When Vintage Style Meets Modern Homes

Want a décor scheme that can easily change with the trends but doesn't get out of style? Then traditional classics with a little modern touch may just be the kind of mix you need.

Go for vintage décor if you like the layered look of combining heirloom furniture or art piece with something modern that seamlessly fits in and last for many years. No doubt, vintage is a décor style that transcends time! Having some classic pieces give you a perfect framework on which to layer, mix, and match new finds along your life's journey.

The blending of vintage and modern is essentially an evolution of form rather than a total makeover. Melissa Michaels, creator of The Inspired Room, says:

"That’s why I have always embraced a style that has a traditional twist to it. It never feels so defined that it might get stuffy or outdated, but it also isn’t likely to feel like my whole home is too trendy just a year after I decorate it. It’s a mixed style that can evolve with me as my taste and lifestyle does. I can hang on to things that might not be perfect while I need them, but they still mix in just fine until I finally get to pick out something I like better. I can easily move things to other rooms if I feel like I need a change. That just feels authentic and right for my home! It’s a slow process but it’s real life for me."

"...Mixing up painted and wood pieces makes it even easier to continue to evolve! I love when a traditional piece can mix in with that fun new rug. A dramatic wall color can bring it all together." And she adds, "I LOVE to feel the freedom to evolve in my taste and style, it’s just a fun part of life for me."

Michaels further explains, "I especially love items that can work in more than one space. ...I love things that are unique in a tasteful way and suggest a story or history. I love when classic patterns or fabrics are also modern so you can add in a fun touch without your house feeling outdated next year.”

Evolution of style is made simple when you use classic pieces as your foundation for styling a space. You can simply add new items and incorporate them to your current design --as you find them.

It’s quite brilliant how vintage lends your room fullness and depth of character as each object has an interesting story to tell. There's something pleasant about traditions and treasured memories being passed down from one home (and season) to another. You can enjoy recalling and sharing stories when you introduce a hint of vintage throughout your rooms.

Moreover, blending modern pieces in your space signifies optimism and youthful joy. Mixing old with new keeps your design current and evolving. With this fusion of styles, you can always feel at home in the present. Mixing modern and vintage elements allows you to express your particular preference without being hindered by perfectionism.

Isn't it exciting when you discover something in a secondhand shop or bazaar or when you simply combine classic pieces you already have in a more modern way? Collecting vintage accessories and antique pots to reuse and repurpose throughout your home is only an example of what’s possible for vintage styling.

Read on if you want to know creative ways for introducing vintage pieces and antiques into your current interior space and enjoy helpful tips from interior experts.

DECORATING WITH WELL-LOVED CLASSICS

There are numerous ways one can use antique elements in decorating, but most interior pros agree that when selecting vintage items, you must pick those that appeal to you on a personal level. It is not necessary to spend a fortune. Louise Roe, founder of Sharland England (a nostalgic homeware brand) says, "Decorating with antiques really adds a sense of charm and history to a room. Go for what you love, rather than what you think might be valuable or on trend."

MIX THE OLD AND THE NEW

Mixing pieces from several eras, according to interior designer Kelly Weastler, is the secret to styling a room with vintage.

"'I am a firm believer that in every era there is incredible design and I pull from lots of different periods – I love mixing deco, Bauhaus, mid-century modern décor; sticking to one era can be a bit one note. If you buy all your furniture new it’s going to start to look dated quickly, but if you take the time to curate and shop in a variety of places, you end up with a much more timeless room. ...I’m always looking for a balance between vintage and contemporary. If I buy a new sofa maybe I’ll look for a vintage coffee table, so they offset one another."

Contact JarvisInteriors today if you want customized advice on how to give your modern space a vintage touch.

BUY HIGH-QUALITY PIECES

Many interior designers favor the longevity of vintage furniture over modern ones.

Interior designer, Susan Delisss, explains, "The materials used were generally high quality – hardwoods and unusual woods that people don't use now or silks or embroideries. For quality, design and durability, antiques compare very favorably to modern furniture."

To make sure you're not buying a reproduction of an original, "check the authenticity of the antiques you purchase,” Clara Ewart, Kitesgrove Head of Design, suggests. Typically there are details, labels, or hallmarks of the maker’s address –and often a document of authenticity.

