Get a vintage look in your modern home

Respect your home’s character

A modern home often has a crisp, simple and minimalist feel. But what if you like antiques, too? How can you incorporate older and vintage pieces within it? The trick is to work with and accentuate your home’s natural feel and character, rather than try to redefine it.

Focus on accessorising the home with some strategically placed older pieces. In other words, avoid changing essential fixtures and features.

A simple yet effective way you can inject a bit of warmth and depth into a modern home is to add an elaborate vintage framed mirror above a dining-room buffet.

Take your bathroom to a whole new level of elegance with a classic footed stand-alone tub, a marble or mahogany vanity cabinet or a vintage candle collection.

Perhaps cluster a collection of vases of similar colour and material (say, glass) on a hallway table or floating shelf. Or you could frame vintage monochrome or sepia photos in crisp modern frames and display them as a series or collection.

If you’re going to make a statement, make it big

If you have a larger antique item you want to include in your home, don’t be afraid to use it as a style statement and focal point of the room. For instance, instantly transform a modern dining room into a conversation piece with a large ancient Persian rug. Or enhance a modern lounge-room sofa by adding two single antique-style wing chairs of complementary colour but statement design. Remember, not everything has to match – as long as it looks good together.

In the bedroom, consider vintage embossed wallpaper as an alternative to the modern bedhead. Couple this with some antique lamps on each bedside table and a few vintage cushions, and voilà! You’ve created a new style.

Go for perfection in pairs

When injecting classic or traditional pieces within a modern setting, the key is to make it appear intentional rather than clumsy. You can achieve this by always incorporating a “partner” to your vintage item within the room.

Two or more classic cushions look better than one, and vintage velvet curtains would probably look out of place in a room if there wasn’t at least one other classic piece of furniture, such as a mahogany or Edwardian-inspired coffee table to complete the look.

Don’t forget the outside

You would ultimately want your home’s style (and your personal style) to ebb and flow, and this means including the outside in your styling.

Instead of a digital doorbell, consider a heavy marine bell.

Lavender and perennial plants in the garden or in modern pots can add a vintage and traditional cottage feel to a home, while antique metalwork, such as a rusted cartwheel or watering pump can be a beautiful garden feature in your backyard.

Vintage outdoor furniture is also making a comeback – particularly wicker. See what pieces will add a touch of character to your home. When coupled with modern glass, it can make a beautiful style statement.

Whatever your style or taste, the key is to have fun with it. Ultimately, home decorating and renovating are about being purposeful, thoughtful and honest with your style while enjoying the way your home makes you feel. And if you enjoy it, your guests are bound to as well.