The Art of Designing with History at Ancient Moderne
- Jul 15
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
On Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Ancient Moderne challenges conventional ideas of interior design. Instead of filling homes with newly manufactured furniture and decorative objects, founder Dawn has built a collection of centuries-old architectural fragments, sculptures and artifacts that are remarkably relevant in contemporary interiors. As Ariana discovers throughout the showroom, every object carries a story, but more importantly, every piece could shape the ambiance of a space. "It's so clear that there's a story here" she observes upon entering, leading into a tour that celebrates the connection between historic craftsmanship and modern interiors.
DESIGNER
Dawn Salzmann
TYPE
Antique Gallery
LOCATION
West Hollywood, California
SERVICES
Full feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok
PRESENTED BY
Dawn & Ariana
Ancient Objects for Modern Interiors
The philosophy behind Ancient Moderne is deceptively simple. "Everything here is ancient but with modern lines" Dawn explains, describing how sculptural pieces from Europe naturally complement contemporary architecture. Throughout the showroom, centuries-old stone troughs, carved wells and architectural fragments are presented not as museum pieces but as functional elements for today's homes. Ariana is immediately captivated by this approach, seeing how many of the objects could easily be mistaken for contemporary sculpture despite their extraordinary age.
The Influence of Sculptural Design
One of the gallery's most remarkable pieces is a naturally sculpted stone formation, estimated to be 30 million years old. Formed over millions of years by flowing water in the rivers of Fontainebleau, France, it is an extraordinary example of nature's craftsmanship. Similar stones were collected by Louis XV for the gardens of Versailles, yet Dawn explains that examples of this scale are exceptionally rare. Its naturally formed heart shape makes it even more remarkable, turning it into a one-of-a-kind sculpture long before it entered the gallery.
More than a collectible, Dawn encourages designers to think about placement and movement. "Move this into the centre of a room and it causes you to have to walk around it" she says, explaining that a truly exceptional object should influence how people experience a space. Ariana captures its emotional impact perfectly, describing it as "enduring love" highlighting that the most distinctive interiors begin with objects that inspire conversation and define a space. Priced at $274,000, it reflects its geological rarity and its significance as a design centrepiece.
Giving Historic Materials New Purpose
Throughout the showroom, familiar architectural elements are transformed into furniture with remarkable presence. An 18th century stone staircase from Hôtel de Ville in Lyon becomes an impressive dining table, offered at $52,000, while centuries-old horse troughs are envisioned as dramatic planters or water features. Ariana admires the balance between precision and nature, saying "I’m seeing the coexistence of the straight lines, even these hard edges, but also just the natural movement of the rock itself."
This appreciation for natural character extends to every detail, including the moss that still clings to many of the pieces. When asked how the dining table is maintained, Dawn explains that while the moss can be gently removed, she would much rather preserve it. "The moss is everything" she says, describing it as part of the object's history and personality. By embracing these natural layers of age, Ancient Moderne encourages homeowners to see texture, weathering and patina not as imperfections to erase, but as qualities that give an interior depth, authenticity and lasting character.
Designing With Character Instead of Perfection
A recurring lesson throughout the tour is that authenticity cannot be manufactured. Ancient wells become sculptural planters, cathedral windows become elegant room dividers and naturally formed roots become works of art ready to be transformed into lighting features.
Even the organic growth found on many objects is preserved wherever possible. As Ariana points out, nature has effectively become the artist, and Dawn summarises the philosophy in one memorable sentence: "Everything we do is art."
Interiors That Tell Stories
Beyond their visual appeal, every object at Ancient Modern carries layers of history that enrich the homes they enter. A remarkable 18th century Italian family tree, priced at $22,000, original cathedral windows and a collection of Spanish olive jars all serve as reminders that the best interiors are often built around objects with stories to tell.
The family tree is particularly extraordinary, tracing generations back to the year 809 and preserving centuries of family history on its original painted surface. For Dawn, however, its greatest value lies beyond its rarity. "If any family walks in here and goes, 'Oh my goodness, that's my grandfather,' it is my gift to them to take it back to their own family" she says, revealing the sense of responsibility she feels as a curator and not just simply a collector.
The same appreciation for historical significance can be seen in the gallery's collection of Spanish olive jars. Sourced from a fourth-generation olive oil producer in southern Spain, each vessel reflects the traditions of the region it came from. Their distinctive painted finishes were not decorative but practical, with different colours identifying what was stored inside, whether olives, grain or other produce. Painted and repainted over generations, the jars have become a visual record of working agricultural life, making each one as meaningful as it is beautiful.
For Dawn, every object is valued not only for its age or rarity but for the story it carries and the role it can play within a home. As she explains, an object's worth is also defined by "how valuable it is in design" emphasising that the most memorable interiors are created through thoughtful curation, where history, craftsmanship and personal meaning become part of everyday living.
Elsewhere in the gallery, a monumental 19th century eagle salvaged from a Philadelphia building façade is offered at $179,000, while a pair of 15-million-year-old stalactites, transformed into sculptural light features after an accidental break, are available as a pair for $60,000. For Dawn, however, these prices are secondary to the stories each object carries and the atmosphere they create within a home.
Dawn explains that value comes not only from rarity and age, but from "how valuable it is in design" emphasising that meaningful interiors are created through thoughtful curation and not on decoration alone.
A Personal Approach to Collecting
Unlike many galleries, Ancient Moderne is driven by personal passion rather than market demand. "Nothing in this gallery have I purchased because I think it's going to sell" Dawn reveals. "I have purchased things because I can't live without it." This viewpoint gives the showroom an authenticity that resonates throughout the collection, with every object selected for its emotional and artistic significance and not for its commercial appeal. For interior designers, it serves as a reminder that the strongest spaces are often built around pieces that genuinely inspire their owners.
Celebrating Authenticity Through Design
As the tour concludes in the showroom's garden, where weathered stone wells and moss-covered sculptures blur the boundary between architecture and landscape, Ariana reflects on the experience. "Interior design is not just about finding the hottest new pieces. It's also about honoring the history and the stories that come with ancient pieces." Dawn offers the perfect final thought: "You can't fake authentic." Together, their conversation captures the essence of Ancient Moderne, demonstrating how timeless interiors are created not through trends, but through objects whose beauty has already stood the test of time.
Follow Ancient Moderne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ancient_moderne/
Visit Ancient Moderne's Website: https://www.ancientmoderne.com
