Old things are gaining more and more popularity lately. Even new furniture and home decor are artificially aged in order to achieve the predominance of a certain style in the interior. It is very beautiful and unusual, with the help of such objects the whole room begins to play with new colors. And the name of this style is vintage.
Surely everyone has heard this word on TV or met it on the Internet, for example, in the description of things. The vintage style is used in the interior, clothing, home accessories, jewelry and bijouterie. But today we will focus on the design of the premises. Vintage features, design recommendations, photo examples - in general, all the most interesting things about this unusually gentle and original style are presented in the article.
A brief introduction to design direction
Vintage style originated in France. The word is translated into Russian into a whole sentence - "old wine stored in the cellar for a long time." Thisthe phrase is full of meaning and best reflects the essence of the term. After all, many will agree with the statement that the old things that have been preserved since the youth of our ancestors, over the years become only more unique, valuable and interesting. Just like wine.
Of course, if you take the vintage style in the interior, then we are not talking about ancient junk, which is no longer suitable for use due to its age. Vintage is good quality items that are well preserved and can perform their functional duties for some time. Such items may need restoration, but they should be at least partially preserved.
Vintage is often confused with antiques. However, there is a big difference between them. Antiques are original antiques that are of great value, in particular in historical terms, and are sold at a decent price at various auctions and in specialized shops. Their age is at least a hundred years when it comes to works of art, and at least five decades if they are expensive household items. Elements related to vintage style can be made by hand. They usually don't have that much value, so they are sold at a low price in the so-called flea markets and from the hands of individuals.
Characteristic features and important features of vintage style in the interior
When decorating the premises, items are used that are at least 20 years old. This isfurniture, textiles and other items that have already served parents or grandparents. When it comes to new furniture in vintage style or one that has been specially aged, it is worth noting that you should adhere to the fashion of past centuries. By the way, there is such a thing as retro. These styles are very similar, with the only difference being that they belong to different eras. For example, you can compare the fashion of the 1930s and 1960s.
So, what is the vintage style in the interior? The photos selected for this article will help you better understand the essence of the design. Vintage is lightness, comfort, beauty, simplicity and harmony in everything. It surprisingly combines old and new items. In the latter case, we are talking about the classic version of furniture or decor. Items in vintage style have a characteristic touch of antiquity, while each of them can tell its own story, show its own peculiarity and even its own defect: obvious signs of restoration, noticeable several layers of paint, slightly worn handles on armchairs and doors on cabinets.
It is important to think clearly about the decor of the room. Do not fill the room indiscriminately, so that there is practically no space left for passage. Some minimalism should be observed so that only the most necessary furniture is in the room. And as a “seasoning”, textiles and various decorative elements are suitable, which will continue the style and fill the interior with new colors.
Another feature is the lack of strict limits. For example, if you look closely at retro, you can trace a clear line, a framework beyond which you should not go. Vintage style in the interior is freedom and simplicity, which can be seen literally in everything. The main thing is to achieve harmony.
So, you need to remember that vintage is:
- furniture shabby from old age (shelves, chests, cupboards);
- lots of decor and textiles;
- carelessness in the interior, or natural disorder;
- use of natural materials.
Which color palette should be used?
For those who have studied interior styles at least a little, it is no secret that shades in the interior, if they do not play a major role, are a fundamental factor on which much depends. The vintage color palette consists mainly of pastel colors, as if a little “shabby”. Usually it is soft pink, dirty blue and light yellow. The color scheme can be compared with another French style - Provence. Vintage also uses "burnt out" shades, or similar ones that have turned yellow from age.
Vintage style interior design can include a variety of patterns and designs, the tone of which usually contrasts with the general. But the transition should be easy, one that can be understood and accepted visually. Even contrasting tones should have a subtle touch of yellow from old age.
Vintage Wall Decor
Before considering the preferred options, it is worth noting right away that this design does not tolerate the use of modern materials. For example, plastic and synthetics did not yet exist in those times to which vintage will lead us,therefore, they are strictly forbidden to be used in decoration. Otherwise, the situation will look at least vulgar. It is also worth excluding the possibility of using stretch ceilings, carpet, linoleum and laminate. If there are modern elements in the interior, they must correspond to the general concept so as not to spoil the immediacy of the vintage. Preference is given to natural materials such as wood, stone and metal.
As most of the photos show, in the interior in vintage style, wallpaper is most often used for wall decoration. This material can be monophonic or contain various kinds of patterns. You can also glue wallpaper for painting. Here again it is worth drawing a resemblance to Provence, since the main task of all finishing materials is to become a backdrop for furniture and decor.
The color of the walls can be pale gray, pale blue, beige or just white. Finishing with wood or brick is allowed, which are usually simply covered with whitewash. Chips, cracks and irregularities are also specially made, which are an authentic nuance in this style of interior.
