Choose a vintage interior design style, to get a comfortable, nostalgic look in your home. Use the best of yester-year, to make your modern life more enjoyable ...
Before I studied interior design and started researching a vintage design style, to write this page, I wasn't actually sure what 'vintage interior design' could be ... just anything that is old, right?
No?
So what era is 'vintage' actually from then?
Answer - 'vintage' refers to the 1940's and 1950's. It is an era that most people can remember, if not from their own childhood (or adult life), then at least from the homes of their grandparents.
It is a wonderfully nostalgic look, and will create for you the memories and feelings of childhood, of a comfortable and comforting, safe, family home - safer and simpler times!
It is not a perfect, strict, 'finished' style, but mixes and matches different looks and styles. It includes treasured family heirlooms, handed down, and items of many different eras and styles.
After the War, people did have to make-do and mend - so this led to furniture that was repaired or made-over, and lots of hand-made goodies - like patchwork quilts and crochet.
Let's take a look at some typical items, which you could include in your home to recreate a vintage interior design look - and to create a warm, cosy, comforting home.
Firstly, this isn't an expensive look to go for. Scour flea markets, antique stalls and eBay for reasonably priced, good quality, solid items. It really doesn't matter if they look a little worn, as it all adds to that 'pre-loved' charm.
Paint items of furniture, if you like, to go with your room. Try giving it a distressed look, by rubbing wax over corners and edges before you start. Then apply the paint (in thin coats), and when dry, rub with a little sandpaper or wire wool, over the waxed areas, so that a little of the wood shows through - instantly creating that lovely distressed, slightly worn feel.
A really useful item of furniture to look out for is a corner cabinet, or a simple glass fronted display case - where you can display all your unusual and unique finds.
Make slip-covers for old sofas and chairs, to give them a new lease of life - choose chintzy and floral patterns, especially roses.
Choose muted and pastel, period colors for walls - any color will look great - but do take care that you don't choose something too bright and modern.
Patterned wallpaper is a really good way to get an authentic vintage interior design look. Again, floral patterns are great - especially 1940's and 1950's style roses.
Accessories really are the key to getting the vintage interior design look right though ...
Include plenty of pretty fabrics, oilcloth tablecloths, throws and cushions, patchwork, crochet, lace and embroidery. Anything homemade will look great - and really authentic!
Look out for old fashioned pottery - display pretty plates or tea-cup sets, or use water pitchers and bowls to hold big bunches of flowers (gathered from your own garden maybe?).
In the kitchen include enamel pots, egg baskets, cow-shaped milk jugs and butter dishes, bread bins and flowery aprons.
If you like your knick-knacks, this is definitely the look for you! Look out for all sorts of little boxes, bowls, pots and pretty ornaments. Display collections of tea-pots, porcelain dolls, precious family heirlooms, or anything else in display cabinets.
A great place to look for this sort of thing is on eBay. Take a look and see if you can find a fascinating vintage piece and grab a bargain.
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On your walls...
Include old adverts and period art, framed up onto your wall. Also go for framed, period postcards, and plenty of photos of your nearest and dearest. Don't worry about using matching frames, or arranging them neatly on the wall - just let the arrangement evolve naturally, as you add more pictures to bare corners.
Tin signs and adverts are a really good way of getting the vintage interior design look too - especially for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
Take a look at some of these good ideas for a vintage styled home:
Just click on an image to see a larger picture, or for more information, or to buy.
Try some decoupage for a really good vintage look - and an excellent, fun craft idea. Cut out pictures - of anything you like really - old cars, vintage pin-up girls or flowers are all a good look for this style. Then, using wallpaper paste, layer the pictures up into a nice design, overlapping as you go. You can make pictures, or cover screens, tabletops, anything ...! Give it a coat of clear varnish to protect it, once you have finished. If you want, you can actually buy decoupage kits (from most craft stores) to give you some ideas, and get you started.
I think you will find this vintage interior design style really comfortable, and easy to live with, as well as easy to achieve. Simply include all your favourite items (without worrying too much about age), to create a home that is uniquely yours, with your personality very definitely stamped on it.
So go for it - have lots of fun, and create a comfortable, welcoming home, to be your cosy refuge from the modern world.
