Old things have recently gained more and more popularity. Even new furniture and home decor are artificially aged to achieve 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 every person heard this word on TV or met on the Internet, for example, in the description of things. Used vintage style in the interior, clothing, home accessories, jewelry and jewelry. But today we dwell on the design of the premises. Features of vintage, design recommendations, photo examples - in general, all the most interesting about this unusually gentle and original style is presented in the article.
Briefly about what constitutes a design direction
Vintage style was founded in France. The word is translated into Russian into the whole sentence - “old wine stored for a long time in the cellar”. This phrase is full of meaning and best reflects the essence of the term. Indeed, many will agree with the assertion that the antiques that have been preserved since the days of our ancestors' youth, over the years become only more unique, valuable and interesting. Like, in fact, wine.
Of course, if you take the vintage style in the interior, then we are not talking about the ancient junk, which is no longer suitable for use due to its age. Vintage - these are high-quality solid things that are well preserved and can fulfill their functional duties for some time to come. Perhaps such items will require 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 one hundred years, when it comes to works of art, and at least five decades, if these are expensive household items. Elements related to vintage style, can be done by yourself. They, as a rule, do not have such great value, therefore they are sold at a low price in the so-called flea markets and by private individuals.
Salient features and important features of the vintage style in the interior
When decorating the premises, objects whose age is at least 20 years are used. These are furniture, textiles and other elements that have already served parents or grandparents. If we are talking about new furniture in a vintage style or one that was 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 from different eras. For example, you can compare the fashion of the 1930s and 1960s.
So, what is a vintage style in the interior? The photos selected for this article will help to better understand the essence of design. Vintage is lightness, comfort, beauty, simplicity and harmony in everything. It miraculously combines old and new objects. In the latter case, we are talking about the classic version of the furniture or decor. Items in vintage style have a characteristic touch of antiquity, and 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 clearly think 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 the room has only the most necessary furniture. And as a “seasoning”, textiles and various decorative elements that will continue the style and fill the interior with new colors are suitable.
Another feature is the lack of a strict framework. For example, if you look 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 traced literally in everything. The main thing is to achieve harmony.
So, you need to remember that vintage is:
- furniture worn from old age (whatnots, chests, cupboards);
- a lot of decor and textiles;
- negligence in the interior, or a natural mess;
- use of natural materials.
What color palette should be used?
For those who have studied interior styles at least a bit, 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 “worn out”. Usually it is pale pink, dirty blue and light yellow. The color scheme can be compared with another French style - Provence. The vintage also uses “faded” shades, or similar to yellowing from old age.
A vintage style interior design may include a variety of patterns and drawings, 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 barely noticeable bloom of yellowness from old age.
Vintage wall decoration
Before considering the preferred options, it is worth noting immediately that such a design does not tolerate the use of modern materials. For example, plastic and synthetics in those days, to which the vintage will lead us, did not exist yet, therefore, they are strictly forbidden to use in decoration. Otherwise, the situation will look at least vulgar. It is also worth excluding the possibility of using suspended ceilings, carpet, linoleum and laminate. If there will be modern elements in the interior, they must correspond to the general concept so as not to spoil the immediacy of vintage. The advantage is given to natural materials like wood, stone and metal.
As most photos show, in the interior in a vintage style, wallpapers are most often used for wall decoration. This material can be monophonic or contain various kinds of patterns. You can also stick wallpaper for painting. Here again, it is worth drawing a resemblance to Provence, since the main task of all finishing materials is to become the backdrop for furniture and decor.
The color of the walls can be pale gray, pale blue, beige or just white. It is possible to finish with wood or brick, which is usually just covered with whitewash. They also specifically make chips, cracks and bumps, which are an authentic nuance in this interior style.
Vintage Style Floor and Ceiling Guidelines
Here, the finish 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 on the ceiling. The floor can be laid with parquet, stone or tile, which also requires a certain conformity, that is, they must be naturally or artificially aged.
