What is vintage?
Today, the phrase “vintage style” is used mainly to denote something old, but at the same time high-quality and beautiful. In fact, the original meanings did not concern beauty or decor at all.
Vintage (from the French vintage) is a good vintage wine of a certain age. The English use the same word to refer to the process of harvesting grapes.
In the context of fashion, style, and design, vintage refers to old, well-preserved things (however, here too, the reference to aged drinks has been preserved).
It is the “aging”, or rather the age of vintage-style items, that distinguishes them from retro. The second word refers to a modern imitation of antiquity. By the way, the era is another difference between vintage and retro. In a general sense, vintage is older, covering the pre-war period (late 19th – early 20th century), while retro is post-war, i.e. the second half of the 20th century. They also look different: vintage is still a more classic style, while retro developed together with bright art deco and modern modern.
Features of the style
Vintage interiors have special differences, which together form this direction.
Antique details
Vintage furniture and other furnishings from the past always have an interesting history behind them, which they convey to the surrounding space. Perhaps that is why vintage interiors in houses seem more lively, cozy, elegant, in contrast to the plastic fashion of the 2000s.
Natural materials
Since artificial plastic and other analogues did not exist before the war, the interiors were filled with real wood or vines, forged metal, natural textiles.
Aged items
A deliberate transformation of elements in the vintage style is not required, but shabby antique items are necessary. In this case, the shabby look is not given to new, but to originally old objects – often during restoration, the functionality of furniture or decor is restored, after which the artist adds a “pattern of time” using paint and a brush.
Check out a selection of ideas for remaking Soviet furniture.
Color palette
Vintage cannot be called “flashy”: calm, neutral colors are used in the interior design. White, beige, gray, colored light pastel.
Delicate shades in the decoration are necessarily diluted with floral motifs: fabrics with floral prints are used for upholstery or decorative textiles (pillows, bedspreads, curtains), wallpaper is glued to the walls.
There should not be a lot of flowers, their task is to place accents.
What finishing materials are better to use?
To understand how a vintage interior should look, it is enough to carefully examine the photographs of the rooms.
Ceiling
Standard white – whitewashed or painted. Stucco is used for decoration: cornices, rosettes, moldings, bas-reliefs.
Walls
Paint or wallpaper is used for finishing. Monochrome color scheme in light tones prevails. Often decorated with horizontal moldings at a level of 100-120 cm from the floor. Wallpaper is acceptable with a simple print – horizontal (stripes), floral.
Floor
Oddly enough, but it is the floor that creates the vintage atmosphere. You are lucky if the apartment has old parquet – it is enough to sand it, re-coat it with a protective agent and you can use it. If you want an imitation, look for tiles or laminate with signs of wear.
The photo shows a light ceiling finish and moldings on the walls
Recommendations for choosing vintage furniture, appliances and plumbing?
To make vintage in the interior of an apartment authentic, you will have to go around all the flea markets and flea markets in the city, spend a lot of time searching for the necessary parts on classifieds sites and in groups of like-minded people. But it’s worth it!
Furniture
Characteristic features inherent in all furniture in vintage style:
- Durability. Wooden cabinets and chests of drawers were made of solid wood.
- Decorativeness. The products were decorated with carved details.
- Epochal. If you doubt whether individual elements will match each other, look at the production date. Things made at the same time will harmonize perfectly.
To prevent your apartment from looking like a museum, choose 1 main detail in each room, and select the rest to match it:
- A wrought-iron bed will guarantee vintage in the bedroom;
- A wooden sideboard or sideboard is appropriate in the kitchen;
- A massive chest or rocking chair will complement a vintage-style living room.
The photo shows a vintage desk
Technology
Since the main modern technology appeared after the middle of the 20th century, vintage products are not provided in principle. So instead of trying to style a modern refrigerator or stove, just make sure they’re not too obvious.
In the kitchen, a built-in unit is appropriate, while in the living room, the TV can also be hidden behind doors – otherwise, a plasma panel can ruin the entire perception of style.
Plumbing
Fortunately, furnishing a bathroom and toilet is not difficult. Manufacturers have separate “vintage” lines, which include:
- clawfoot bathtubs;
- metal enameled sinks or porcelain sinks on figured stands;
- toilets with high suspended cisterns;
- carved figured faucets.
A mirror in a beautiful copper frame and suitable accessories (holders for brushes, paper, shelves) will help to complete the atmosphere.
What decor and textiles can be used?
Adherents of vintage-style interiors should not neglect small things like decor. Decorations transform the space and set the mood.
Great options that suit direction:
- porcelain tea set;
- napkins, tablecloths with delicate embroidery;
- family photos in beautiful frames;
- metal figurines;
- wall or table clocks with Roman numerals;
- black and white cityscapes;
- curtains with frills, grabs;
- antique candlesticks.
Lighting options
At the time of the style’s inception, artificial lighting was just coming to homes. The light was dim, incandescent lamps alternated with candles – so the overall picture can be called shaded.
If the goal is absolute compliance – focus on soft, warm, diffused glow. No white spotlights.
The photo shows vintage lamps
Chandeliers either with lampshades made of printed fabric, or chic forged ones, with “cup holders” reminiscent of candlesticks. One point for the room will definitely not be enough, so floor lighting (floor lamp with frills), table lighting or wall lighting (sconces for candelabra) are added to the ceiling lighting.
How does vintage look in the interior?
A living room in vintage style resembles a hall, or to be more precise, a room in a rich house, intended for receiving guests. If possible, install a fireplace and lots of seating: sofas, couches, armchairs, ottomans.
A vintage bedroom should evoke a feeling of softness from the threshold: a high feather bed with beautiful linens, a canopy around the perimeter, a bench at the foot.
The photo shows aged bedroom furniture
The vintage kitchen resembles a classic one: light (white, cream) furniture with carved decor, beautiful dishes, delicate textiles “in a flower”.
Children’s rooms deserve special attention: they can look solemn and resemble a royal bedroom, or they can be restrained – with wooden furniture, light walls, toys in muted colors.
The photo shows a children’s room with vintage details
Vintage in a modern apartment is a controversial choice. But if you really like the atmosphere of the pre-war era — make it come true!
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