Vintage style: 5 tips on interior design
Retro is the trend
We’ve all heard the word ‘vintage’ dozens of times, not only in relation to items of clothing, but also to describe furniture and interior. It’s amazing how in our world packed with innovations we keep seeking beauty and comfort in the past. Vintage style is not only fashionable and nostalgic, it can create a totally peculiar atmosphere in your home. These five easy tips will help you along.
How to make your home look old and chic
1. The rule of 30 years.
In interior design, when we talk about vintage stuff, we mean things that are over 30 years old (but no older than 100 years, those things are called antiquarian). Whether it’s your grandma’s bed, an oval dining table with a classical ornament or a vintage ceramic cat you found in the attic you can turn it into an elite, exclusive detail of your room. You don’t even need to use the item for the same purpose it was meant for. Creative thinking can help you add a few interesting retro accents to your interior.
2. Go for pastel colors
The first thing you should consider is wall color. Choose a restrained palette and try to combine different tones and patterns in one room. There are wallpapers imitating textures characteristic of certain periods, including frescoes, aged walls and other ornaments.
3. Choose leather and aged wood
If you want to make your house look like those of the 20th century, make lavish use of leather chairs, aged-woods cabinets, tables and cupboards. The needed appearance can be achieved in two ways: buying authentic stuff belonging to a certain epoch or making an item seem old by using a special technology or picking one of the numerous brands specializing in producing vintage furniture and accessories.
4. Don’t forget about the carpet
An old carpet is of particular importance in vintage decor. It should necessarily be handmade and authentic. Again, pastel colors are preferable. When choosing a carpet for your room, consider using Oriental or Moroccan options. Another interesting solution is a mosaic carpet made of connected pieces of several carpets, washed and brightened up using a special technology.
5. Add a few details
As you know, details play an important role in any interior. You can make your room look much more vintage if you add a few jars and flower vases, newspaper holders and framed photos. Throw in some accessories that was commonly used in the period of time you are striving to capture - a vintage ceramic cat, a porcelain ballerina or a china tea set. A good solution is to hand a couple of family portraits that will spruce up bare walls and let in the warmth of precious memories.