Caxton magazines staffIntroducing quality vintage, retro or heirloom pieces to a more modern space is a wonderful way to add character and originality to a home
Neutral ground
Mid-Century timber furniture brings a warmth and sense of history to a room, and sometimes one piece is all you need to make a statement. Keep the look quietly sleek with a mix of neutral softs and spice it up with accents of glass, copper or ceramics.
“Great vintage items are often things you stumble upon,” says Andrea Kleinloog of Anatomy Design. “They definitely add memories and character to what could otherwise be a sterile environment. My advice is to visit second-hand stores often, as their stock turns over quickly.”
Shelf life
Curating mini still lives of your favourite things is a great way to personalise a space and work with existing items. A good starting point is to look at your accessories again and group them into loose themes – whether it’s a similar palette like black and white, or groupings of collected ceramics, vintage family photographs or coloured glassware.
Geometry major
Nothing says retro like bold geometric prints, and choosing fabrics or wallpapers in a vivid palette is a great foil for modern, clean-lined shapes. Keep the busyness to a couple of key areas, and counter with monochrome accents of timber and glass.
“Mid-Century furniture is appealing for a lot of reasons, not only for its sense of history, but for the simple, clean lines and superior craftsmanship,” says Anikesh Ramani of vintage store Modernist. “If well looked after, they can easily last another 50 years, and you can’t say that of many items made today.”
Colour clash
Part of the joy of vintage crockery is the abundance of colour and pattern, whether it’s traditional roses or more quirky illustrative styles. Mix and match in any colours you choose – it’s a welcome change from white on white.