BLEND DIFFERENT STYLES

Interior designer, Henriette von Stockhausen, suggests that when decorating with vintage items, don't feel like everything has to match. Instead, follow your heart. She adds, "the truth is that often the more contrived and forced an interior is, the less successful it is."

"Some people will stumble over the need to focus on one period or genre which perhaps reflects the time in which the house was built. This can be important for those who are trying to restore a room or house to the original design. But my approach with clients is to encourage them to mix pieces from different countries, styles and periods, if they are comfortable doing so."

CHOOSE ANTIQUE LIGHT FIXTURES

Using vintage and antique lighting has increasingly become popular among homeowners who wish to make a decorative statement.

Lucy Tonge, owner of decorative antiques and lighting dealer LCT Home, says, "'It is about a lighting feature that has the same impact when it is off as it does when illuminated, decadent and glamorous, function and form, it needs to light a space, but also ignite the imagination."

"We’ve seen quite a surge in demand for antique and vintage wall sconces... the recent trends have very much been focused toward securing that unique piece of lighting for the wall, whether it is a pair of beautiful naturally inspired flora and fauna sconces, or a spectacular statement light, the appetite among our clients for wall lighting that is decorative as well as functional is stronger than ever, particularly from the 1960s–80s."

For more lighting ideas, also read:

How to Create Dramatic Interiors with These Great Interior Design Lighting Ideas

USE VINTAGE FABRICS

Vintage fabrics are a perfect way to add pattern, color, and softness to a space, whether they are used as lampshades, cushions, or bedspreads. You could even hang a fabric panel as your wall art.

There are beautiful vintage textiles available from around the world that feature a variety of special techniques, from embroidered Suzani panels (from Central Asia) to Japanese Shibori and Indian Kantha quilts, all meticulously and skillfully made by hand.

Chloe Jonason, creator of bespoke homewares, says, "They have a certain faded elegance which makes them easy to mix and match as the muted colors all work really well together."

REUSE ANTIQUE PIECES

Whether it's framing a new art piece with an old golden frame, restoring a mid-century armchair, or giving an old sideboard a fresh coat of paint, giving antique items a new lease on life is an excellent way to create remarkable pieces for your space. It helps reduce waste, too!

Kitesgrove Head of Design, Clara Ewart, says, "There are many places to find wonderful antiques and you don’t need to have a big budget to find pieces which can be restored, re-upholstered and renewed whether you choose to go to a decorative fair or an auction house. Re-purposing one-off pieces of furniture or lighting will also provide a great sense of satisfaction to be continuing the life of an item which may otherwise have been discarded."

ADD HEIRLOOM PIECES TO YOUR BATHROOM

Bathroom decoration can easily become cold and routine, but bringing in your vintage finds will transform it into a warm space with texture and personality. For instance, you can install a modern sink onto a Victorian washstand to create a quirky and unique vanity.

Henriette von Stockhausen, says, "There are so many ways to incorporate antiques with perhaps the only rule being not to be afraid to mix and experiment. Old paravent screens can become cupboard doors, rugs can become headboards, urns can become lamps and tables can become kitchen islands! Creativity is key – let your imagination run wild and tell your own story!"

INFUSE YOUR KITCHEN WITH VINTAGE PIECES

If you want to create a vintage kitchen, using freestanding furniture like buffet tables, dressers, or sideboards will instantly bring personality and enhance a laid-back feel.

Helen Parker, Devol Creative Director, explains, "It is definitely worth spending time sourcing vintage pieces to break up a room, they can really make a difference to the finished look and always add personality and character."

Other than breaking up the uniform look of a space, freestanding kitchens allow you to do makeovers easily if you wish to change the kitchen’s layout.

For vintage living room inspirations, read:

FALL-ing for Vintage and Modern Decor – Black and White Living Room

GET INSPIRATION FROM THE ARCHITECTURE

Interior designer, Julia Dempster, advises drawing inspiration from the room's architecture when styling it with artwork or vintage wall décor.

ENJOY USING DIFFERENT TEXTURES

Vintage books, containers, and artifacts with exquisite time-worn surfaces make lovely shelf decorations.

Dempster, explains, "I prefer to use contrasting textures but with a minimal color palette when I decorate with vintage pieces. I limit the colors to a maximum of three." She adds that when you decorate a shelf, "do not have all the items on a longer shelf the same height. Not only should you contrast materials, you should mix up the heights, too."