Vintage décor is definitely in style. Vintage style is eclectic and allows for a lot of latitude in design. There are so many ways to use pieces and ideas from the past to make beautiful room without creating a heavy “antique” look. The pieces of the room can be from different vintage eras and still combine to make a unique and put together look.
First, pick a couple of complementary colors to work with. Colors across the color wheel work best. Most vintage pieces are dusty or muted, so keep that in mind. Sometimes a third color will make an appearance in upholstery or wall art. Go with it and use it to accent the look. Start by selecting the furniture you have and identify the bigger pieces you need. Make a list of all the furniture you need. It is so fun to search thrift stores, garage and estate sales and your grandma’s closet for real and reproduction pieces. Going with reproduction pieces and redoing them is a huge money saver in any vintage design. If you can’t locate the right piece at the right size, look for the closest facsimile. All it takes is a little paint or maybe a little fabric to redesign it. For instance, a traditional dining room chair repainted with crackle paint and covered with a cool vintage fabric fits right in! Save money and get a piece that fits perfectly with your color scheme. Buy used furniture and repurpose a totally different function. A dresser can be a TV stand. A buffet can be a dresser. End tables make great night stands and night stands make great end tables. Be creative, think out of the box. Most of all have fun.
When the walls are painted and the big furniture is in place, take stock of what else the room wants for the completion. Are there blank walls, dull or boring spots, imperfections to be covered, special places to light-up? Cultural Intrigue suggested to us to “Make a list of all possible lamps, curtains, rugs, wall art, throws, doilies, and small furniture pieces that might enhance your new space. Time to hit the thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales and family attics. Some pieces take imagination. Be creative while looking.” Maybe ceiling medallions or trivets could go on a wall, a lampshade could be covered with fabric, or old picture frames could be painted and arranged on the wall. Old windows and doors, tools, etc. can be used to enhance a vintage look. Wooden floors look great with painted rugs. The right log can support a piece of glass to make a coffee table.
Below are some smart decorating tips to help!
- Pay attention to architecture
- Don’t over- decorate
- Pay attention to proportions
- Remember you can’t please everyone
- The project is never really done
- Don’t worry be happy!
Vintage décor has to be the easiest to do on a budget. Vintage pieces are found in second-hand stores, thrift shops, garage sales and estate sales. Reproductions can be found almost anywhere. Other decorating styles often require a much bigger investment. Vintage allows for mix and match designs, repurposing and re-doing. It is very forgiving from a design perspective. Most of all, it is a blast.
