In each installment of our series Decor Decisions, an interior designer helps us choose art for a certain style of home, from minimalism to Art Deco, industrial to mid-century modern, and beyond. (See the playlist curated specially for Victorian interiors or browse our other installments.)

Once upon a time—back in the 1800s, that is—Victorian architecture and design were the interior trends du jour. Coming out of Queen Victoria’s reign over England, the movement marked the pinnacle of regal refinement, defined with ornate details, rich jewel tones, and dark woods.

However, a lot has changed since Queen Victoria left the throne. Unless you’re living in one of the pristine, candy-colored townhouse that make up San Francisco’s photogenic Painted Ladies, the Victorian look can feel outdated in today’s mid-century-obsessed world.

Art is transformative. It has the power to change the mood of the space and invoke emotions with one glance. So it comes as no surprise that art is the key to bringing the design trends of yore into the modern world.

“As an interior designer and artist, I have found it’s easier and more impactful to place contemporary or modern art in most interiors,” explains Barry Lantz of A Lantz Design and Consulting. “Properly curated art with great color and movement can complement any style of space.”

Lantz points out that his curation trick isn’t a new idea. As he points out, the idea of pairing old with new has been around for decades.

“Remember in Titanic, which had so many Victorian influences, Rose was looking through and showing Picasso originals they were taking to America with them?” he asks. “There you go. Victorian style with modern art!”

A cubist piece like Juan Gris’ Wine Jug and Glass (1916) might feel like staple in a well-versed art enthusiast’s repertoire, however, it’s an unexpected yet refreshing addition when paired with a Victorian interior.

Though a Victorian home may seem like an ideal place to hang classic portraits and landscape paintings, it pays off to embrace a bold streak.

“If the room shouts Victorian, have the space speak with art that is current, colorful, tasteful, and modern with movement and rhythm,” Lantz recommends.

While cubism brings a fresh approach to a Victorian space, abstract paintings have the power to successfully blend old and new. David McConochie’s Untitled is an invigorating alternative, but the jewel-toned hues lend a subtle nod to the color palette that was popular in the Victorian age’s décor peak.

While rich jewel tones act well with neutral colors, à la El Lissitzky’s suprematism work, Composition, a brighter palette can act as an appropriate pop of color against the space’s dark woodwork. The cheery shades in Henri Matisse’s Codomas (1947) will brighten up a darker, moodier space that’s frequently associated with the Victorian style. Plus, the bold shapes offer a modern touch.

But if neither jewel tones nor bright hues pique your interest, primary colors teeter nicely between subtle and statement. For example, the concentrated pop of color in Alexander Calder’s São Paulo feels rich and refreshing but not overwhelming. And while Hilma af Klint’s The Swan No. 18 (1915) was completed on the heels of the Victorian style’s reign, the stark symmetry and simple shades keep this piece feeling relevant over a century later.

Oftentimes, living in a Victorian space can feel like you’re time-traveling. It’s as if your modern, technology-clad life is being played out in a snapshot. Adding photography to your walls can exude that same blissfully nostalgic feeling of living in a snapshot, but with a modern twist. While the black-and-white film used in Matt Black’s Downtown pays homage to yesteryear, the photograph’s urban setting makes this piece feel more current.

Regardless of the work you choose, it can be challenging to choose a size and scale that work with your Victorian space, not against it. Choose a piece that’s too small, and it’ll be engulfed in all the rich details of the room. Choose a piece that’s too large, and it might command attention in a negative way. Lantz recommends using the rest of the room’s furniture as a reference point so you can strike a happy medium.

The only question that remains is where to hang your art. Whether you settle on a bold Matisse work or a cubist portrait, the choice is up to you. After all, like beauty, great art is in the eye of the beholder.