Easy Vintage Style

From the big screen to small, from theatres to magazines, ever popular vintage interiors are here to stay. We give you five ideas on how to repurpose vintage objects, display curated collections and inject some vintage style into your home.

Collectors Corner: We love the idea of creating a distinctive display for your vintage ephemera by emulating a Victorian explorers study. Pinning up found photographs and old-world illustrations keeps your desk tidy and on display for everyone to see whilst mismatched old school-desks and storage drawers found at salvage stores like Retrouvious add a playful feel to the mix. Trailing foliage and 18th century mirrors add a touch of romanticism. Try Lassco for similar styles.

(retrouvius.com)
(lassco.com)

Playing with Colour: The best thing about decorating with vintage pieces are the charming retro graphics and vibrant colours of yesteryear at your fingertips. We love how vintage boardgames have been taken out of their packaging and displayed to their full potential creating a fun décor scheme in a children's room. This also works as a way to store the toys when they are not in use. Try Alfies Antiques Market in London for an array of colourful children’s ephemera.

(alfiesantiques.com)

Old Made New: Think outside the box with vintage items which can be turned into functional pieces for everyday use in your home. The side of this old suitcase has simply been fixed to the wall, instantly turning it into a storage cabinet for bathroom objects. Try the same trick in a bedroom fixing it to the wall horizontally and use it as a bedside table as well as storage for night-time items. Try Sudbury Antiques market in Sudbury for a selection of vintage suitcases.

(sunburyantiques.com)

Kitchen Display: Vintage kitchenware is one of the most fun items to collect and flea markets are abundant with covetable designs. We think the idea of sticking to one colourway is a great way to focus your kitchenware collection and creates a bold and attractive display. We also love the idea of using bold modern colours to set off your pieces like this sunny yellow and teal combination. Try "Drogo Yellow" from Fired Earths National Trust collection and "Forest Falls 02" from Dulux for the perfect contrast.

(dulux.co.uk)
(firedearth.com)

Secret Garden: There is nothing more magical than an arrangement of vintage mirrors in the garden to create a quirky installation bringing traditionally indoor accessories outside. Play about by mixing and matching styles and sizes. Mirrors also work to give the impression of a larger space and reflect the plants and greenery making any outdoor space feel lush and abundant. Try The Old Cinema in Chiswick for similar mirrors.

(theoldcinema.co.uk)

© 2012 Dalani Home & Living - written by Rohini Wahi
Photos courtesy of Design Sponge Blog, Narratives/ Brent Darby, Loupe Images/ Ryland Peters & Small.