Professional Tips for Decorating with Antique Finds and Vintage Mirrors

Vintage decor is the latest decorating trend that is showing up in homes worldwide. A perfect trend for antique houses and that feature several antique details, vintage decor is the ideal choice for showing off old-style details.

When decorating an antique home, consider investing in vintage mirrors, which add necessary charm and character to highlight antique furnishings. Interior designs recommend the following tips for decorating antique homes.

• Collections – Consider placing collections together to create a recurring theme throughout homes. These accessories do not have to be expensive and are a great way for homeowners to express their artistic sides. Check out local flea markets and secondhand stores for vase collections, old-style accessories and much more.
• Displays – Place fun collections and finds on bookshelves. This gives collections a unique display area and simultaneously adds visual interest to vintage-style homes.
• Color – Vintage styles focus on coordinating complementary colors. Whether it is an attractive wood cabinet with vintage mirrors placed atop or vibrant color palettes of browns and blues, with punches of 1970s vintage pea green, these styles are all the rage this upcoming fall season.
• Wall Space – Vintage designs focus on taking advantage of wall space. Use weathered antique wood planks to display collections, artwork, objects and antique figurines. This is also an excellent area to display vintage mirrors or custom mirrors.
• Combining Styles – Mixing old and new pieces is common in vintage designs. Reproductions are excellent for lighting and can often cost substantially less than having lights re-wired. Select a vivid color, such as turquoise mixed with antique crystal adornments for a special, unique and custom look.
• Repurpose – The latest trend is to repurpose old, outdated items, giving them a fresh breath of life. Outdated gold hardware can be painted quirky colors for an instant boho-chic look.
• Double Duty – Opt for vintage furniture that serves double duty purposes. For example, use cake stands and turn them into small terrariums. Another option is using vintage mirrors with ornate frames, and having them double as eye-catching artwork.
• Elements – Unexpected elements in homes add a unique touch of class to vintage-style areas. Consider pairing vintage style garden pots with antique ceramic birds for an upscale look that is classy and sophisticated.
• Architectural Elements – Many antique homes feature unique architectural elements and built-in pieces, such as corner-style bookshelves, built-in china hutches and other recessed shelves. Play up these unique features by using them as shadow box displays, highlighting special collections or mementos. These are also perfect for displaying family photos or a collection of petite vintage custom mirrors.
• Old-Style Beauty – Instead of focusing on the negative, turn old antiques into salvaged pieces and repurpose them from rooms. For example, old metal hospital bed frames can easily be painted and distressed for a custom look that is charming and unique.
• Everyday Objects – Use vintage mirrors in bathrooms for an upscale look that is sure to add charm to any antique space. These pair well with pedestal sinks and claw-foot tubs, as well as simple organizational units that hold hand towels, jewelry, potted plants and daily necessities. Consider adding shelves to bathrooms for additional storage.
• History – One of the most charming aspects of vintage homes is when homeowners display their personal memorabilia, such as family photos, photo albums, special family relics, mementos, school mascot flags, etc. This gives any home office a unique workspace that helps offer encouragement, creativity and a positive work environment.
• Layers – Bedrooms look stunning with a variety of layers, which add much needed interest and depth. Consider offsetting vintage afghans with brightly colored vintage prints. Instead of using artwork in bedrooms, place wall mirrors in clusters of three, suspending them from curtains for a classic focal point that adds intrigue and mystique.
• Elements – Use an old metal dresser that features industrial style and paint it using distressing techniques. Consider placing an old metal rack to highlight ever-changing displays of postcards, mementos, photos, cards and other special keepsakes.
• Simple and Clean – The key to decorating with vintage styles is keeping homes simple and clean. Instead of having items that create clutter, focus on maintaining a neutral, basic color palette that highlights gray walls with white trim. Vintage flea market plaster busts make a stunning focal point that is sure to garnish second glances from visitors.
• Personal Touches – Homes should reflect a homeowner’s personal sense of style. Consider adding custom wall mirrors, picture frames, monograms, grandfather clocks and potted plants.
• Patina – Old furniture that is painted and features distressed details adds a special patina to rooms, highlighting imperfections, gashes and nicks, which help add character to vintage designs. The same is true for hand-painted mirrors, which feature a rich patina that highlights the custom wall mirror’s individual flaws, characters and artisanship.
• Entryways – Often overlooked, entryways are the ideal location to place a coat rack, antique column, chair, artwork, vintage mirror and coat hooks.
• Details – Consider placing rustic touches in rooms, such as storage cabinets, armoires, china hutches, etc. Pair rustic accessories with these designs by incorporating burlap table runners or dining room chairs covered in a burlap design.
• Illusions – In homes that feature wainscoting, consider painting the wainscoting white and the top portion a light gray. Simple white furniture looks timeless against this simple color scheme. This monochromatic look adds a romantic vibe to any room, giving it the illusion it is larger and more spacious.
• Kitchens – For inexpensive kitchen upgrades, consider repainting cabinets, replacing counters, using vintage-style hardware and incorporating antique shelves for displaying canisters, bowls and other large kitchen necessities.
• Mantels – Instead of having a traditional headboard, use a vintage mantel and place a simple vase of lavender on top. This cozy, white distressed mantel looks outstanding with a white coverlet and robin blue egg tone accessories.
• Dressers – Dressers offer excellent storage space, serving as areas for storing clothes, linens, extra china, seasonal clothing, blankets, pillows and much more. Pair an antique dresser with a vintage mirror for an upscale look that is sophisticated, yet regal.
• Slanted Ceilings – Many antique homes, especially farmhouses, feature slanted attic ceilings. Consider placing tables against these slanted walls and using shelves underneath for additional storage. This is a perfect alternative to tall, traditional dressers.

References:

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/decorating-style/flea-market/decorate-with-vintage-finds/#page=16

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/decorating-style/flea-market/house-tour-natural-patina/