Features of the choice of furniture
This is perhaps the most important part, requiring increased attention and good thought out of every little thing. Furniture in the interior has a very large weight, as it is the basis of any room. How to choose her right? For the interior of rooms in vintage style, you need to find furniture that will meet the following requirements:
- age not less than 20 years;
- a decent look, that is, so that it does not crumble before our eyes;
- preserved 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 elements, velvet upholstery and so on.
It is very important that all the furniture in the room belongs to one chosen era! In other words, one should not combine objects, 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 this or that 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
A variety of objects are used as jewelry. They should complement the vintage style in the interior of an apartment or house, be a continuation of the plan. Among the most preferred decorative elements are such items:
- clock;
- mirrors;
- vases, small figurines and beautiful candlesticks;
- paintings in stylized baguettes;
- frames with photographs and pictures hanging on the walls;
- caskets, chests for things;
- many textile items: rugs, napkins, bedspreads, curtains and so on;
- screens;
- an old cloth mannequin in clothes that was fashionable in those days;
- floor, table, wall and ceiling lamps with lampshades;
- upholstery for furniture made of soft fabric;
- even old objects, the purpose of which is not known for certain, will do.
Lighting devices can be not only in lamp shades. Also used are electric candle holders with candles, wrought iron street lamps, floor lamps, industrial-style appliances and so on.
Textiles are selected natural, that is, silk, cotton, linen, chintz or calico. It should have a pleasant 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.
Vintage living room decoration examples
This is not to say that the design of the room will be simple. Much needs to be taken into account in order to achieve harmony and a pleasant combination of all objects, from furniture to small accessories. If you want to try to decorate the interior in vintage style with your own hands, you need to regularly replenish inspiration. The best option for this is to view examples in the photo.
To decorate the walls 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 armchairs should be plain. You can put a cabinet with a glazed facade, an old sideboard, fashionable at a certain time. There is no place for plasma and other modern equipment such as a router, a DVD-receiver and a TV set-top box, as they will disturb the balance in the design of the room.
Vintage bedroom interior
In this room the main has always been, is and will be a bed. She, like other elements of furniture, is selected antique. It is recommended to look at the options with a forged headboard. The bed is decorated with pillows with embroidered pillowcases, quilts and knitted bedspreads. It is allowed to use a canopy of light fabric in soft colors. Also in the bedroom you can put an old dressing table, which will replace a modern dressing table. To replace the bedside tables come stools or old chairs with a high back. The hanger-tripod and wardrobe will perfectly complement the design idea.
Vintage-style kitchen: photos and description
The main difficulty is the combination of old kitchen utensils and modern household appliances. The interior of the kitchen in vintage style 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, which can produce a positive effect, for example, a samovar, an old kettle, “blown” dishes. Textile items complement the interior: bright curtains on the windows with ruffles and frills, delicate tablecloths, knitted napkins. Cabinets are open or with a glazed facade, where you can put ceramic dishes or painted plates, which will become an additional decoration of the most comfortable room in the house. The French vintage kitchen interior is the best solution for those who want to get the most out of the atmosphere.
Will it be possible to design a bathroom in a vintage style?
In Italy, it is customary to install the bath in the center of the room. And although vintage came to us from France, in this case we should do the same, that is, abandon the classic arrangement of sanitary ware along the walls. But this, of course, if squares allow.
They choose an elegant bath, it can have forged legs and handrails. Here, gilding is generously used, starting with plumbing trim and ending with decor. However, you should stick to a light color palette. Tiles on the floor and on the walls (if provided) are laid out obliquely. It is desirable that she was as if worn out from old age. The interior will be complemented by copper taps and various decorative elements. For example, a mirror in a carved frame, paintings in frames, various bath accessories.
Vintage is an ingenious simplicity that makes it easy, warm and comfortable. Although in the modern world arranging with old things is quite difficult, given the abundance of household appliances, you can still cope with this.