What is a vintage style?

Classics, modernism, minimalism, Provence, eclecticism - each style of interior has characteristic features and its own energy that distinguishes it from all others. The atmosphere that the style broadcasts is hardly the most important moment in creating the interior. The refined aristocracy of the past, touching, spirituality and romance make vintage in the interior recognizable and beloved by many.

Signs of a vintage style in the interior

To create a true vintage style in the interior of your apartment, you need to understand that he accepts and which categorically does not allow. Its features are as follows:

• natural materials in the decoration;
• original antique furniture (beginning of the twentieth century) or artificially aged;
• interior items with history and signs of wear, but retaining a decent appearance;
• symmetry and pairing of decor items, accessories and other style details;
• pastel shades, moderate and delicate; not only bright, but reserved and discreet;
• the predominance of floral motifs in the decor, on wallpaper, textiles, upholstery;
• lack of luxury in the interior, simplicity and sincerity.

Important! Despite the fact that vintage style belongs to the past, do not confuse it with retro. The main difference between these interior styles is the time interval. Vintage - this is the beginning of the twentieth century to the 20-30s, retro - 50-60s. The preference in materials also varies: vintage stands for naturalness, retro allows synthetic materials.

The color scheme of the interior in vintage style

The charm of the vintage style is largely due to the special color palette of the interior. Here, the ball is ruled by delicate, airy colors: shades of blue, lilac, pink, beige, brown, pure white. Usually, the shades in unison are selected for the main color chosen: blue is played out with different tones of gray-blue and white flowers, pink - with options of lilac, lilac, pronounced brown is complemented by delicate coffee and chocolate shades.

Vintage sofas, chairs, tables, nightstands and poufs stand out for their curved, flowing lines and convex shapes. The arrangement of furniture is of great importance: symmetry and pairing must be observed in the interior. For example, on the sides of the sofa you can arrange identical bedside tables and table lamps, decorate a table or chest of drawers with a pair of identical vases or figurines, symmetrically place paintings or panels on the wall.

Materials and finishes characteristic of a vintage interior

The decoration should use mainly natural materials: wood, stone, metal.

The walls in the interior of the vintage style are usually pasted with wallpaper with a characteristic floral pattern or painted in soft colors. All walls should be decorated in one color. Their task is to helpfully shade furnishings and stylish accessories, but not dominate the interior. The color of the walls can be pure white, beige, grayish, blue.

The ceiling should be plain, painted or whitewashed. The presence of cracks and some irregularities in the finish is a very authentic nuance of the vintage style. A wonderful decoration of the ceiling can be stucco molding. But stretch and plasterboard false ceilings such an interior strictly does not accept.

Natural parquet or tile, artificially aged or really old, is suitable for the floor. Neither laminate flooring nor carpet with vintage style are compatible.

Important! It is necessary to feel the measure in the deliberate “adding age” to the details of the vintage interior. Finishing, pieces of furniture and decor should exude refined simplicity of style, and shout about the need for urgent repairs.

Furniture in a vintage interior

The main requirements for furniture in vintage style - its belonging to the beginning of the twentieth century, noble origin and decent appearance. Each piece of furniture in the interior should reflect the spirit of its time, be original and interesting. The old, but thoroughbred appearance, the presence of scuffs, cracks, scratches is not something that is welcomed by style, but even mandatory. These are not just signs of wear. This is a whole life, rich in stories and experience.

Important! Creating an interior in vintage style is a leisurely and costly affair. Moreover, these two parameters may not “go in pairs”, but live separately. A stylish little thing found in a flea market somewhere in Austria on the occasion of a trip can cost a penny, and the main waste here will be time and search efforts. But vintage furniture made in a design studio to order will be expensive.

The interior of the bathroom and toilet is unusual for a modern person, which means in a vintage way, a toilet bowl with a high tank and a bathtub with curved legs in the form of lion paws will look. Carved cast parts, chrome or gilded pipes, ceramics and brass complete the vintage style.

Stylized household appliances, a richly decorated set with a buffet full of matching utensils, elegant bronze-colored faucets will find their place in the interior of the kitchen.

Every detail must be carefully thought out and selected. It may not be in the literal sense from the beginning of the last century, but it must necessarily correspond to the declared style and have a pronounced character. Vintage in the interior implies that the main assistant in the choice should be a sense of proportion: the ultimate goal is the creation of non-trivial interior completeness, and not an exhibition-sale in a shop junkman.

Lighting in a vintage interior

For the delicate soulfulness of a vintage style, a dim warm lighting. Soft diffused light of the main chandelier, cozy table lamps, floor lamps with floral lampshades - all these are tools to create a vintage atmosphere in the interior. No modern spotlights, rotary lights and LED lights. The materials in the fixtures use natural ones - wood, metal, fabric on lampshades.

Vintage decor

The main meaning and completeness of the vintage interior is given by decor elements. These include:

1. Mirrors
2. Clock.
3. Paintings in antique or stylized frames.
4. Vases, figurines, candlesticks.
5. Caskets.
6. Photos on the wall and on the shelves.
7. Napkins, bedspreads, rugs, towels and other textiles.
8. Stylish lampshades, covers.
9. Curtains and curtains.
10. Screens and stuff.

The pairedness and symmetry of the arrangement are also relevant in the case of decor. The same size framed photos are located on the table, similar lace napkins adorn the tables, decorative plates, medallions and panels on the walls are arranged in pairs.

Even obvious idiots play a role in a beautiful story called “vintage style”. This role may be played by:

• a long-idle typewriter, which nonetheless occupies an honorable place on the nightstand or secretary;
• exquisite powder box on the dressing table;
• a mannequin with a carelessly thrown peignoir of an old-fashioned cut;
• pharmacy banks and gizmos of unclear purpose;
• a handful of miniature watches in a beautiful table vase, long ceased to count the running of time.

Any detail of the interior makes its contribution to the romantic vintage mood, adds shades of meaning to it.

Such an interior has comfort and tranquility. Both the tired heart of romance and the authoritarian bossy person will find rest in a touching and warm vintage interior. In our time of boiling passions and insane rhythm of life, it is so important to know that at the end of the day you can go where there is no place for pragmatic calculations and cold logic, you do not need to rush and worry. You can calm down and enjoy poetry in vintage style.