Live in a historic building or home and always wondered how to mix contemporary furniture with historic architecture? Interior designer Kristin Collins lives in the famous Il Borghese courtyard building in Los Angeles and has done a great job balancing the old with the new. Read below for her tips on how to mix the two styles successfully...

LAMPS PLUS: How would you describe your home's architectural style?

KRISTIN COLLINS: I live in the historical Il Borghese in Hancock Park. It has a very large elegant courtyard that is relatively simple compared to other Italianate buildings. Courtyard living is the best because it forces everyone to be apart of the community as a whole. We are all open and friendly with one another because the architectural style lends to that sort of behavior.

LAMPS PLUS: What do you love most about living in a historical home?

KRISTIN COLLINS: I love the generous proportions balanced with the sensibility of a design that really makes you feel comfortable at home. It is so wonderful to live here because of simplicity of the design, ample picturesque vantage points, and the uncompromising grandness.

LAMPS PLUS: What are some of the challenges that arise from living in an older home?

KRISTIN COLLINS: The only compromises of living in this incredible apartment are the difficulty of maintaining a consistent temperature because the heat rises in the winter making the second floor quite hot and the cooler air sinks in the summer making the ground floor extremely cold. Other than that, a few leaks and cracks here and there are nothing anyone should ever worry about. It adds character.

LAMPS PLUS: How did you decide on the direction of the interior design?

KRISTIN COLLINS: The interior design, as with any of my personal interiors, all go with my mood. I always design with the intention of having guests over often and all the feminine colors came about because I finally decided one day that I wanted to have the most girly apartment that I could handle after living with baby blue and creme for a number of years before the now dominating pink and purple.

LAMPS PLUS: What are a few tips for mixing contemporary furnishings with historic architecture?

KRISTIN COLLINS: Keep it clean and simple. If you want to add a piece of lucite furniture, it always works beautifully when mixed with classical architecture. I like to keep a sense of perspective in my classical home by remembering that I am not trying to recreate a scene from the 1930s, so I stay true to using furniture pieces that simply make sense to me. Mixing is the greatest freedom in the world. Don't worry about following any rules - break them!

LAMPS PLUS: How are lighting needs different in a historic home versus newer more contemporary homes?

KRISTIN COLLINS: Historical homes like this one built in 1929 are horribly dark! I think it is important to have lots of lighting sources including lamps, sconces, and chandeliers, all with dimmers so you can set the mood or read the newspaper, depending on what is important at any given moment.

LAMPS PLUS: What are your favorite Lamps Plus ceiling lights?

Illuminations Collection Century Brass Mini Pendant Light

Arteriors Home Macayle Glass Pendant Light

4-Light Chrome and White Pendant Light

Images: Evan Koester