10 ways to give your home a vintage-style uplift
From infusing character to melding classic with contemporary, three interior designers share their advice on incorporating a vintage aesthetic to transform your space. By KATIE BERRINGTON
TARA SHAW
Let your interiors tell your story
“There is a collected layering that makes a home feel so inviting when there are different periods of furnishings used in design,” says Tara Shaw, interior designer and author of Soul of the Home. “Vintage finds mixed with contemporary pieces and a dash of antiquity can elevate the character of each design to make a room feel unique to its owner. Your home should read like your biography.”
When buying a vintage piece, think about the object’s future
“My mantra is always follow your heart and listen to the small voice when you are on the hunt [for antiques]. When an object speaks to you, ‘pull the trigger’. Purchase items that you will want to live with. Something that is key for me is to purchase ‘known’ designers, as this helps if you want to resell, should you ever want to part with the piece.”
It’s all in the mix
“The easiest way to inject vintage is to do an edit. First, try to remove a chair that you are not in love with from your living room, for example, and then add some vintage seating that you are drawn to. It is really a mixture of designs that breaks up the traditional format and gives the home a rich provenance.”
DARRYL CARTER
Consider some architectural alterations
“There is no better way to infuse character into a space than by integrating reclaimed architectural materials,” recommends Darryl Carter, interior designer and author of The Collected Home and The New Traditional. “Depending on the preferred aesthetic, some of my go-tos are ceiling medallions. These can be stunning in a more modern vernacular, with either an ornate crystal chandelier or a modern white metal pendant. Reclaimed beams can articulate ceilings in both traditional and modern settings. If your project permits, an antique marble mantel can truly redefine a space.
“These architectural embellishments can relieve an otherwise static modern vocabulary and lend integrity in more traditional settings. My approach to furnishings follows the same logic. Too much of the same style of furnishings diminishes a room’s interest. I am guilty of loving both antiquities and ‘clean, modern’ designs, but I would never suggest that a room be entirely populated with either.”
Don’t be too precious
“I think there are a few basic principles to take into account in order to achieve a well-designed room – comfort, approachability and scale. These can be surprisingly achieved by the well-thought introduction of antiquities (not precious), vintage pieces and/or primitives. These tend to be relatively under-scaled – but, more importantly, introducing a time-worn patina will make any space feel more approachable. I go into this in some detail in my book, The Collected Home. By way of example, in my own home, I have a very modern, formal dining room. The dining table is of my own design and I am by no means above being self-critical. The table is art. It is stunning to look at, but I am guessing everyone who sits down at that table is more preoccupied with not spilling than the at-large conversation. On the other hand, in my breakfast room, there is a 200-year-old farm table that is veritably indestructible. Here, no one is afraid of spilling, and thus, I have had some of the most enjoyable, rowdy dinners around that table.”
Think editing and upcycling
“Not every wall has to be embellished with art. Use a vintage rug on its reverse side; the pattern will be more muted. Resist the impulse to overpopulate a space. One way to do this is to tuck small benches under tables for overflow seating. Neutralize the palette. One way to redefine an antique chair, for instance, is to remove original silk/damask and replace this with linen or leather. If an antique is not precious, I am not averse to having it painted. A neutral palette generally lends serenity.”
Look a little harder for the true gems
“If you are shopping for upholstered vintage pieces, these often need to be recovered. Look at the form and try to see past the dated textile. Many of these pieces can be diamonds in the rough.”
COURTNEY MCLEOD
Broaden your vintage-inspired imagination
“My dreamy vintage-inspired interior aesthetic would be heavily influenced by 1940s-era French Art Moderne style. Hallmarks include beautiful polished woods, elegant flair and a streamlined design that still feels modern today,” says Courtney McLeod of Right Meets Left Interior Design. “I think most people imagine shabby-chic when you say vintage but, for me, the term covers a wider array of ideas and can be more sophisticated.”
Decide on your priorities and a primary look
“To begin, one must consider lifestyle priorities. If you are tough on your furniture, you don’t want to bring in a vintage piece with a perfectly preserved piano lacquer finish. Something with patina would be more suitable to everyday wear and tear. Also, don’t be afraid to mix eras. The key is to find a primary style for the overall design scheme – and then to incorporate a few interesting pieces from different eras to complement that style.”
Before shopping, brush up on historical design
“The most important part [of designing with vintage items] isn’t necessarily the hunt. I believe it is spending the time to learn about popular design styles of the past to home in on what truly speaks to you as an individual. Armed with knowledge, the search for amazing pieces is so much more thrilling!”
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