Replacing fireplace mantels with old mantels is a high-impact way to add that old touch to a space. Antique furniture, from classic wood pieces to chip-painted cabinets, can add the perfect amount of historic charm to all of the things listed above. Whether you find something old or new, the unexpected scale will diversify the size of your decor to add interest and give your room a much needed focal point. For interior designer Kelly Weastler, the key to decorating with vintage elements is to mix pieces from different periods.
When it comes to antiques, family heirlooms, and other vintage items, don't worry if they're “in fashion” right now. With beautiful, time-worn patinas, vases, books, and artifacts are beautiful pieces to decorate bookshelves. Whether introduced through cushions, lamp shades, or bedspreads, vintage textiles are a brilliant way to inject color, design, and softness into an interior; you can even hang a fabric panel as a wall decor. When decorating a wall with works of art or vintage style, taking inspiration from the architecture of the room is a good starting point, suggests Julia Dempster.
To make sure you're buying a quality piece and not a reproduction, “check the authenticity of the antiques you buy: they must include labels, stamps or details that indicate the manufacturer's location and, often, a certificate of authenticity,” says Clara Ewart, design director at Kitesgrove. When decorating with vintage pieces, don't feel like all you need to do is match them, says Henriette von Stockhausen, but follow your heart. Here we've rounded up a selection of inspiring ways to integrate antiques and vintage objects into your home, along with some tips from interior experts. While built-in kitchen cabinets are ideal for making the most of storage ideas, freestanding vintage pieces feature beautiful aged patinas that, when used in combination with cabinets, can help break the uniformity of the space.
Vintage items have had a long lifespan; they have undergone a lot of changes in interior style, so don't try to choose them because of their “modern value”. Buying new dining chairs that reflect a more vintage atmosphere, investing in new sofas with vintage details, and even a wall TV cabinet that matches your current style will have a big impact. Interior designer Sarah Gunn says: “Instead of always following the latest design trends, decorate with timeless pieces that you love. Bathroom ideas can be cold and clinical, but introducing antiques and vintage objects is a great way to add warmth, texture and personality.
