I have a life long love affair with antiques going on. Maybe because I was fortunate enough to grow up around antique pieces and items in our home that had been passed down through the generations. I am drawn to the dimension, personality, and sense of history that antique accents can lend to a space. I also love clean contemporary interiors. But I love them most when peppered with antique accents.
You don’t have to go crazy in your local antique mall now, but if you’re looking to inject character into your interior spaces, I have five simple ways to do just that.
1. Try a rug. I’m not necessarily thinking a Downton Abbey-esque room sized antique rug that you would need a small fortune to procure. 🙂 Antique rugs in an accent size are pretty easy to find and won’t break the bank. I have just that in my foyer…
It’s taken a licking and kept on looking good… in fact, I think I love it more as it continues to age. This belonged to my grandmother, but I’ve seen similar ones in my local antique malls and at the once-monthly antique shows, all at pretty reasonable prices. And look at how a small antique rug in this sparkling new bathroom adds just the perfect layer of warmth and color.
2. Hang it on your walls. And by “it” I mean just about anything antique or vintage. It could be a whole wall of paintings you’ve collected over time.
Or it could be a vintage dessert plate from your grandmother’s stash, like I used in my guest room makeover.
There really are no rules when it comes to wall decor. Frame a letter from a treasured relative or immigration papers from your ancestors. Mount your uncle’s army sabor or an old oar from your childhood lake retreat. If you can hang it it counts as wall decor. And if you’re like me, the more unique the object, the more appealing it is.
3. Pop in a silver piece. Most people rarely use their family silver anymore. While I think it’s a shame from a sentimental standpoint, it just might not be practical for today’s families. But, I love a pretty antique piece of silver used for a vase, to corral kitchen utensils, or serve as a succulent planter.
If you have a small collection of silver pieces, even better… the impact is much greater when they’re all grouped together.
And — on a sad note — many families are unloading their silver and silver plate these days. It’s very easy to find at antique shops, flea markets, and even thrift stores. Polish it up, or leave it tarnished for greater patina. Whatever appeals to you.
4. Book it. As a self-proclaimed book worm, it’s hard for me to resist antique and vintage books especially. Even if you have no intention of reading them, the character and colors of the antique and vintage book covers shows craftsmanship that no longer exists. Display a few or fill an entire book shelf with them.
I’m amazed at the valuable and beautiful tomes I find on the shelves of thrift stores! Church thrift stores in particular usually have a marvelous selection. Flip through the pages and you never know what you’ll find! Ticket stubs, love notes, recipes tucked inside and forgotten. It’s a journey by itself to look through an antique book.
5. A statement piece of furniture. Don’t be so quick to refuse Aunt Dottie’s spool bed or Grandpa Joe’s chest on chest. Sometimes all a room needs is one statement piece to finish the entire space. My grandmother’s buffet does just that for my dining room.
Not only does it have beautiful lines and a pretty good finish on it still, it has incredible storage capacity! Silver, linens, china, serving pieces, candle sticks, even some holiday decor. 🙂
Don’t let the initial purpose of the piece hinder you. Get creative, search Pinterest for ideas of how to repurpose antique pieces to fit your needs. Dressers become vanities, beds become benches, trunks become coffee tables and end tables, desks become bedside tables. And buffets become kitchen islands.
The beauty of incorporating antique accents into your home’s decor is not just in the aesthetic and character they bring, but it’s also in their redemption. You’re saving a piece from the landfill and using eco-friendly sensibility when you decorate with antique accents. That’s just a bonus, right?
See more of my home decor DIYs and inspiration at Decor & More.