Vintage Floor and Ceiling Tips
Here, the decoration should also be quite simple and discreet. Usually the floor and ceiling are painted white. But you can apply other pastel colors. Wooden beams are often mounted in the ceiling. The floor can be laid with parquet, stone or tile, which also require a certain conformity, that is, they must be naturally or artificially aged.
Furniture selection features
This is perhaps the most important part, requiring increased attention and good thought through every detail. Furniture in the interior is very heavy, as it is the basis of any room. How to choose it correctly? For the interior of rooms in vintage style, you need to find furniture that will meet the following requirements:
- at least 20 years of age;
- decent appearance, that is, so that it does not crumble before our eyes;
- retained functionality (for example, cabinet doors should open and close normally);
- made from natural materials (wood, wrought iron, copper, brass);
- having small defects (scratches, scuffs, chips);
- decorated with carved wood, velvet upholstery and so on.
It is very important that all the furniture in the room belongs to one chosen era! In other words, you should not combine items, some of which were fashionable in the 30s and 40s of the last century, and others in the 60s and 70s.
Furniture should be arranged symmetrically. Only what is really needed in a particular room is selected. A large amount of furniture will make the room very cluttered, tasteless, and this should not be allowed.
Selection of decorative elements, textiles and lighting for rooms in vintage style
Various items are used as decorations. They should complement the vintage style in the interior of an apartment or house, be a continuation of what was planned. Amongthe most preferred decorative items such items:
- clock;
- mirrors;
- vases, small figurines and beautiful candlesticks;
- paintings in stylized baguettes;
- frames with photos and pictures hung on the walls;
- caskets, chests for things;
- many textile items: blankets, napkins, bedspreads, curtains and so on;
- screens;
- an old fabric mannequin in clothes that were fashionable at the time;
- floor, table, wall and ceiling lamps with lampshades;
- upholstery for soft fabric furniture;
- even old items, the purpose of which is not known for certain, will do.
Lighting devices can be not only in lampshades. Also used are electric candle holders, wrought iron street lights, floor lamps, industrial style appliances and so on.
Textiles are selected natural, that is, silk, cotton, linen, chintz or calico. It should have a nice pastel shade. As for the decor, it is so diverse that it is impossible to list everything. These are porcelain figurines of angels, and old suitcases, and a non-working typewriter, and battered chests, and much, much more.
Examples of vintage living room decor
It can not be said that the decoration of the room will be simple. It is necessary to consider a lot in order to achieve harmony and a pleasant combination of all items, from furniture to small accessories. If aI want to try to decorate the interior in vintage style with my own hands, you need to regularly replenish the reserves of inspiration. The best option for this is to view examples in the photo.
For wall decoration in the living room, neutral shades are selected that will allow you to focus on furniture with beautiful upholstery. If wallpaper with a pattern was chosen, then in this case the sofa and chairs should be plain. You can put a wardrobe with a glazed facade, an old sideboard, fashionable at a certain time. There is no place for plasma and other modern technology such as a router, DVD receiver and TV set-top box, as they will upset the balance in the design of the room.
Vintage bedroom decor
In this room, the main thing has always been, is and will be the bed. She, like other elements of furniture, is selected antique. It is recommended to take a closer look at the options with a forged headboard. The bed is decorated with pillows with embroidered pillowcases, quilted blankets and knitted bedspreads. It is allowed to use a canopy made of light fabric in delicate colors. Also in the bedroom you can put an old dressing table, which will replace a modern dressing table. Bedside tables are being replaced by stools or antique chairs with a high back. A tripod hanger and wardrobe will perfectly complement the design idea.
Vintage style kitchen: photo and description
The main difficulty is the combination of old kitchen utensils and modern household appliances. Kitchen interior in stylevintage is the embodiment of cheerfulness, bright and emotionally warm, which is reflected not only in the selected shades, but also in the decor. There should be a lot of accessories, dishes that can produce a positive effect, for example, a samovar, an old teapot, “inflated” dishes. Textile items complete the interior: bright curtains on the windows with ruffles and frills, openwork tablecloths, knitted napkins. Cabinets are open or with a glazed facade, where you can display ceramic dishes or painted plates, which will become an additional decoration for the most comfortable room in the house. French vintage style kitchen interior is the best solution for those who want to get the most out of the environment.
Will it be possible to decorate the bathroom in vintage style?
In Italy, it is customary to install a bathtub in the center of the room. And although the vintage came to us from France, in this case, you should do the same, that is, abandon the classic arrangement of plumbing along the walls. But this, of course, if the squares allow.
The bath is chosen elegant, it may have forged legs and handrails. Gilding is generously used here, starting with the finishing of plumbing and ending with decor. However, you should stick to a light color palette. Tiles on the floor and on the walls (if any) are laid out obliquely. It is desirable that she be as if shabby from old age. Copper faucets and various decorative elements will complement the interior. For example, a mirror in a carved frame, framed paintings, various bath accessories.
Vintage - ingenious simplicity, from whichbecomes light, warm and comfortable. Although it is quite difficult to arrange antiques in the modern world, given the abundance of household appliances, it is still possible to cope with this.