reach out to our specialists to help you locate your special details.
