Los Angeles Antiques Show – Photo Courtesy: Deidre Woollard
Be inspired by vintage looks and antique furnishings.
Thrift Furniture
Go to your nearest bric-a-brac, garage sale or flea market for some really great bargains. Search through eBay for a fabulous find. Or head to an antique dealers to put a bid on a luxurious and rare item.
Search for rare, genuine, one-of-a-kind item that you wouldn’t be able to buy on the high street. But don’t pay for bad quality; always check that the item is in good condition unless you intend to repair it.
Chairs & Sofas
A great item for anyone’s home, a vintage chair can really give your house a touch of elegance. Gorgeous French chairs that remind you of the aristocracy and retro 60s bubble chairs. There’s a vintage chair for everyone, and every home.
Antique Mirrors
A great way to bring light into your house, an antique mirror has so much personality. The frames are often the most beautiful styles, with fancy finishes. Put them anywhere: a hallway, above a fireplace, by your bedside table, the bathroom. These vintage mirrors are a stylish way of filling wall space.
Cushions
Cushions can give a house a very comfortable and warm atmosphere. Put them on everything. You can buy a variety of vintage inspired printed cushions on your local high street. But, how about making your own cushions by finding some gorgeous vintage fabric?
If you want to give your contemporary decor a bit of a vintage feel, then cushions are definitely a great way to start. Choose some cushion shapes that are really reminiscent of times gone by.
Telephones
One of the trendiest vintage items you can own in your home is an antique telephone. You can of course buy an actual antique, or you can buy a fully functioning replica. They are such a statement, and there’s a vintage phone for every home.
Crockery
Look for chintzy floral prints, and beautiful hand painted china to add an elegant touch to your kitchen table. Buy a matching set from a vintage store, find a replica vintage-inspired set or make a mix and match set from beautiful pieces in your nearest thrift furniture store.
Big plates, small mugs, egg cups, utensils; Vintage crockery is beautiful to eat from, as well as display, but make sure you don’t put it in your dishwasher!
Vintage Bedding
Big eiderdowns, bed covers and blankets make for a comfortable night’s sleep. Just make sure to give everything a good wash and airing before you use it in your own house, to get rid of any stale smells.
Search for rare prints, thick fabrics and good quality/good price blankets and bedspreads. Any item with hand embroidery is a really great purchase because hand stitched anything is very expensive in today’s market.
