Amber Lewis shares a peek of her rustic kitchen and dining room – filled with character, both spaces are a lesson in mixing the old and new

As more designers opt for curating spaces with warming, eclectic character, ditching the once-popular minimalist style, the latest looks champion rustic, homely, and eclectic designs that all showcase a unique artisanal quality.

This year's interior design trends have embraced a truly eclectic mix of influences from times gone by, but one designer has long taken inspiration from the past by designing homes filled with antique charm. Amber Lewis, interior designer, and Shoppe Amber Interiors founder, is not afraid to mix styles and creates refreshingly contemporary yet enviably cozy homes that channel her love for vintage.

Most recently, Amber took to Instagram to give us a peek at her home, sharing the details of her transitional kitchen, dining room, and breakfast nook. All three rooms are (of course) beautiful and have made us want to try our hand at mixing the old with the new.

The kitchen

Combining slick marble with warm wood, it's clear that Amber has not been afraid to mix textures and finishes. Reminiscent of the ever-popular modern farmhouse style, Amber has mixed contrasting finishes making the kitchen ideas feel welcoming yet high-end.

Amber took to her blog All Sorts Of to spill the secrets of the design process. 'One of my favorite places in the house is the kitchen', she says. 'I wanted it to be warm, yet spacious and welcoming. I completely transformed this space, trading the crisp white cabinet paint color for a rich, warm brown and the shiny wood floors for rustic brick pavers.'

The mix of old decor and polished finishes creates a cozy yet airy effect (a combination not always easy to perfect). Everything in the kitchen is beautiful, but our eyes first turned to the unexpected kitchen island ideas. With its apothecary style drawers, it feels modern yet old. 'This custom kitchen island is the true centerpiece of the kitchen. Designed for both function and connection, it offers ample space for cooking while doubling as a hub for hanging with the family,' says Amber. Combine this with the characterful table area fitted underneath the island's overhang, it's a clever use of materials, ticking both the functional and aesthetic boxes.

From the upholstered wooden stools to the smaller details like the rustic wood chopping boards, Amber is a pro at mixing different wood tones. She continues to decorate with vintage by adding loads of classic kitchenware, such as a copper kettle and rustic earthenware.

The breakfast nook

Situated in a corner of the kitchen is the breakfast nook. The nook has been separated from the kitchen through the use of a different paint shade; creating a cozy and snug dining space that is wonderfully inviting.

'I wanted to make this an intentional place where we could sit and eat, hang, or I could enjoy a cup o’ joe before running out the door in the AM,' says Amber.

Channeling the trendy French bistro kitchen look, The café curtains on the little window above the area bring a softness that counteracts the dark paint hue, the look's success is down to even the smallest details.

Despite being separate from the kitchen, Amber has made the breakfast nook and kitchen feel cohesive and of the same style. 'What worked here was giving it all a fresh coat of paint and installing a textured grasscloth wallpaper. This not only added some much-needed dimension but offered a modern twist to balance out the more traditional elements within the space,' she says.

To soften the look Amber has scattered plenty of plush cushions along the banquette, providing the nook with new textures and a crucial cozy element. Following recent rug trends, she opts for a vintage-style rug that does a great job framing the area while bringing some antique character.

The dining room

While the dining room is filled with beautiful objects, one stand-out item makes the space feel eclectic and curated.

'The best part of this space is the gorgeous and ginormous vintage apothecary cabinet along the back wall.' Amber adds that 'the piece itself is one of my very favorite vintage finds, but I’ve had so much fun styling the top with some of my favorite art, trinkets, and décor.'

Teaching us how to style shelves, Amber has decorated the chest of drawers using a layering approach, filling gaps with small ornaments and placing big pieces at the back. Although adorned with lots of decor, the chest doesn't look cluttered. It's been transformed into a feature piece that frames the room.

Interestingly, Amber doesn't hang the artwork on the wall but chooses to prop the pieces against the drawers, resulting in a paired-back, effortless feel that makes a once-traditional space feel welcoming and relaxing.

Decorating with antiques has brought in many vintage elements, from the glass pendant light to the Persian-style rug. These pieces elevate the room and bring a charm that's matched with the dark wood dining table and the series of light wood chairs.

Amber's clearly a master at mixing textures and combining the old and new. Mixing sophistication and coziness, all three spaces feel elegant yet approachable, making them perfect for everyday use.

For more beautiful kitchen inspiration from Amber, we explore an Amber Interiors Montana Kitchen project in our separate piece.