Let's Talk... Vintage
From what to buy (and where to find it) to how to style it so it looks like a cool and interesting room, and not the local junk shop.
This post is a written-through version of the live discussion that that Lisa Dawson and I recently hosted on all things vintage. That video was free to watch, but for those of my paying subscribers who prefer to read and/or look at pictures and have links provided in a easy clickable fashion, I have summarised it here with some additional information and ideas for you as well as my favourite places to shop and what they specialise in.
So, if you want a list of good places to buy, or just ideas on what to buy or collect, tips on how to style it and anything else, then sign up –if you haven’t already – and get stuck in. As you know, a paid sub also gives you access to the whole, big (huge) archive of previous posts as well as the chance to ask me your own decorating dilemmas at my monthly Drop-in Design Clinic.
This series Let’s Talk… will be a regular paid post, following on from the new free On The House monthly video that Lisa and I are hosting (the next one is Friday 16 May when we will be talking about lighting). Free subs will be able to attend the live and ask questions or watch it back afterwards as it will be sent out free for everyone. Paid subs will get the written-through version with links, pictures and a slightly more considered take on the subject, as well as anything I forgot to say on the live!
So if you want to know why you should choose vintage, what to buy, where to find it, when to haggle (spoiler – not often) and how to style it, read on. But before we start, a reminder that the schedule for the new October retreat (3rd-7th) are on the website. We need a minimum of eight sign-ups to run it and there are currently four, so if you have been pondering, now’s the moment to jump in.
Right, on with the vintage – and first things first:
EXACTLY HOW OLD IS VINTAGE?
Let’s just clear this up once and for all:
Antique is generally something that is 100 years old or more.
Vintage is usually over 20 years, and can be up to about 50.
Modern is usually early to mid 20th Century (now, of course, also antique!) but characterised by cleaner lines and more minimal than, say, Victorian, which is also antique.
Mid-Century a minimal style usually made between 1940 and 1960 (originally referred to as modern!) is characterised by clean lines, simple shapes and big names (Eames, Wegner, Jacobsen, G-Plan).
Retro is usually something new that has been made in a style from the past.
Contemporary is an evolving style that is happening now and reflects current trends.
OK, now we’ve cleared that up:
WHY SHOULD WE BUY VINTAGE?
I know we know this, but I think we can’t emphasise it too much given the constant siren song from social media telling us about all the shiny new things that are out there.
We are surrounded by trends and new stuff and are constantly being encouraged to shop and God knows I LOVE to shop. I do and yes it DOES make me happy (capitals for the benefit of husband) but if we buy vintage, antique and pre-loved we get all the thrill of the shop with the added satisfaction of knowing we are giving something new life, rather than adding to the mountain of badly-made generic cheap stuff.
All of which makes it sustainable. Buying vintage is giving a new home to something that already exists. Something that might have been headed to landfill. Something made from a tree that was probably cut down a long time ago and already there are several established trees in its place.
Vintage brings character to your home in a way that no modern piece can. It will have a patina of age, or a dent or a curve that only comes from use. While some contemporary wooden furniture is well made, vintage pieces were always designed to be repaired and to be mendable. Sofas can be reupholstered and recovered, tables can be sanded down, chair legs tightened or replaced and the seats repaired.
In short, if you’re about buying furniture for life not just for trend and you want to make a home that is unique to you, read on for all the tips on where to buy, how to navigate the big websites, when to haggle and, of course, styling.