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How to style a room using both new and vintage pieces

October 21, 2015 Leave a Comment

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By Samuel Clarke

The popularity of vintage homewares and furniture has undeniably increased over the past few years, and with good reason. In addition to being budget-friendly and good for the environment, using pre-loved vintage pieces that have personality and a story, helps to create unique interiors that are as individual as the people who reside within them.

ANewWall
Photo credit: Anewall

Don’t get me wrong, Iโ€™m not talking about creating period perfect vintage homes. Rather, Iโ€™m talking about how adding a little old in with the new, produces refreshing, eclectic interiors that challenge those common catalogue reproductions. Because letโ€™s be honest, thatโ€™s just lazy and no fun at all!

So, how does one actually do this? There are no steadfast rules in this game, much like a round of pool at your local, but here are a few tips to guide you through and help create a space that speaks to you and your own personal style.

1. Select the right pieces

Like with any interior scheme, it’s important to achieve the right balance in your space. So the first thing to consider (apart from the space itself!) is what furniture pieces youโ€™ll need for a functional space.

Identify a few extra special vintage pieces that will โ€˜carryโ€™ the room, for example a beautiful Mid-Century sideboard, or an Art Deco armchair. They donโ€™t have to match, or even be from the same style or era. Think of them like celebrities; when rappers hang out with country singers. Everyone can get along in the right setting!ย Once you have these pieces, fill in the gaps with simple contemporary designs to allow your celebrity pieces to really take centre stage (sorry, celebrity analogy is over now).

When deciding on your vintage pieces, make it personal. What makes you smile, what makes you think, and what is just too cool to pass up?

2. Keep an open mind

When selecting and collecting your vintage pieces, keep an open mind. You may never find the vintage piece of your dreams, so in some cases, you may need to roll up your sleeves and create it yourself. Look to the pieces’ best features; if there’s a winning case that makes you think twice about leaving it behind, then think about how you can repurpose it to suit your needs. This may be a lick of paint, some simple recovering, or a sand-back and refinish, but there are some pretty thrifty ways to get the look you desire — just ask old mate Google!

3. Tie it all together

Tie It IA
Phot credit: Apartment Therapy

Once you have a collection of pieces you love, think outside the box when putting them together. Display your pieces in unlikely places, group together in unlikely pairings, and layer for interest and depth.

Achieving the eclectic vintage look is about not being afraid to clash styles and eras, but also consider how you can use colours, textures and themes to build a road between them and tie them all together for a cohesive, harmonious space.

4. Donโ€™t overdo it

When decorating with different eras and styles, there can be a lot going on. So hereโ€™s the big tip — just because thereโ€™s an empty space, doesnโ€™t mean you have toย fill it! Consider yourself somewhere between minimalism and maximalism. Would that be mediumism? Anyway, work with your canvas, allow some of it to peek through, and leave some negative space for the eye to rest.

5. Take your time

IA- Take Your time
Photo credit: Emily Henderson

Finally, itโ€™s worth noting that collecting takes time, so be patient. Your look wonโ€™t come together over night. Keep your eyes peeled for vintage pieces that really speak to you and collect them along the way. Add-and-subtract and mix-and-match them in your space and let it constantly grow and change as you do, over time.

— Samuel is a Melbourne-based interior stylist and the founder and curator ofย Kitsch pleaseย — Australiaโ€™s first dedicated online marketplace for buying and selling vintage homewares and furniture.ย 

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

๐Ÿ“ท @tanikablair_photography 

#interiorsblog #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #gemmapeanut #wedonthavetimeforthis #parentingpodcast #parentingpodcasts #holidayhousesofinstagram #cabaritabeach #airbnbstyle #airbnbstyling #colourandpattern #wallpapergoals #patternedtiles #featuretiles #poolgoals #sparkjoy #yocabacaba #boldinteriors #funinteriors #colourfulkitchen
Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial Not many friends in life fall into the unofficial family category and they're a special gift. So ends three weeks with @danisteve81 who left her husband and son in the UK (I'm forever grateful they lent her to me!) to come and cheer me up and help me in the most practical ways after I spent Christmas and New Year in hospital. There were tears and I miss her so much already but how amazing to have had all that time together as adults. Such a rare treat and would never have happened without having been through something so challenging. Silver linings and all that. So many other friends have also been incredibly thoughtful and kind. There aren't many times I'd say this without cringing but I am 100% blessed!

I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
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